What if true luxury wasn’t about a price tag, but a feeling? What if your home could be more than just a beautiful space—what if it could be a sanctuary that actively supports your well-being, your peace, and your inner life?

In a world saturated with images of pristine, often impersonal, interiors, a growing movement is seeking something deeper. We are moving beyond aesthetics alone and towards the creation of intentional living spaces—homes designed not just for show, but for the soul. This is about mindful interior design that considers the energy of a space as much as its furniture.

To explore this profound shift, we sat down with Kim Dep, a celebrated interior designer, artist, and lifelong meditator. Her work is a masterclass in blending aesthetic harmony with soulful intention. This conversation is a deep dive into how you can transform your own environment into a luxurious and intentional space that feels like a true embrace.

What is an Intentional Living Space? It All Starts with "Toko"

For those wanting to know what a luxurious and intentional space really is, Kim Dep begins with a powerful Japanese concept: Toko.

"One word that I hold to my heart is toko, which means the presence and purpose of a space and seeing interior space as a state of being," Kim explains. This foundational idea shifts the entire goal of interior design. It’s not about filling a room with beautiful objects; it’s about imbuing it with a specific feeling and function that supports its inhabitants.

"One should never underestimate the power and influence of your external environment," she states. "It affects every aspect of your life: your health, your mental state, your relationships within the home. And to me, that is just foundational and so inherently essential—to have a space that fully supports every aspect."

This is the core of mindful interior design. It’s the understanding that our surroundings are not passive. They are active participants in our daily lives. A cluttered, chaotic room can create a cluttered, chaotic mind. Conversely, a calm, purposeful, and intentional living space can become a catalyst for a more peaceful and grounded life. When you embark on creating a luxury interior design project with this mindset, the result is not just a visually stunning home, but a transformative one.

The Designer's Superpower: The "Room Scan"

How does one begin to assess the "state of being" of a room? Kim Dep has developed what she calls the "room scan," a skill honed by years of practice and deep meditation.

"The minute I go into anyone's home... it's just a special skill of knowing how to read the horizon of a room—dimensionally, aesthetically, spiritually, on so many different levels," she shares. This goes far beyond noting the color of the walls or the style of the sofa. "The deeper my meditation practice has taken me, the more I'm embracing the energy of a space and what elements support that in a very particular way."

This intuitive approach is what sets soulful interior design apart. It’s about feeling the flow of a space, understanding where energy gets stuck, and knowing how to introduce elements that restore balance and harmony. For anyone looking to create a more mindful home, the first step is to perform your own, simpler version of a room scan. Sit quietly in the space. How does it make you feel? Restless? Calm? Constricted? Note the sensations without judgment. This awareness is the first step toward intentional transformation.

The Sacred Client-Designer Relationship: A Collaboration of "Yes"

A common pitfall in the world of luxury interior design is the overpowering designer who imposes their own style without regard for the client's essence. Kim Dep vehemently opposes this model, viewing the relationship as a sacred collaboration.

"It is the most intimate of relationships," she says. "You really need to interview who you are accepting into your home and who is creating your home, especially if you're bringing children into the world. It is a very sacred exchange."

Her process is rooted in finding the "yes." She often witnesses designers in showrooms shutting down clients' ideas, which "breaks my heart a little because it's all about finding the yes of what you need in your home. What you love that's your home, and to be able to articulate all the aspects of that."

This philosophy is crucial for creating a truly intentional living space. The home must reflect the people who live in it, not the designer who decorated it. It’s a collaborative journey of uncovering what brings the client joy and translating that into a tangible, functional, and beautiful environment. This process ensures the final result is a genuine mindful home, not a staged showroom.

The Non-Negotiable Rule for a Mindful Home

When asked for the one non-negotiable element every mindful home should have, Kim Dep’s answer is deceptively simple yet profoundly impactful.

"My mantra is that I don't want you to bring anything into your home that you don't love, that doesn't resonate with you, that doesn't have a purpose."

This rule is the ultimate filter for curating your possessions. It means that every item, from the grandest sofa to the smallest trinket, must earn its place. It could be loved for its practicality, its beauty, or the sweet memory it holds. "Even if your friends come over and say, 'What is that hideous chair?' it doesn't matter. That's your touchstone; you don't need approval."

This principle is the very essence of an intentional living space. It forces a clarity of vision and a connection to one's own preferences, free from external trends or opinions. Applying this single rule can instantly transform a cluttered, dissonant house into a cohesive and personal luxurious and intentional space. It’s the foundation upon which all other aspects of mindful interior design are built.

