🌟 Introduction: When Interior Design Becomes a Mirror of the Soul
Have you ever walked into a space that immediately made you feel grounded, inspired, or at peace? That’s the power of intentional design—where your home becomes more than just a structure, but a soulful expression of who you are.
In this special Q&A from the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, we explore the philosophy that luxury isn’t about price—it’s about presence, purpose, and peace. Our guest, Kim DePaul—a celebrated interior designer, artist, and lifelong meditator—explains how interior design can support emotional wellbeing and self-discovery.
Whether you’re an interior enthusiast or someone seeking a more meaningful connection with your space, these questions will guide you to create Interiors for Wellbeing, rooted in intentionality and inner peace.
🔹 Context:
1. What does it mean when we say, “Your home tells your story”?
To introduce the core concept that our living spaces mirror our inner state and emotional journey.
2. What is intentional design, and how is it different from traditional interior design?
To define intentionality in design, focusing on emotional alignment, not just aesthetics or trends.
3. How do mindset and emotional wellbeing influence interior design?
To highlight the two-way relationship between your internal emotional state and the energy of your home.
4. What role does layout and spatial energy play in designing for wellbeing?
To explain how spatial planning affects flow, emotional balance, and energetic harmony.
5. Can you explain the Japanese philosophy of Tokoroa and how it relates to home design?
To bring in a deeper cultural and spiritual context that ties space with states of being and mindfulness.
6. How do you balance elegance with ease in a luxurious home?
To explore how real luxury lies in comfort, peace, and emotional elegance, not just visual design.
7. What’s one non-negotiable in every mindful, intentional home?
To offer readers a guiding principle they can apply regardless of budget, style, or space.
8. How can someone start designing more mindfully, even without a big budget?
To make intentional design accessible and emphasize that transformation starts with awareness.
9. What’s the connection between enlightenment and interior design?
To position interior design as a form of inner work and emotional healing, not just creative styling.
10. What’s the legacy of designing with intention?
To conclude by illustrating how intentional design leaves a lasting impact on emotional growth and personal evolution.
1. What does it mean when we say, “Your home tells your story”?
Answer:
Your home is a physical manifestation of your inner world. Every object, color, layout, and scent communicates how you feel about yourself and your life. As Kim DePaul shares, intentional design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about aligning your outer environment with your inner energy.
If your space feels chaotic, it may reflect internal unrest. If it feels calm and curated, it often mirrors clarity. Your home tells a story, not just to others, but to yourself. By designing consciously, you start to live more consciously.
2. What is intentional design, and how is it different from traditional interior design?
Answer:
Traditional design often focuses on trends, visual appeal, or resale value. Intentional design, however, focuses on how a space makes you feel. It asks questions like:
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Does this room support my peace of mind?
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Is the energy here calming or stimulating?
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Are the materials grounding or distracting?
As Kim puts it, intentional design is sensory and emotional. It means choosing elements not just because they’re beautiful, but because they serve your lifestyle, values, and energy.
3. How do mindset and emotional wellbeing influence interior design?
Answer:
According to Kim, your mindset affects your space, and your space, in turn, affects your mindset. If you’re feeling anxious or emotionally scattered, you may unconsciously accumulate clutter or neglect certain areas. On the other hand, when you’re intentional and centered, you naturally design spaces that feel supportive and nourishing.
By making mindset a part of your design process, you create rooms that act as emotional sanctuaries—places where you can reset, reflect, and return to yourself.
4. What role does layout and spatial energy play in designing for wellbeing?
Answer:
Layout isn’t just about where things go—it’s about how energy flows. Kim uses what she calls a “room scan” technique to assess how each area feels energetically. Is the room breathing? Are there spaces to pause, move, and connect?
A good layout facilitates flow—not just physical, but emotional and mental as well. It can reduce stress, enhance focus, and make you feel held. Thoughtful placement of furniture, lighting, and décor allows energy to circulate without creating tension.
5. Can you explain the Japanese philosophy of Tokoroa and how it relates to home design?
Answer:
Kim draws inspiration from Japanese wisdom, especially the concept of Tokoroa, which views space not just as physical, but as a state of being. It’s the idea that we don’t just occupy rooms, we inhabit them energetically.
When you apply Tokoroa to interior design, you begin to design with emotion, intention, and soul. You ask: What is this room’s purpose? What mood should it evoke? What does this space need to help me feel whole?
6. How do you balance elegance with ease in a luxurious home?
Answer:
“Luxury should never feel rigid,” Kim says. In her view, true luxury is sensual, cozy, and emotionally intelligent. It combines textures, layers, and lighting in a way that invites you to sink in, not just show off.
To balance elegance with ease, she recommends:
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Using natural, tactile materials
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Mixing modern minimalism with warm accents
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Including soft lighting and breathable layouts
The goal is to create a space where grace meets grounding.
7. What’s one non-negotiable in every mindful, intentional home?
Answer:
For Kim, the non-negotiable is emotional flow. Every room must feel emotionally coherent. Whether it’s a living room or a bathroom, it should tell you, “You belong here. You are safe here.”
She emphasizes clear surfaces, natural light, and intentional corners where the soul can rest. A mindful home always considers how it feels to live in, not just how it looks.
8. How can someone start designing more mindfully, even without a big budget?
Answer:
You don’t need to hire a designer or renovate everything. You can begin by asking:
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Which items bring me joy?
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Where in my home do I feel most relaxed?
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What color or scent makes me feel at peace?
Then, start removing things that feel heavy or unnecessary. Rearrange your space. Add a soft light. Bring in a scent you love. Mindful design begins with awareness and grows through intention—not spending.
9. What’s the connection between enlightenment and interior design?
Answer:
Kim believes that the home is a spiritual space. “It’s your sacred ground,” she says. Whether you’re religious or not, you need places that restore your soul. That’s why she incorporates symbols like the lotus flower, elemental colors, and sacred geometry into her designs.
Design, in this context, becomes healing. It’s not about impressing guests, it’s about inviting your spirit to relax, play, and evolve.
10. What’s the legacy of designing with intention?
Answer:
A home designed with intention becomes a timeless expression of your truth. It grows with you, reflects your emotional evolution, and gives back more than it takes. It tells your story, not just to the outside world, but to your future self.
Kim ends the conversation with a powerful reminder:
“The home isn’t just a place, it’s a partner in your healing journey.”
🏡 Final Thoughts: Design Isn’t Decoration, It’s Devotion
Your home doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It just needs to feel like you.
Through this intimate and insightful Q&A with Kim DePaul, we’re reminded that intentional design is a gateway to inner peace, emotional healing, and spiritual depth. If you want to feel more grounded, more inspired, and more alive—start with where you live.