Introduction: Designing from the Inside Out
Welcome to another transformational episode of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, where luxury meets intentional living and design becomes a gateway to emotional well-being.
I’m your host, Neeti Keswani, and today we explore the sacred connection between the spaces we inhabit and the inner stillness we seek. Have you ever walked into a home and felt like you could finally breathe? Or touched a piece of fabric and suddenly remembered your grandmother’s warmth?
That’s not coincidence-it’s intentional design.
Our guest today is someone who embodies the harmony of inner peace and aesthetic beauty. Kim Depour is a celebrated interior designer, artist, and lifelong meditator. With roots in a vibrant Italian family, years of influence from Japan and India, and a career designing soulful sanctuaries in cities like Paris and New York-Kim brings something rare to the table: the fusion of functionality, spirit, and serenity.
From the concept of “Toko” to curating homes that feel like a sacred breath, this conversation is for anyone who wants to feel more peace in their space-and more purpose in their life.
Let’s dive in.
Q&A: Neeti Keswani in Conversation with Kim Depour
Neeti: Kim, such a joy to have you. You create spaces that feel like poems. Tell us-how do you design from a soulful perspective?
Kim: Thank you, Neeti! It’s wonderful to be here. For me, design begins within. You cannot shape the outer world without going inward. During my years living in Japan, I embraced a concept called Toko, which means the presence and purpose of a space. A home is not just walls and furniture—it’s a state of being. When we underestimate the power of our environment, we compromise our mental clarity, health, and relationships. My goal is to support the soul through design.
Neeti: That’s so profound. Tell us about your “room scan”-what is it and how does it work?
Kim: Ah yes, the famous room scan! It’s become a bit of a superpower. When I walk into a space, I immediately read it—spiritually, energetically, and aesthetically. Clients often get nervous, like “Oh no, Kim’s going to judge everything!” But it’s not about judgment. It’s about understanding what the room needs to support its people. The scan involves subtle observations—light, shadow, flow, vibration. I even offer virtual room scans where we meditate together and I guide clients with simple changes. It’s never imposing. It’s a collaboration to find their yes.
Neeti: Many designers impose their vision. But your process seems deeply client-centric. How do you maintain that balance?
Kim: It’s about trust and mutual respect. This is one of the most intimate relationships—you’re entering someone’s sacred space. I always tell potential clients: please interview me, and I hope I’m not your first or only choice. You must feel aligned with who you’re inviting to co-create your sanctuary. I’ve had clients for 25 years, growing with them from home to home. Each one is a layered journey. But it starts with listening—not dictating.
Neeti: Your approach feels like spiritual companionship more than traditional design. How does your background in meditation influence your work?
Kim: Meditation has deepened my sensitivity to energy. Over time, I’ve come to recognize that spaces carry emotional weight—either uplifting or depleting us. My role is to help clients cultivate peace, not just pretty rooms. Design isn’t decoration—it’s a layering of emotion, memory, and function. And meditation allows me to perceive what a space is asking for. It’s a co-creation between the energy of the home and the soul of its inhabitants.
Neeti: Do you have a favorite story where a space truly transformed someone’s life?
Kim: Yes, a project in Paris comes to mind. My long-time clients bought two floors in the 1st arrondissement—completely gutted, barely livable. They’d just returned from India with a gorgeous rug and nowhere to place it. So they bought a home around it! We dreamed together, sourced materials, and I meditated deeply to design a space that honored their journey. When it was finished, they didn’t just have a beautiful apartment—they had a sanctuary. That rug now sits in the heart of a room that feels like pure peace.
Neeti: That’s magical. What’s one non-negotiable you believe every mindful home should have?
Kim: Only keep what you love. That’s my mantra. Don’t let anything enter your home that doesn’t serve a loving or practical purpose. Maybe it’s an old chair with sentimental value. Maybe it’s a painting that makes your heart smile. Even if guests find it odd—if it resonates with you, it belongs. Every object should be a touchstone. Home should reflect your truth, not anyone else’s approval.
Neeti: How do you balance elegance with ease-especially when working with high-end aesthetics?
Kim: Two words: edit and curate. True luxury is curated. It’s intentional. It’s quiet, not loud. You’ll notice thick carpets that hush your footsteps, drapes that soften sunlight, lighting that layers gently across the room. Elegance lives in texture, flow, and feeling. Not in quantity. Not in price tags. When you walk into a truly elevated home, you breathe deeper. You feel grounded and expanded all at once. That’s how you know it’s been designed with soul.
Neeti: So it’s not about excess-it’s about energy. How do you incorporate spiritual design elements practically?
Kim: I begin with structure and function. Is the space serving your day-to-day life? Then we layer the emotional and spiritual elements: Where does the sun rise? What colors soothe you? What objects remind you of joy? I use sacred symbols—lotuses, Buddha statues, Ganesha—as invitations, not decorations. They hold meaning. But ultimately, the spirituality comes from how the space supports your rituals—morning tea, journaling, family dinners. That’s where design becomes devotion.
Neeti: Beautifully said. Has your spiritual study influenced this depth?
Kim: Deeply. Though I was raised Roman Catholic, I’ve studied Buddhism, yoga, Hindu philosophy—especially after spending time in India. I feel at home in sacred spaces. My design philosophy is like a lotus unfolding—each layer revealing more truth. Whether I’m working in Paris, New York, or Hawaii, that sense of rootedness and reverence is always present. You don’t just build homes. You build healing environments.
Neeti: I love that. For someone reading today, feeling emotionally overwhelmed in their space, what’s one thing they can do right now?
Kim: Take one corner of your home. Just one. Clear it. Wipe it clean. Place something you love there—a candle, a photo, a crystal. Then sit beside it in silence. That small corner becomes your sacred anchor. Over time, expand that energy. Space is energy. The more intentionally you treat it, the more it supports your healing.
Conclusion: Home as a Mirror of the Soul
What Kim Depour reveals is more than design—it’s transformation. In a world obsessed with surface beauty, she reminds us that true luxury is felt, not flaunted. It’s the deep inhale when you return home. It’s the hush of your thoughts as you enter a room made just for your soul.
Whether you’re redecorating or realigning your life, remember this: your home should reflect who you are becoming—not just where you’ve been. Curate with joy. Edit with intention. And design from the inside out.
About Neeti Keswani
I’m Neeti Keswani, founder of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, storytelling coach, and certified Ho’oponopono guide. I help creators, coaches, and conscious leaders align their brand with their inner truth.
👉 For 1-on-1 coaching or to work on your personal brand transformation, reach out to:
📩 info@plush-ink.com
✨ Let your story sell. Let your soul lead.
🎧 Listen to more episodes at: Luxury Unplugged Podcast
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