The Discreet Portfolio: a Refined Approach to High-End Websites for Interior Designers, Architects, Builders (With Examples)
All website examples used in this blog post were designed by Tiffany Kenyon Design. Don’t hesitate to connect with TKD if you’d like us to design a discreet portfolio for your firm.
In today’s luxury design industry, client privacy is more crucial than ever. High-net-worth individuals expect discretion and confidentiality, especially when showcasing their homes. As an interior designer, architect, or builder, it’s essential to find ways to present your work online while respecting your clients’ right and need to privacy.
In this post, we’ll explore how to create a discreet portfolio that allows you to showcase your finest work without compromising client confidentiality. We’ll also dive into some actionable strategies and real-life examples to guide you in building a website that strikes the perfect balance between exclusivity and accessibility.
Leverage a Curated Portfolio
When it comes to presenting your work, less if often more. A curated portfolio allows you to feature only the most exceptional images, giving potential clients a taste of your talent. By selecting a few standout shots, you maintain exclusivity and focus, making your website feel like a refined, private collection.
Rather than showcasing every project you’ve worked on, we at Tiffany Kenyon Design recommend choosing one feature image from your best projects. Highlight those that best represent your design philosophy and highest quality work. This approach creates intrique and ensures your portfolio doesn’t reveal too much about your clients.
Yoram LePair Architects website designed by Tiffany Kenyon Design
In the example above, Los Angeles-based architect, Yoram LePair, chose to feature a curated home page gallery showcasing his best work. Notice that these images don’t link to a dedicated project page revealing the entire home. By withholding any location details, he maintains client privacy while still offering a captivating glimpse into his exceptional designs.
Implement a Password-Protected Portfolio
For clients who value privacy, a password-protected portfolio is an excellent solution. The feature allows you to control who can access your work and ensures that only vetted individuals have a chance to see your design. It also adds an air of exclusivity, making your portfolio feel like an invitation-only experience. When you offer a password-protected portfolio section, you create a sense of trust and respect for privacy, which is critical when attracting and working with high-net-worth individuals.
Offer Portfolio Access by Invitation
Instead of making your entire portfolio publicly available, offer private access upon request. This method allows you to engage directly with prospects and gives you the opportunity to qualify leads before sharing your work. It also conveys a sense of exclusivity, where only those truly interested can see your work in its entirety.
A simple form or contact page that asks visitors to request access to your portfolio can help you maintain control over who sees your projects. This approach helps foster a one-on-one connection with potential clients and ensures you’re catering to their privacy needs.
Melinda Headrick Interiors website designed by Tiffany Kenyon Design
In the example above, Boston-based interior designer, Melinda Headrick, includes a discreet note below the fold that reads “Due to our client’s privacy, we do not share all images publicly. Our full portfolio is provided during the initial discovery meeting.” This approach ensures privacy while encouraging potential clients to engage directly for a more personalized experience.
Remove Detailed Descriptions from Project Pages
If you’ve been granted permission from your clients to share their home in your portfolio, opt for brief descriptions that focus on the overall aesthetic and design intent. It’s important to omit information about the scope, location, or specifics about the project.
This minimalist approach allows you to showcase your work while maintaining confidentiality. The images themselves should do the talking, leaving your clients’ identities and their homes’ locations protected.
Natalie Chianese Interiors website designed by Tiffany Kenyon Design
In the example above, New Jersey-based interior designer, Natalie Chianese, removed all project descriptions, allowing the images speak for themselves. This minimalist approach emphasizes the beauty of her work while maintaining a sense of privacy.
Incorporate Renderings and Conceptual Designs
Renderings and conceptual designs are powerful tools in your discreet portfolio. These 3D images allow you to showcase your design ideas without exposing the finished space. By presenting conceptual images, you’re highlighting your creative vision while keeping the final design details under wraps.
Renderings also give potential clients insight into your design process and your ability to execute complex concepts. They provide a glimpse of your work while maintaining privacy and interest around the completed project.
Emphasize Strategic Cropping & Detail Shots
Instead of showcasing entire rooms or sweeping views of the home, focus on detail shots that highlight color play, textures, and unique elements of each project. Close-ups of bespoke furniture, intricate finishes, or statement lighting fixtures give viewers a glimpse of your design sensibility without revealing the full space.
Strategic cropping also adds an element of mystery — viewers will be intrigued to see more, but they won’t have access to every corner of the home. This method is an effective way to maintain privacy while still impressing your audience with the quality of your work.
In the example above, our website template marks each project with a note indicating it’s for a private client. The images are dimmed to further maintain confidentiality, offering a subtle preview of your work without revealing specific details. This approach allows you to share your design brilliance while respecting the privacy of your clients.
Use Outdoor Imagery
While showcasing the interiors of a luxury home may not always be possible, you can still highlight your work through exterior shots. A well-composed outdoor image can convey the overall architectural style and design philosophy without revealing intimate details of the interior.
Exterior shots also allow you to display the scale, setting, and ambiance of the project, all while keeping the interior off-limits. Use these images to convey the mood of the home while keeping the focus on the design without compromising privacy.
Brian S. Guidry Custom Home Builders website designed by Tiffany Kenyon Design
In the example above, Lafayette-based builder, Brian Guidry, opted for a striking home page gallery that highlights only exterior shots of his work, showcasing the scape and architectural beauty of his projects while maintaining client privacy.
Craft Thoughtful Yet Vague Project Titles
The titles of your projects can be as important as the images themselves. Avoid specific location names or overly detailed titles that might expose too much information. Instead, choose titles that hint at the project’s essence but keep the location and specific design elements private.
For example, instead of naming a project “Luxury Condo in Manhattan,” try something like “Urban Retreat” or “City Sanctuary.” These titles still give potential clients a sense of the work but maintain the level of discretion required for high-end projects.
A discreet portfolio is quickly becoming the new standard for high-end websites. By strategically curating your work, using password protection, and focusing on selective visuals, your present your best projects while respecting your clients’ desire for privacy.
If you’re ready to build a website that showcases your work with the utmost discretion, consider these strategies and take a step toward offering your clients the confidentiality they expect.
Contact Tiffany Kenyon Design today to discuss how we can create a website that highlights your designs while ensuring privacy and exclusivity. We also offer website templates designed for interior designers and architects with private clients.
