OUR APPROACH TO DESIGN: THE ART OF MEANINGFUL LIVING
In a world that demands a fast pace, the creatives at Studio Thomas are keenly aware that meaningful living is often hiding in moments of stillness. We find depth when we slow down – intentionally choosing what we consume, who we share our time with, and how we spend our days.
At Studio Thomas, we refer to this philosophy as The Art of Meaningful Living. We believe that every day should be lived with intention, and your home is no exception. Home is where life unfolds, a place meant to ground us and improve our well-being.
The Art of Meaningful Living is built upon three unique pillars – The Hand, The Eye, and The Heart – each representing our approach to design. These pillars are what guide every decision we make throughout our design process. The Hand is rooted in classic interior design principles and hardy craftsmanship. The Eye represents the merge of our client’s perspective on life and Studio Thomas’ artistic perspective. The Heart is where emotional design comes into play, adding depth and soul to the environment. When these three pillars work in harmony with each other, we create The Art of Meaningful Living. For us, we know great design goes beyond beautiful aesthetics; it’s about creating luxurious spaces that enhance wellbeing, reflect the individuality of our client, and ultimately stand the test of time.
THE HAND | FOUNDATION + CRAFTSMANSHIP
In the design world, gaining a mastery of the fundamentals is crucial. Once you understand the rules, that’s when you can start bending them, creating something that feels uniquely yours.
The Hand represents what design is built upon; it’s the study of what works and why. It’s a metaphor for the foundational elements of design, ones that the untrained eye might overlook, but an expert will recognize immediately. Design isn’t just instinct; it’s instinct that’s been refined through rigorous study of and experience using tried and true principles.
Before a sketch is drawn or an art piece is selected, each of the Studio Thomas creatives pauses to consider what your space needs. We examine the seven principles of design – balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, repetition, proportion, and white space – and carefully determine how to apply each principle to your environment. Maybe it’s increasing the natural lighting by lengthening the windows in your great room. Or perhaps it's emphasizing the century-old marble flooring through neutral-coloured plaster walls. Each decision comes from a deep respect for timeless craftsmanship, the enduring doctrine that underpins every choice we make. We respect the rules before we reinvent them.
The Hand is intentional and exact. It’s our starting point and represents tried and true principles. Our team has mastered these rules by taking notes from centuries of design and art history, not to repeat our predecessors, but to build on those philosophies.
THE EYE | AN ARTISTIC PERSPECTIVE
Our second pillar, The Eye, is an artistic perspective. It’s the way we see the world and how that interpretation shapes the way we create designs. It's a balanced blend of informed and instinctive, a practiced way of observing colour, art, architecture, light, and culture with intention, and learning how to weave these details into our designs.
The Eye also draws on your perspective, understanding why you are drawn to certain textures or colours, and understanding how those preferences can be expressed in your home. We take time to merge these viewpoints, honoring your unique point of view while also bringing in our refined, artistic vision.
“The goal is always that a space represents our client, but through a refined, artistic lens.”
Every project begins with understanding who you are at your core by first interpreting your inspirations, experiences, and routines. We then translate those into thoughtful design elements that feel authentic to who you are, while also elevating your well-being. We’ll ask questions like:
What inspires you?
How do you want to feel in your home?
What objects or places are you drawn to again and again?
“If we can understand what gives our clients calmness, or what excites them, then we can design a space that truly supports their wellbeing.”
Our goal is to see you, to understand not just how you live, but how you want to live. Because every element in a home – texture, artwork, light – all carry a quiet influence on your emotional wellbeing, shaping how you feel day to day. The Eye allows the creatives at Studio Thomas to not only create beautiful spaces but also curate environments that are attuned to the people who live in them.
THE HEART | EMOTION + WELLBEING
While the hand is rooted in tried and true principles and the eye brings an artistic perspective, the heart incorporates emotional design. This is where our design plans shift from how your home looks to how it feels.
To accomplish this, we consider every detail, colour, lighting, materialism, and how to engage the five senses. We intentionally layer these elements to shape the overall mood of your home. The creatives at Studio Thomas design for real life, for quiet rituals, family moments, and small, everyday experiences. Maybe it’s a tea station that invites slow, meaningful mornings. Or maybe it’s taking into consideration how natural light will filter in softly across the great room. Or maybe it’s a certain tactile fabric that is suitable for a beloved family dog.
Incorporating personal memories is also essential to creating an environment that feels meaningful to you. The creatives at Studio Thomas know the best designs are layered, not just with things, but with meaning. As Kristen has said, “You should live with what you love.” Your home should reflect the people who live inside and tell your story with intentional details. This could be a framed handwritten note from your grandma, a shadowbox of your baby’s clothes, or a commissioned painting of the building where you were married. It’s intricacies like these that create a space that is profoundly yours.
Our designers like to say, “We are the architects of living.” We understand not only how our clients want to live, but what they need from their home to feel their best.
No two lives are the same, and no two homes should be either. The heart is about how to purposefully incorporate emotional design, ultimately creating environments that reflect who you are and who you are striving to be each day.
THE ART OF MEANINGFUL LIVING:
When these three pillars come together, they create the foundation of the Studio Thomas philosophy: The Art of Meaningful Living.
The Hand provides structure.
The Eye brings an artistic perspective.
The Heart brings soul.
Our Founder and Principal Designer, Kristen Thomas, has been in the luxury design realm for over a decade and crafted this unique process when designing environments for our clients. She understood that the harmony of technical skill, artistic intuition, and emotional depth creates seamless designs that are both elevated and personal. The Art of Meaningful Living invites a slower, more intentional way of life, one that is grounded in wellness and meaning.
Our goal is to see you, to understand not just how you live, but how you want to live. We know that every element in a home quietly shapes how you feel day to day. If you’re ready to live with more meaning, we’d love to help you begin.
