Kim Depole transforms interiors into mindful sanctuaries. Based in New York City, she draws on 25 years of design and meditation. Her “Designing with your Mind’s Eye” process guides clients to craft spaces that nurture their well‑being. As featured twice on Oprah, Kim applies color therapy, art curation, and personal rituals. She empowers homeowners to shape environments that reflect their true selves.
Kim Depole’s mission goes beyond decorating. She helps clients discover what truly brings them joy at home. Her mindful design method creates spaces that reflect personal values, not fleeting trends. With every project, Kim aims to build homes that embrace, inspire, and elevate daily life. Her designs support wellness, creativity, and intentional living—making each home a sacred expression of the soul.
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Beverly Hills Magazine: Kim Depole, Good morning. How are you?
Kim Depole: Hi. Good morning. Good to see you today.
Beverly Hills Magazine: You too. I’m glad to have you.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Awesome. So, tell me your whole story. What sparked your passion for interior design?
Kim Depole: My passion for interior design was an outgrowth of my passion as an artist. I started as a painter, then became a creative director, so this is my second career. I had a full first career as a creative director at an accessory company—a dream corporate job. It stressed me out, so I did what everybody does: I saved my money and moved to Japan.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That is awesome.
Kim Depole: Yes. I lived in a seven-tatami traditional house, traveled throughout Southeast Asia. I did Eat, Pray, Love before Eat, Pray, Love was written. When I came back, I was like, oh my goodness, what am I going to do now? I was offered a position as an assistant for the first designer showhouse, which benefited the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, back in the day. The director was let go, and they put me in charge. Imagine your first experience in interior design being in charge of a four-floor townhouse with celebrities like designer Alessi, architect Michael Graves, and Wolfgang Puck designing the kitchen. It was insane. After that, I was bitten. That’s it. This is what I’m going to do.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s how it happens. As a Christian, I believe the Bible says God laughs at man’s plans. We stumble into our passion, discover it, fall in love, and that’s it.
Kim Depole: That was it. I never looked back. I went back to school, opened my design studio, and was tenacious. Then, out of the blue, I got a call from Oprah to be on her show twice, which launched a lot. It was bittersweet because I used to watch Oprah with my mother when she was dying of cancer. She’d say, “Kim, one day you’re going to be on this show.” I’d be like, “Yeah, okay.”
Beverly Hills Magazine: She was prophesying into your future. That’s beautiful. How did your early meditation practice influence your design journey and your practice today? That’s a spiritual element.
Kim Depole: That’s God tapping you on the shoulder for a direct line of communication. I started meditating at 18 through Transcendental Meditation. It was sublimely powerful. I had a sweet taste in my mouth, saw a beautiful flower opening, became more psychic, intuitive, and expressive. These are gifts I want to share. I was quiet about my practice; it was private and sacred.
After closing my design studio in Nolita, New York, with all the craziness and doing soul-searching, I felt that tap again: “Kim, how are you going to serve now?” That’s where it came full circle. Even before, I’d finish projects and do a special meditation or prayer, especially if a child was being brought into the home, imbuing the space with that awareness and energy.
Beverly Hills Magazine: I believe God created us with unique gifts and talents to align with our divine purpose, impacting everything like a butterfly effect. I love how you said God was tapping you to serve. Jesus said the greatest will become the servant of all. When we adopt that mindset, our work becomes a contribution, a collaboration, a little taste of heaven on earth.
Kim Depole: I’ve never felt like I had a job. If you can find your vocation early and adopt a mindset of serving—what you’re providing, not you—that’s key. It’s what you were created to do.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Absolutely. What does “Designing with Your Mind’s Eye” mean? That’s very spiritual to me.
Kim Depole: It’s intentional, combining mindfulness with creating your home. It’s a guided meditation I share at the start, beginning in the bedroom where you dream, where conscious and unconscious worlds combine. Be clear on what brings you joy, how to express yourself creatively. It’s not about me imposing. Many decorators use a template—your house has to look like this. I’ve never believed that. That’s why clients always come back.
Beverly Hills Magazine: I love the soul of your practice. We’re waking up to our spirituality, making life more meaningful. Aligning spirituality with family, home, design—it’s who we are.
Kim Depole: Gratitude is the foundation. I give a portion of my earnings to Habitat for Humanity because everyone deserves a home. Working in exquisite homes for wealthy clients, I always heard, “Kim, how are you going to serve? Where’s the service?”
Beverly Hills Magazine: Walk me through your process with a new client from start to finish.
Kim Depole: We do a discovery call to see if we’re simpatico for residential or commercial projects. I’m focusing on virtual clients via Zoom. I send a questionnaire to understand where they are and ask for photos. We begin with a “room scan” for those unclear on their vision. We spend an hour scanning the room, starting with intentional meditation for clarity on what they want to create.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Does that clarity come from their emotions?
Kim Depole: There’s journaling involved—a format to go inside to create the outside. It’s a series of questions, returning to childhood since preferences are influenced early. Do they like intimate or expansive spaces? We start with emotions and energetic feelings, then uncover layers like petals of a lotus. It’s not about deciding the room will be pink; it’s finding inner expression.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How do you define a home sanctuary?