Balancing Elegance and Ease: The Art of Sensory Luxury

So, how does one balance high elegance with a sense of grounding ease? How do we create spaces that feel both elevated and deeply comfortable? For Kim Dep, the answers lie in the words "edit," "curate," and "sensual."

"I think the one word that most people don't embrace is the word 'edit'," she notes. "Anytime I'm in a home that feels extraordinarily luxurious, it's usually curated. Everything is considered. There's nothing extraneous."

This thoughtful curation, where each piece has purpose and presence, is what prevents a space from feeling overly decorated or stiff. But beyond editing, Kim defines luxury as an experiential and sensual quality.

"So for me, luxury has that quality of sensualness. There's the quality of texture—like when you walk on a very thick carpet, or the way light is filtered through the drapery, or the way lighting is considered in a layering effect. It's experiential. So luxury to me is experiential. It's sensual."

This approach to luxury interior design engages all the senses. It’s the hushed quiet of a thick rug, the soft glow of layered lighting, the tactile pleasure of a linen throw. This multi-sensory experience is what makes a space feel truly luxurious and intentional. It’s an elegance that doesn’t intimidate but envelops you in a feeling of ease and well-being. It’s the difference between a hotel room and a home.

A Transformational Story: The Parisian Apartment

Theory comes to life through story, and Kim Dep shared a powerful example of this philosophy in action—a transformational project in Paris.

The clients, whom she had worked with for years, had purchased a magnificent rug in India with no place to put it, leading them to buy an apartment in Paris. After months of searching, they settled on a unexpected choice: two floors in a First Empire-era building that was, in her words, "like a bomb had hit it. It was devastating."

Instead of imposing a pre-conceived design, the process began with a question: "What do you want to create in this space?" They visited their "fantasy place" together, and Kim Dep worked in tandem with a French architect to bring their vision to life. The project became a deep, meditative process for her.

"I did so much meditating before they came to see the space," she recalls. The result was more than a beautiful apartment; it was "a place of such love" that represented a profound transformation for both the space and its owners. This story perfectly illustrates how mindful interior design, when approached as a collaborative and spiritual practice, can create a luxurious and intentional space that resonates with the souls of its inhabitants.

The Ultimate Goal: Home as an Embrace

The conversation concluded with a touching revelation—a thank-you note Kim Dep had received from a client that very morning, which had brought her to tears. The client wrote that her new home "feels like an embrace."

This, for Kim Dep, is the ultimate reward and the very purpose of her work. She shared the client's traumatic journey through natural disasters, highlighting how critical a stable, serene home had become. "Her home is like a little womb of healing right now," Kim reflected. "I just feel like I'm so happy that she's happy. It really makes a difference."

This is the final, and most important, layer of creating a luxurious and intentional space. It’s not about marble countertops or designer chairs (though they may be present). It’s about creating an environment that provides security, peace, and comfort. It’s about that moment, as Kim Dep so beautifully put it, when "you open that door, turn the key, and you are home. There's that in your breath—you can take that full breath and know you're in a place that's safe and that you simply just adore."

Practical Steps to Begin Creating Your Own Intentional Space

Inspired to start your own journey? Here are some practical takeaways from our conversation with Kim Dep:

1. Perform a "Room Scan": Spend 10 minutes in silence in a room you want to transform. Observe your feelings without judgment. Note what feels good and what feels off. This awareness is your starting point.

2. Apply the "Love It or Need It" Rule: Go through your belongings. For each item, ask: "Do I love this? Does it have a practical purpose? Does it hold a cherished memory?" If the answer is no to all three, it might be time to let it go.

3. Embrace the Edit: Before adding something new, consider what it adds to the space. Is it necessary? Does it contribute to the feeling you want to create? Avoid clutter and choose pieces with intention.

4. Engage the Senses: Think beyond the visual. How can you introduce comforting textures? How is the lighting layered for different moods? Could a subtle scent enhance the atmosphere? This is key to luxury interior design that feels personal.

5. Find Your "Toko": Define the purpose and desired feeling for each room. Is your bedroom for rest and rejuvenation? Is your living room for connection and conversation? Let this intention guide your design choices.

Creating a mindful home is a journey, not a destination. It’s a continuous process of aligning your external environment with your internal world. By embracing the principles of mindful interior design, you can move beyond creating a house that is merely beautiful, and instead, craft a luxurious and intentional space that is truly, deeply, home.

