THE HEART: DESIGNING WITH EMOTION
We all carry memories that stay with us. Maybe it’s a handwritten recipe from your grandpa, the first dress your daughter ever wore, or maybe the key to your first apartment with your partner. These intrinsic details are what our homes are made of: a keepsake of memories that make us who we are and add meaning to our lives.
At Studio Thomas, we bring a distinct philosophy to every project we design. We refer to it as The Art of Meaningful Living. To us, this means slowing down, and living with intention each day - and your home is no exception.
Developed by our Founder and Principal Designer, Kristen Thomas, this philosophy is built upon three pillars: The Hand, The Eye, and The Heart. Reflecting on over a decade of experience in luxury interior design, she understood that when these pillars work in harmony with one another, the creatives at Studio Thomas can design spaces that elevate your well-being and, ultimately, feel like you.
“The way I see the world is different; that’s valid, in fact, it’s vital.”
As we’ve shared before, we understand that The Hand is rooted deeply in tried and true design principles and hardy craftsmanship, while The Eye brings a distinctly artistic perspective. And then, perhaps most importantly, there is The Heart.
THE ROLE OF THE HEART IN DESIGN
The Heart is emotional design. This is where design plans will shift from how a home looks to how your home feels. The creatives at Studio Thomas take elements such as colour, lighting, texture, materialism, and the five senses into consideration when designing with emotion. We intentionally layer these elements to shape mood and how you’ll experience your home. The Heart is about what will take place within the walls of your home. Those quiet (or not so silent) family rituals and the meals you’ll share with loved ones are about curating an environment where you can gather those you love and create those moments that become life-long memories.
EXPERIENCING DESIGN THROUGH THE FIVE SENSES
When we design, we always consider what the first impression will be: what do you see, smell, hear, touch, and even taste? We know that the essence of meaningful living isn’t about collecting more things; it’s about surrounding yourself with what brings you joy and tells your story. Design is a sensory experience, and when we intentionally engage all five of our senses, a space becomes unforgettable.
Sight is influenced by elements such as lighting and colour, setting the tone for how we perceive a space – soft or bright, grounded or expansive.
Sound comes through echoes and acoustics, the hush of a smaller room or the resonance of a great room.
Touch is found in the textures and materialism within a space – tactiles like linen, wood, and stone – all invite varying emotions and connection through the hand.
Scent weaves memories into the air – it’s why lavender reminds you of your grandma’s sitting room or why strawberry shortcake transports you back to your childhood room.
Taste lingers in the way a space invites us to gather – meals shared, glasses raised, and precious family traditions carried forward.
All our senses working together create a sensory blueprint for a meaningful home. Our senses are inseparable from memory, which is why they are at the heart of how we design.
THE POWER OF PERSONALIZED DETAILS
Incorporating personal memories into your home is essential to creating an environment that feels meaningful to you. At Studio Thomas, we have a deep understanding that the best homes are layered – not just with things, but with meaning. As Kristen has said, “You should live with things you love.” A home should reflect the people who live inside it and tell their story through intentional detail.
Personalization doesn’t need to be loud, but it should leave an impression. Some of our favorite types of personalization have included:
A shadow box of baby clothes in No. 026, preserving an early chapter for this family
A commissioned painting of the building where a couple first met
A reupholstered heirloom chair, passed down from our client’s parents
These little intricacies are deeply meaningful to our clients. Each detail creates a home that is profoundly and authentically theirs.
Our three pillars, The Hand, The Eye, and The Heart, work together to create The Art of Meaning Living. A slowed-down way of living, rooted in intention and wellness. And at the center is The Heart, where emotion and individuality converge. This is why we design.
We firmly believe that home should feel like you. If you feel ready to explore what emotional design could mean in your life, our team would love to begin that conversation with you.