Aug 25, 2025
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2 min read
What Makes Celebrity Projects Unique?
1. Elevated Privacy and Security
Celebrity homes face heightened scrutiny. As designers, we must uphold strict non-disclosure agreements and tailor enhanced privacy in interior design, ensuring every team member shares the commitment to discretion.
2. Public Exposure Equals Pressure
When your work becomes public—whether in celebrity magazines, social media or broadcasts—it transforms into a public statement. Designing for public figures means navigating visibility with confidence and composure.
3. Unpredictable Timelines
Celebrity schedules fluctuate—shoots, appearances, travel. Celebrity interior design often demands extreme flexibility and creative solutions to meet tight, shifting deadlines without compromising craftsmanship.
4. Multiple Decision-Makers
Multiple voices—managers, publicists, family—can complicate approvals. Clear communication is essential to keep everyone aligned and preserve the design vision.
5. Brand & Aesthetic Fit
Not every designer’s style suits a celebrity’s personal brand. Rather than compromise integrity, we prioritize projects that align with both the client’s and our own design language.
6. Avoiding "Celebrity Discount" Expectations
While not universal, some designers have experienced situations where high-profile clients expect special rates or pro bono work in exchange for the prestige of working on their home. This can be unsustainable for a design business that relies on fair compensation for its services.
How to Handle These Projects Well
If you choose to work on a celebrity home, here’s our best-practice playbook:
1. Establish Clear Boundaries and Expectations Upfront
Define your process, fees, timeline and confidentiality in contracts—transparency upfront secures trust.
2. Prioritise Confidentiality and Trust
Make privacy, adherence to NDAs and secure site protocols foundational to the workflow. Emphasise your commitment to privacy and ensure all team members understand and adhere to strict confidentiality agreements. Building trust is crucial.
3. Stay Adaptable
Be prepared for schedule changes and be adaptable. Develop contingency plans for potential delays.
4. Communicate Proactively
Over-communication is key. Provide regular updates, be transparent about challenges, and ensure all decisions are documented.
5. Manage Expectations Around Public Exposure
Discuss early on if the project will be public-facing and how your design and credit will be presented.
6. Keep It Professional
While it's easy to be star-struck, remember to maintain a professional demeanor throughout the project. Treat them as you would any other client, focusing on their design needs rather than their public persona.
7. Build a Confidential Team
Partner with contractors and consultants who are reliable, discreet and respectful of the unique demands involved. A dedicated and experienced team can help manage the complexities and demands of these projects, from project managers to skilled tradespeople who also understand the need for discretion.
Why This Matters
Taking on a celebrity home isn’t just a project—it’s a commitment that must align with your values, bandwidth, and creative approach. At Xception, we choose work that allows us to design with integrity — for every client, celebrity or otherwise.
Ultimately, the goal is timeless. Whether designing for a public figure or creating a family home, our commitment remains the same: creating spaces that feel personal, functional, and meant to last.
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