 

Podcast Script: A Conversation on Soulful Design with Kim Dep

Host: Neeti Keswani
Guest: Kim Dep, Interior Designer, Artist, and Lifelong Meditator

(Intro Music Fades)

Neeti Keswani: If you've wondered how true luxury can be redefined as a feeling of peace and presence within our spaces, or you want to understand how to help clients create intentional living spaces... if you want to know what a luxurious and intentional space really feels like and what aesthetics go behind those price tags, you're in the right place.

So, let's understand all of that in today's podcast because today's guest is someone who beautifully embodies this balance. Kim Dep is a celebrated interior designer, artist, and a lifelong meditator. Her journey is as rich and layered as the spaces she designs.

From her early creative roots in a big Italian family to leading showhouses and creating serene sanctuaries for clients, her work is a masterclass in blending aesthetic harmony with soulful intention. So, if you've ever wondered how your space could elevate not just your lifestyle, but your inner life, you're in for a treat. Let's dive into this soulful conversation with Kim Dep.

Welcome, Kim. Thank you so much for being here.

Kim Dep: Lovely to be here.

Neeti Keswani: Lovely to have you on the show, Kim. So, tell us about your experiences as you draw and design beyond aesthetics, from your core. How do you go about it?

Kim Dep: Well, I truly believe that in order to create an exterior space, one has to go deep within. I spent quite a few years living in Japan, and that's where I learned so many lessons. One word that I hold to my heart is toko, which means the presence and purpose of a space, and seeing interior space as a state of being. One should never underestimate the power and influence of your external environment. It affects every aspect of your life: your health, your mental state, your relationships within the home. And to me, that is just foundational and so inherently essential—to have a space that fully supports every aspect.

Neeti Keswani: Lovely. So, when you say that you do a "room checkup," what word do you use for that? The "room scan"?

Kim Dep: Oh yes, the room scan. Yeah, that's actually a superpower that I've developed. The minute I go into anyone's home, sometimes people think, 'Oh god, Kim Dep is coming,' and they get a little nervous. It always just makes me laugh because it's like, 'Oh my goodness, she's going to judge this or that.' But that's not the case at all. It's just a special skill of knowing how to read the horizon of a room—dimensionally, aesthetically, spiritually, on so many different levels. Because the deeper my meditation practice has taken me, the more I'm embracing the energy of a space and what elements support that in a very particular way.

So, the room scan is something I've developed. I'm actually offering it now as a test to say, we could do a Zoom session and focus on one room. I like to go into a meditation process with whoever wants to elevate their life and then follow up with all different resources and insights. But it's not about imposing. So many decorators and designers really impose their aesthetic on their clients and their interiors. It's truly a collaboration. It's your home, and to be able to articulate what brings you joy is key. I always have a good giggle when I'm sourcing in showrooms and I hear a decorator saying to their client, "Oh, no, you have no..." and it just breaks my heart a little because it's all about finding the "yes"—what you need in your home, what you love.

Neeti Keswani: So very true. Usually, people who are independent in their thought processes are open to discussing it with interior designers, but sometimes the designers are very overpowering and bring in their own styles. That balance needs to be created.

Kim Dep: It absolutely is key. It is the most intimate of relationships. When I go through an interview process with clients, I will always say, "What number am I on? I hope I'm not just number one." Because you really need to interview who you are accepting into your home and who is creating your home, especially if you're bringing children into the world. It is a very sacred exchange. I feel so strongly about that. I have clients for 25 years and do everything for them, from the first house to the next. It's lovely to go through that trajectory of their life and provide that sustenance.

Neeti Keswani: You know, Kim Dep, the way you're talking is reminding me more of a soulful person than just an interior designer. My friends in interior design often talk about elements and the structure of a room. However, you bring the element of values and feelings to the conversation, which is pretty fresh. I think that plays out in your favor. How does it help you in your discussions when designing a New York City home or a place in Paris?

Kim Dep: It's really about... I'm very practical also. To me, the function of the space is number one; it's not about the decoration or putting icing on the cookie. It's getting to the functionality. And then an analysis of what the space has—does it have good bones? It's a layering process. My favorite image in the world is a lotus, and just the way that petal unfolds. But what's in the center of that lotus is what's key—what you want to create in your home, what you want to establish. So, it starts from a very pragmatic, spatial point of view, and then it's a layering of emotion. How you arrange a space—is it closed and cozy, or is it expansive? There are so many nuances and delicacy to each aspect.

Neeti Keswani: Kim Dep, do you have a favorite transformational story—a space you designed blending both practicality and the spiritual aspect?

