STRUCTURED WARMTH: WHERE SILHOUETTES AND LINES MEET
In interior design, the most powerful elements are often the most overlooked. Take line theory for example, it is a foundational design principle that creates movement, defines boundaries, and shapes the overall emotional experience of a room. At Studio Thomas, our philosophy of structured warmth is grounded in the intentional use of lines and materials and how the two work together to shape emotion.
“Line in interior design is a fundamental element that creates a sense of flow and movement, defining spaces and adding visual focus throughout a room”
Every environment we curate tells its own unique story, and we use lines as our unseen narrator, a silent guide. They guide your eye, define zones, and communicate mood. The use of these lines impacts how we feel in a space. It’s usually subtle, your eye will intuitively follow the shapes around you. That’s the natural power of line. Whether seen or implied, lines impact the emotion within a room. Different types of lines communicate these emotions:
Horizontal lines convey calm, ease, and stability. Think low-slung sofas, expansive tables, or long open shelving.
Vertical lines suggest strength and formality. Often seen in floor-to-ceiling drapes, tall cabinetry, or paneled walls.
Curved lines bring in softness, femininity, and flow. From arched windows to rounded furniture silhouettes.
Diagonal lines energize and suggest movement. Often found in architectural elements like staircases or angled ceilings.
“When you’re putting together a space, you have to follow the lines — both invisible and seen. It’s the difference between a room that merely functions and a space that feels right.”
We often refer to lines as masculine or feminine in design — not in terms of gender, but in the qualities of energy they evoke. Masculine lines are typically straight and structural, offering a sense of strength and grounding. Feminine lines, on the other hand, are softer and more curved, introducing warmth and movement. At Studio Thomas, we believe timeless design lives in the tension between these opposing forces. A space feels balanced when strength meets softness. You’ll see this duality in arched doorways that soften a paneled room, or a curved chair set beside a linear fireplace. These lines play off one another, creating a space that feels layered, intentional, and complete.
A line’s strengths pull though when paired with material, which is often where we incorporate line. Each material and element has a silhouette, temperature, a mood… it’s not just what you see visually, it's also about what you sense when you walk into a room.
No. 026 Bar Room Doorway
“The materialism that we use — how do things feel? This bleeds into our six elements of design,” Kristen says. “Wood brings in warmth. Metal brings in structure. Glass does the same. Life — like plants — brings in warmth. We are constantly playing between the yin and yang.”
When you pair the right material with the right line, cohesion and balance become evident. Our design team will often use these six elements to amplify the emotions we want to bring out. For instance, a floor-to-ceiling drape in linen doesn’t just pull the eye upward, it also softens the vertical walls with tactile warmth.
Next time you walk into a room, pause. Where do your eyes naturally go? What do you feel? Try to notice the lines, the curve of a chair, or rise of a window. Design is in the details. We incorporate structured warmth into every environment we create. When every line is considered and every material chosen with intention, a space becomes alive with depth. For us, that’s the essence of less, but better. It’s not about doing more, but about doing it with intention.
Wood brings warmth, earthiness, and natural imperfection.
Metal introduces strength, edge, and structure.
Stone grounding weight and timelessness.
Glass reflects light, creating movement and openness.
Textiles (like linen or bouclé) soften spaces and invite touch.
Plants offer life, imperfection, and a sense of breath.
