Los Angeles-based designer Kim Colwell possesses a rare blend of artistry and intuition that allows her to transform not only interiors but potentially, her client’s lives. In a way, she was born into this practice. Kim’s mother, Melinda Joy Miller, a revered master of feng shui and environmental healing, pioneered methods to enhance spaces by weaving together various traditions, including Indigenous principles. This rich, eclectic background deeply influenced Kim’s aesthetic sensibility and laid the foundation for her own distinctive approach to design.

Kim's evolution into a designer who understands the profound impact of space on the human psyche was shaped by her studies in psychology. She has an acute awareness of how environments influence mental health and well-being. It’s a perspective that defines her work. It is through this lens that she begins each consultation, delving into the psychological dimensions of a space. “When you start analyzing a space and you're trained to look at a space psychologically, you start to get a sense of what's happening in someone's internal life,” she explains.

Kim's approach to design is not just limited to private homes. Her expertise extends to the world of film set design, where she gets to practice working in reverse– using space to shape characters and help define their personalities. In this process, she collaborates with filmmakers to craft environments that subtly reveal the emotional landscapes of their characters. “For instance, I consider how someone’s depression might manifest in their home,” she explains. “How might a troubled relationship leave its mark on a physical space, offering subliminal cues about the person’s life, dynamics, and personality?” Here, the psychological nuances of a space reveal themselves in subtle, yet powerful ways.

With a background that seamlessly blends art, psychology, and spirituality, Kim has evolved into more than just a designer. She’s a modern-day shaman of space, guiding her clients on a journey to manifest their own realities, beginning within their homes. Her process is deeply holistic, drawing upon ancient and spiritual practices that include, among other things, shamanic astrology.

Shamanic astrology is a practice that involves connecting your astrological birth chart to the details of your home, such as the materials, spacing, and other aspects. “For me, and the way that I use shamanic astrology, it’s really understanding an innate sense of color, for instance, and what type of natural elements are good for you versus some that may not be as healthy for you,” she explains.

She explains that understanding which materials or textures to incorporate in the home (for example, adding more wood or metal furnishings) can actually transform your feelings towards your space. Another way to use shamanic astrology to transform your space is by considering the color ways that are best for you. For example, some people might thrive in lighter tones while others can have specific colors that can benefit their home.

Although she incorporates her mental health training and astrology into her consultations, at the core of Kim’s work lies the ancient art of feng shui, a belief that our surroundings directly influence our energy and fortune. Today, feng shui is experiencing a renaissance, driven in part by social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where influencers dissect architectural elements and room layouts to help followers cultivate harmony and balance in their lives.

In feng shui, even the smallest decisions, such as the placement of a bed or desk, are charged with significance. These choices go beyond mere aesthetics. They are integral to shaping the flow of energy within a space. For those seeking to unlock greater financial success, career advancement, or inner peace, feng shui offers a pathway to harnessing positive energy and aligning it with their goals.

Although it might be tempting to try and use books or social media to guide your own practice of feng shui, Kim’s work is an example why having a physical in-person guide can help you make the best decisions for your space. “In many different forms of feng shui, you have contradictory information. For example, in one form you’ll have the wealth area is one spot and in another, it’s somewhere else. It could depend on what region you studied in, or what master you’ve trained under,” she reflects. “At the end of the day, it’s just like any other modality, we’re all trying to create balance. We’re looking at how to balance the space of energetic flow and there’s almost an intuitive aspect to it.”

In a world where interiors often focus on aesthetics or short-lived trends, Kim Colwell stands as a designer who sees beyond the surface, crafting spaces that nurture the mind, body, and spirit. Her work is a reminder that our homes are more than just physical structures– they are reflections of our inner worlds, capable of influencing our well-being and guiding us toward our highest potential.

Her consultations are a great way to analyze more than what colors to incorporate or what curtains to install but to better understand how you can optimize your space to work well with your life. Through her unique blend of psychology, spirituality, and design, Kim invites us to create spaces that not only look beautiful but also resonate with our life and what we envision for our future.