What does it really mean to live in a luxurious and intentional space? Is luxury merely about price tags and high-end furnishings, or could it be something more soulful, something that resonates with our inner peace?
In this week’s episode of the Luxury Unplugged podcast, we welcome Kim Dep—celebrated interior designer, artist, and lifelong meditator—who takes us on a profound journey of redefining luxury through mindfulness, emotion, and inner connection. With decades of experience creating serene sanctuaries in New York, Paris, and beyond, Kim shares the magic that happens when design meets depth.
If you’ve ever felt curious about how your living space can become a sanctuary of healing, purpose, and elegance, this conversation is for you.
The Essence of Intentional Luxury
Before you even lay eyes on a luxury chandelier or imported rug, luxury begins as a feeling. As Kim shares:
“Luxury to me is experiential. It’s sensual. It’s a combination of many elements… where you feel secure and peaceful. When you open that door, turn the key, and you are home.”
For Kim, luxury isn’t about excess or opulence. It’s about emotional resonance. It’s the feeling of thick, plush carpeting underfoot, the way natural light diffuses through sheer drapes, or the peace that washes over you the moment you step inside your home.
This is the starting point for designing with intention—not aesthetics alone, but how a space makes you feel.
Designing from Within
One of the most compelling aspects of Kim’s design philosophy is her belief that to truly create a meaningful external space, one must first go inward.
“In order to create an exterior space, one has to go deep within,” she explains.
Her years living in Japan were foundational. There, she learned about the spiritual principle of “toko,” which she defines as the “presence and purpose of a space.” This concept reshaped how she approached design—not merely as decoration, but as an extension of the soul.
“Interior space is a state of being,” she says. “One should never underestimate the power and influence of your external environment—it affects your health, your mental state, your relationships.”
This integration of mindfulness into design is what sets Kim apart. She doesn’t simply style homes; she curates sanctuaries.
The Room Scan: A Superpower
A signature part of Kim’s approach is what she lovingly calls “the room scan.”
“It’s a superpower I’ve developed,” she laughs. “The minute I enter a space, I can read the horizon of a room dimensionally, aesthetically, spiritually.”
This scan is not about judgment or critique—it’s about tuning into the subtle energies of a space. In fact, she offers room scans via Zoom, coupled with meditation, for anyone wanting to elevate their living environment.
“It’s not imposing. So many designers impose their aesthetic on a space. This is about collaboration—helping the homeowner articulate what brings them joy.”
Beyond Aesthetics: Designing with Clients, Not For Them
Kim’s design practice centers on building deep relationships with her clients.
“It’s the most intimate of relationships,” she says. “Especially if you’re creating a space where you’ll bring children into the world—it’s sacred.”
Rather than forcing her own style, she sees herself as a collaborator and guide. And her long-term clients—some of whom she’s worked with for over 25 years—reflect the success of that philosophy.
“You need to interview who you are accepting into your home. It’s a sacred exchange.”
Her approach ensures that each project is unique, reflecting the authentic tastes, needs, and values of those who live there.
A Soulful Story from Paris
One of Kim’s most transformative projects took place in Paris—a story that beautifully illustrates her ability to blend spiritual depth with design practicality.
“I had long-time clients who had just returned from India with a rug they had no place to put,” she recalls. “They joked, ‘We’re buying an apartment in Paris just for this rug!’”
After months of searching, they settled on a space in the 1st arrondissement—two floors that were essentially a wreck. But Kim saw possibility.
“It was like a bomb had hit it,” she laughs. “But it became this exquisite project of transformation.”
Through collaboration with a French architect, layers of design, and deep meditative preparation, the space was reborn. It wasn’t just about beauty—it became a place of deep love and renewal.
“I meditated so much before they saw it. It became a soulful process for all of us.”
The One Non-Negotiable for a Mindful Home
When asked about her top design non-negotiable, Kim’s answer is strikingly simple yet powerful:
“Don’t bring anything into your home that you don’t love.”
Every object, she insists, should serve a purpose—either practical or emotional. Even if it’s an old chair that everyone else finds ugly, if it brings you joy or evokes a memory, it belongs.
“You don’t need approval. You need resonance.”
This speaks to the deeper message of her work: that your home is a mirror of your soul. The objects in it should not only serve you functionally but uplift you emotionally and spiritually.
The Balance of Elegance and Ease
So how do you create a home that is both elegant and grounding? Kim offers two key principles: editing and curation.
“Anytime I’m in a home that feels extraordinarily luxurious, it’s usually curated. Everything is considered. There’s nothing extraneous.”
Editing is about clarity. Curation is about contrast. It’s the thoughtful balance of textures, light, and space that creates harmony. She describes walking into such a home as almost “hushed”—a sign that everything flows in quiet synergy.
“There’s a sensual quality to true luxury. A layering of texture, light, and energy that makes you feel completely at peace.”
Spirituality in Design: East Meets West
Throughout our conversation, Kim’s enlightenment shines through. With roots in a large Italian Catholic family, she’s also deeply influenced by Buddhism, yoga, and Hindu philosophy.
“I’ve spent a lot of time in India. When I go there, I feel so at home.”
Her studio features both Buddha and Ganesha statues—symbols of wisdom, peace, and the removal of obstacles. Her mention of the lotus, a symbol of enlightenment in Eastern traditions, feels especially poignant.
“My favorite image is a lotus. It’s about that unfolding—layer by layer—until you get to the heart of what you want to create in your home.”
Designing Spaces That Heal
Kim closes our conversation with a story that underscores the emotional impact of her work. One of her clients, a woman who had lost everything in the fires in Hawaii and then again in the floods in North Carolina, found solace in a home Kim helped design in Westchester.
“She wrote me a thank-you note that made me cry,” Kim says, her voice soft. “She said her home feels like an embrace.”
After so much trauma, her new home became a sanctuary—a womb of healing and peace.
“That’s why I do what I do. It makes a difference in someone’s life.”
Final Reflections
Kim Dep reminds us that design is more than decoration. It’s an intimate act of self-expression, healing, and alignment. True luxury is not about what you can buy—but how deeply your space supports your soul.
So the next time you step into your home, ask yourself: Does this space feel like peace? Does it support my growth, my rest, my joy?
If not, maybe it’s time for a little room scan of your own.
Key Takeaways:
- Luxury is a feeling: It’s about emotional and sensory experiences, not just objects.
- Go within before designing without: Intentional spaces come from self-awareness and mindfulness.
- Edit with purpose: Only keep items that resonate or serve you meaningfully.
- Curate for harmony: Blend contrasts, layers, and light to create emotional resonance.
- Spirituality in design: Your space can be a sanctuary that reflects your inner peace.
- Every home has a story: Design with heart, and it becomes a healing journey.
About Kim Dep
Kim Dep is a New York-based interior designer and artist with over two decades of experience. She is known for her soulful approach to design, rooted in meditation, spiritual philosophy, and emotional resonance. From Parisian penthouses to urban sanctuaries, Kim’s work continues to redefine what it means to live beautifully and intentionally.
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