Kim Depole: A home sanctuary is when you open the door and feel, “Ah, I’m home,” that release. It has zones where you restore, meditate, pray, or celebrate with friends. It’s a full expression of what you love, not what a designer or Instagram dictates. It requires inner work to express externally.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That’s beautiful. Our home is our safe place, a reflection of our inner being. You feel it when you walk into a home with that energy. You can go into someone’s home and say, “This is so them.”
Kim Depole: It doesn’t have to be trendy. I’ve created those homes, and if that brings joy, great. In a high-end condo building, I saw a hundred apartments, but only five had expressive energy. Most had a big TV and sofa, lacking self-expression. That’s where you plant the seed of creativity.
Beverly Hills Magazine: It’s like fashion—self-expression on a larger scale. How does your work differ in the Hamptons or Paris? Does location play a part?
Kim Depole: The Paris job was an eye-opener. I had an idea of a Parisian apartment, but the clients, after four projects together, said, “No, Kim, this is our dream, our fantasia.” It’s about deep listening. Location doesn’t matter—it’s who I’m working with, discovering what brings them joy.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Your home is the canvas, a reflection of your heart.
Kim Depole: It’s art essence, and it changes. It’s not fixed, not one and done. People collect too much, the dreaded hoarding. I say curate your surroundings. I love Italy, the Mona Lisa, so I have my masterpiece behind me. Curate what brings joy.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Yes, absolutely! How does color influence our mental state in our surroundings?
Kim Depole: I’m studying chakras and their relation to color and the body. During meditation, I ask clients what color keeps appearing—it informs me about their energy. A client obsessed with lavender, the highest vibration, did brilliant publishing work. Her studio with that color and white felt elevating. Color choices are essential, tested. Bright yellow in a child’s room causes chaos; red raises pulses. In operating rooms, doctors wear green because they’re looking at red blood, and green helps their eyes adjust. Colors affect how you see, react, think—everything. Choose with study, logic, and heart.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How do you choose art to balance a space?
Kim Depole: It’s personal. For clients who travel, I blow up their photos—like a Machu Picchu mural. Clients in finance say, “I’m not artistic, Kim.” I differ; their pictures are fabulous, like art prints. Art is subjective; it must resonate. Include nature—mountains, landscapes, trees. Fractals bring serenity, proven to aid healing in hospitals. It could be a leaf imprint on a plate, layering nature.
Beverly Hills Magazine: That takes me back to the Garden of Eden, our roots in nature, connected to God. It calms our spirits.
Kim Depole: Absolutely. In children’s rooms, I use tree elements—roots and wings. There are tree-shaped bookcases for books, teaching analogies.
Beverly Hills Magazine: I’m obsessed with butterflies lately, putting fake tattoo butterflies on me. It does something to my spirit. Visuals in our environment evoke joy and healing.
Kim Depole: Exactly. As an artist and painter, I share my collections of art, prints, photography. I ask clients what they like. If they need inspiration, I go to galleries in New York, like the Museum of Natural History’s butterfly wing, where butterflies land on you. It’s amazing.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How do you integrate cultural design elements?
Kim Depole: I travel constantly. I spent a month in South India, Chennai, with rich patterns, colors, fabrics. New Yorkers wear black, but India’s a celebration of color. Japan taught me minimalism and nature’s essence. I’d love to visit Sweden for design, and Italy’s another universe of inspiration.
Beverly Hills Magazine: What role does play space design have for families and children?
Kim Depole: For children, I use magnetic whiteboards for drawing and oversized magnets like puzzles for creative expression. Furniture should have multiple uses, be adaptable—move a table, add pillows, roll out a yoga mat. Don’t pick anything too heavy to move without five strong guys.
Beverly Hills Magazine: We had a circular lounge chair that needed hired help to move for parties. Good point. What quick design shifts create a big impact?
Kim Depole: Edit. Go into your space and ask, “What can I remove to make a difference?” Start with windows—are they open? Is there light? Dark drapery is fine for a library, but natural light is essential. Light, airy, open is love.
Beverly Hills Magazine: How do you support empty nesters resetting their homes after kids go to college?
Kim Depole: It’s a process of releasing, being clear about the child’s room. Will it be a temple to them, or do you say, “I need my craft room”? It’s about time for you. Have that conversation with family. Start fresh with new pieces, but hold onto touchstone items with sweet memories.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Kim Depole, thank you for sharing your inspiring journey and mindful approach to interior design. Your Designing with Your Mind’s Eye method, blending spirituality and creativity, is transformative, encouraging us to create homes that truly reflect our hearts.
Kim Depole: Thank you, Jacqueline, for this beautiful conversation. It’s been an honor to share how design can align with our divine purpose and bring joy to our lives. I’m grateful for the opportunity.
Kim Depole stands at the intersection of design and mindfulness. Through her thoughtful approach, she nurtures homes that support wellness and self‑discovery. Her work spans global residences and urban retreats, offering sanctuary through intentional design. As she continues to shape environments with heart and purpose, Kim inspires us all to live with more presence, creativity, and balance at home.