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The Productivity Journal

Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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Founder of House of Bettencourt

MEET CHANTEL

Why Interior Designers Need to Stop Copying Studio McGee’s Website

A sophisticated living space featuring green drapery, leather chairs, a glass coffee table with decor, and curated art pieces, showcasing a luxurious and stylish design aesthetic.

Look, I get it. Studio McGee’s website is gorgeous. Their clean aesthetic, perfect imagery, and seamless user experience make it tempting to “borrow” their design elements. But here’s the thing – if every interior designer copies their website style, how will potential clients see what makes YOU unique? The Studio McGee Effect on Interior Designer […]

Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look, I get it. Studio McGee’s website is gorgeous. Their clean aesthetic, perfect imagery, and seamless user experience make it tempting to “borrow” their design elements. But here’s the thing – if every interior designer copies their website style, how will potential clients see what makes YOU unique?

The Studio McGee Effect on Interior Designer Websites

Let’s be honest about what’s happening in the interior design industry. Every time I look at interior designer websites, I see the same elements repeated over and over: pristine white backgrounds, minimalist navigation menus that all look identical, and photo layouts that could be carbon copies of each other. While these elements work beautifully for Studio McGee, they might not be serving YOUR business or YOUR ideal clients.

Why Your Interior Design Business Deserves a Unique Website Design

Your design style is unique. Maybe you specialize in bold, maximalist spaces that make people gasp with delight. Perhaps your niche is sustainable, eco-friendly design that makes a difference in the world. Or you might be the go-to designer for luxury vacation homes that make memories. Whatever your specialty, shouldn’t your website reflect that unique perspective?

Essential Pages Your Interior Design Website Actually Needs

Every interior designer needs certain key pages on their website, but it’s not just about having them – it’s about making them work strategically for your business.

A Strategic Homepage

Your homepage needs to do more than just look pretty. It should immediately show what makes your design style unique. Think about your initial impact – are you bold and modern? Warm and traditional? Your homepage should reflect that energy from the first scroll.

Key elements to include:

  • A powerful hero image that represents your signature style
  • Clear positioning statement (who you serve and how)
  • Preview of recent projects
  • Clear path to your services

Portfolio Pages That Tell Stories

This is where most interior designers miss the mark. Don’t just throw up beautiful photos – create project stories that sell your expertise. Each portfolio piece should be its own case study that includes:

  • The client’s initial challenge or vision
  • Your design solution and approach
  • Process highlights and key decisions
  • Before and after photos with detailed descriptions
  • Specific materials and vendors used (if allowed to share)
  • Client testimonials and results

These details help potential clients envision working with you and understand the value you provide.

Detailed Services Page

Your services page should educate potential clients about your process while getting them excited to work with you. Break down your offerings into clear, understandable sections:

  • Different service tiers or packages available
  • What’s included in each service level
  • Your unique design process and approach
  • Timeline expectations and project flow
  • Investment ranges (if you choose to share them)
  • How to take the next step

About Page That Connects

Your about page isn’t just your biography – it’s a chance to connect with potential clients. Share:

  • Your design philosophy and approach
  • What makes you unique in the industry
  • Your background and expertise
  • Personal touches that help clients relate to you
  • Professional credentials and features

Contact Page That Converts

Make it easy for potential clients to reach out with a contact page that:

  • Has a clear, easy-to-use contact form
  • Includes your preferred contact methods
  • Sets expectations for response time
  • Pre-qualifies leads with strategic questions

Creating a Website That’s Authentically You

Your website should be as carefully curated as the spaces you design. Instead of copying another designer’s style, focus on:

  1. Your Brand Story Take time to define your unique value proposition. What makes your design services different? Why do clients choose you? Let these answers guide your website design.
  2. Your Visual Style Look at your portfolio and identify common threads:
  • What colors do you frequently use?
  • What’s your signature style?
  • What elements appear consistently in your work? Use these insights to inform your website’s design elements.
  1. Your Ideal Client Consider who you’re trying to attract:
  • What aesthetic appeals to them?
  • What information do they need?
  • How can your website pre-qualify the right clients?

Moving Beyond the Template

Ready to create a website that’s as unique as your design style? Start by:

  1. Documenting what makes your process special
  2. Gathering detailed project case studies
  3. Collecting client testimonials that highlight your strengths
  4. Creating professional photography that showcases your unique style

Want help creating a website that truly reflects your interior design business? Grab my free Website Project Planner and start planning a site that’s authentically you.

Download my free Website Project Planner


Looking for Website tips & tricks? no costumes needed.

Join my email list “The Web Designer Homemaker”

Ways you can work with me:

✍️ Download my free Website Project Planner

🪄 Book a Website Audit

👽 Book your Custom Web and Brand Design Project

🌶️ Book your VIP Design Day

REVIEWS

CANDLES + HAIRDRESSER, MO + CO, CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES

Chantel is amazing! I needed an expert in all things website design, and she delivered above and beyond. As a multifaceted professional, I required two websites – one for selling my hand-poured candles and another for my main profession as a hairstylist. She also created a brand board and logos for me. For my candle website, she taught me how to use Shopify and customized everything to my liking. She sent me videos and tutorials to help me understand how to use and make changes moving forward. Honestly, I couldn’t have imagined working with a better website designer. She's so fun and kind.

MORGAN MORRELL

I feel really lucky to have been connected with her.

artist & coach, AUSTIN TEXAS


"She’s also a patient and kind collaborator — which I think is key on major projects like launching a website/shop. She’ll take your hand and walk you through the process from start to finish. "

UMA SANGHVI

If you’re looking for a Shopify wizard to make your website dreams come true, Chantel is your woman.

GEORGETOWN GENERAL SURGERY, ONTARIO, CANADA

Chantel was extremely pleasant and easy to communicate with. She was very quick to respond and to turnaround work products. We needed a website for a medical practice, which was a bit outside her normal clientele, but Chantel went above and beyond to ensure we were happy with the finished product. Overall a 10/10 experience.

MATTHEW MOSSELER

The platforms and processes she used were very streamlined and efficient, which made our lives easier.

executive coach, SAN FRANCISCO

You gave me some great options. The placeholder photographs you found were particularly helpful in making sure I ended up with the right images for my brand.
I would absolutely recommend you to coach friends looking to put together their website!

cammie dunaway

Very responsive to my comments and incredibly fast!

Let’s get your website reflecting where you are in business, and not where you were.