Episode 1: Kim Gordon

Kim Gordon is an artist and self-taught interior designer and builder, and founder of Kim Gordon Designs, specializing in creating majestic homes that soothe the senses, inspire the mind and restore the body.

She was born in Long Island, New York, and at the 18 she moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico to study acupuncture and massage therapy. She found herself inspired by the design and natural patina of living spaces, and met one of the biggest influences of her life, artist Mili Arango.

From there she moved to LA and started her artistic career, where she created shell cottages and elaborate shrines that were popular with celebrities and designers.

In 2008, her whole life changed when her second son was born. Her marriage was ending and so were the orders for decorative art. She was living in a converted garage and was fluffing up houses when she met Mauricio Suarez, her long time romantic and business partner.

She found herself connecting with people who were looking for homes to “nest” in, which led her to start her journey into interior design and home building. She founded her business, Kim Gordon Designs, in 2012. And without any formal training or background in architecture, she created what many say are some of the most beautiful homes across Venice today.

In 2018, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent intense chemotherapy and radiation for a year. The time she spent recovering from breast cancer transformed her life. As a cancer survivor, her mission now is to create homes that are not just aesthetic and functionally pleasing, but also put health and well-being at the forefront of the design process.

The signature Kim Gordon style is an expansive indoor/outdoor integration, hand-crafted furnishings and finishes, and effortless opportunities for small- and large-scale entertaining integrated throughout the home. She just recently broke a real estate record by selling her latest project, a Pacific Palisades compound, for $18 million, which had an original asking price of $14.8 million.

Now, Gordon is creating homes for her clients, designing a line of chemical-free furniture, and proposing a new concept hotel. And between building a multi-million-dollar business, she is a mother of two boys.

 

TIMESTAMPS

 

00:00 – Intro
05:47 – Don Henley’s impact as a mentor; education through experience
11:50 – Importance of magic, energy or a vibe when designing homes
17:38 – Achieving balance in bringing nature indoors
34:36 – Balancing motherhood while fulfilling professional dreams
38:50 – Triple negative breast cancer
44:04 – 4 o’clock sex appointments
1:04:20 – How to make sure employees want to work with you
1:11:33 – Meaning of wealth

 


 

Transcript for this Episode

Episode 1 Transcript

The Mega Podcast: Kim Gordon

Kim Gordon on Masculine & Feminine Design, Cancer, and 4 PM Sex Appointments | The Mega Podcast

Teaser Videos:

Kim Gordon on Magic, Energy, and How Travel Influences Her Creative Process for Designing Her Homes

Kim Gordon on How She Uses Meditation and Creative Visualization as Part of Her Process for Her Art

Kim Gordon on Creating Balance as a CEO, Mother, and Romantic Partner