Kim Dep: I do, and it's interesting because it kind of brought me to the space where I realized how much the spiritual aspect was really important to me. It was a project in Paris. I've been working with these clients for many years, and they had just bought a rug in India with no place to put it. They decided to buy an apartment in Paris. We looked for months, and I was dying over gorgeous Louis XIV architecture... but what did they buy? They bought two floors in a building from the First Empire period, and it was like a bomb had hit it. It was devastating.

So, we began with, "What do you want to create in this space?" They showed me their fantasy place, and it was about really embracing what they wanted to create, working in tandem with the French architect. It became an exquisite project, a place of such love. I did so much meditating before they came to see the space. It was an incredible transformation, spatially, and for me and for them, it was a beautiful experience on so many levels.

Neeti Keswani: Beautiful. In terms of that one non-negotiable that you believe every mindful home should have, what is your vision or philosophy, or perhaps a practical tip for that?

Kim Dep: One non-negotiable—and this is truly my mantra—is that I don't want you to bring anything into your home that you don't love, that doesn't resonate with you, that doesn't have a purpose. Maybe it's a touchstone of a sweet memory with your family. Even if your friends come over and say, "What is that hideous chair?" it doesn't matter. That's your touchstone; you don't need approval. So, I think it really goes back to them doing the inner work and understanding what brings them joy, and then guiding that process. It's really so simple: not one element in your home should be without resonance—on a level of love, practicality, or purpose.

Neeti Keswani: Beautiful. And that draws me to almost a last question: How do you really balance elegance with ease, creating spaces that are both elevated and grounding?

Kim Dep: I think the one word that most people don't embrace is the word "edit." And also, I'll just throw in "curate." Any time I'm in a home that feels extraordinarily luxurious, there are a couple of elements. A, it's usually curated; everything is considered. There's nothing extraneous. The editing means there is a purpose for every piece, and also an interesting contrast of pieces.

So for me, luxury has that quality of sensualness. There's the quality of texture—like when you walk on a very thick carpet, or the way light is filtered through the drapery, or the way lighting is considered in a layering effect. It's experiential. So luxury to me is experiential. It's sensual. It's a combination of many elements. And again, it is where you feel secure and peaceful. You open that door, turn the key, and you are home. There's that in your breath—you can take that full breath and know you're in a place that's safe and that you simply just adore. Simple as that.

Neeti Keswani: I think that feeling is so surreal—that feeling of peace the moment you open the door and think, "I'm home, where I can unwind and be myself." That's so beautiful. From someone, I just feel that you have a lot of influence from Buddhism, is that correct?

Kim Dep: I do. I've studied a lot of... sorry, Mom up in heaven—Roman Catholic Italian—I can feel her presence already! But yeah, I'm influenced by Hinduism as well, in the study of yoga and having spent a lot of time in India. When I go there, I feel so at home. I'm just interested in so many things. But Buddhism, yes, that's very high on the list.

Neeti Keswani: The mention of the lotus was very profound, so I was just wondering.

Kim Dep: Yes, yes. There's a Buddha over here, he's all over. He's actually over here. And I have Ganesha over here. So, I'm covered.

Neeti Keswani: Oh, okay. All right. That is so beautiful. I think that is all I have for you. For our viewers, we have already seen what sets Kim Dep apart. In her ability to understand and design spaces, she's not just looking at beautiful homes; she's looking at them as a breath of peace. I like the rootedness in your style and the mindfulness that goes beyond it. So, it's been wonderful talking to you, Kim Dep.

Kim Dep: Oh, it's such a gift. Thank you. And I just have to share with you, I got a thank-you note just this morning, and it kind of made me cry a little bit. A client wrote to me about how her home just feels like an embrace. I got goosebumps reading it. That's why I do what I do. I made a difference in someone's life who has gone through so much trauma recently—moving to Hawaii and experiencing the fire, moving to North Carolina and experiencing the flood. Now she's in Westchester with her daughter. How can you withstand that kind of trauma? Her home is like a little womb of healing right now, and I'm just so happy that she's happy. It really makes a difference.

Neeti Keswani: All right. So lovely talking to you, Kim Dep, and hopefully we're going to have many more conversations.

Kim Dep: Oh, I hope. It was such a pleasure. Thank you so much.

Neeti Keswani: Thank you so much. Have a beautiful day. Namaste.

Kim Dep: Namaste. Vanakkam—that's after I was in South India. That's my one word.

(Outro Music Fades In)

Neeti Keswani (Voiceover): Thank you for listening. If this conversation resonated with you, please follow for more insightful discussions on intentional living.