Daring to be different

Here at 1st Option we have never been short of unique and striking properties, ranging from the most incredible family homes to styled studios all the way to renovated gin distilleries. Since lockdown we may have had to put things on hold as shooting was not possible to continue, however, since the easing of lockdown commenced, we have had more and more properties become available where socially distanced shooting can safely begin again, and as always you are not going to be short of an exceptional shoot location. So if you are thinking about life after lockdown and getting back to work, then check out our catalogue of unique and completely different shoot locations that are available right now!

The first location here is something rather special, Jubilee Tavern is in fact a Georgian public house located in the heart of the East End of London. The location itself boasts a shabby chic interior that features leather seating, a wooden bar top, beer taps as well as period wallpapers and prints. This is all complimented by leaded windows and a whole host of one of a kind ornaments and furniture.

Shabby Chic interiors of Jubilee Tavern

Looking for something a bit more slick and pristine? Then Optical is certainly for you. This East London shoot location is a four-storey townhouse that perfectly mixes period features with mid-century modernist lighting and furniture. The colour tones offer fresh pastels mixed with crisp whites, which perfectly blend with the use of wooden flooring and furniture that are seen throughout.

Fresh pastels Optical has to offer

Rocket Gallery is our next featured shoot location, and it’s easy to see why. Again located in East London, this studio/art gallery offers a well-lit studio space with a white backdrop that runs the whole way around the shoot space. This is perfectly complemented by bold pops of colour that can be found on the artwork and furniture located around the gallery.

Pops of bold colour make for a striking shoot location

Moving to South London (not all our properties are located in East London), Hither is the next shoot location to become available for shooting again. This Victorian house has been completely stripped back to its bare bones and then styled in the most minimalist Scandi aesthetic you could imagine. Featuring wooden flooring and furniture set against exposed brickwork, Hither really is a dream of a shoot location.

Minimalist interior styling of Hither

Last but by no means least, we present Old Chelsea Factory, a truly unique large scale warehouse located in the borough of Chelsea and Kensington. Due to its size it is perfect for a socially distanced film or photoshoot. It is a single storey warehouse space at first glance, however, it features a basement that is adorned with its original 70’s style aesthetic. On the main floor, Old Chelsea Factory has 12 vast windows that offer tons of natural light, parquet flooring and 4.5 metre ceilings.

70’s style aesthetic of Old Chelsea Factory

We are available on our normal line so if any of these properties give you the urge to get back to it then give us a call or drop us a message, we are always here to help with any of your shooting requirements.

Going Back to Work

As we enter the ninth week of lockdown there is a slightly different feeling in the air of London. Whether that be from the reduced amount of pollution in the air or more likely, the easing of lockdown and the impending return to life as we know it, there is definitely something on the horizon for the population of the UK. Over the past two weeks we have seen an influx of businesses and industries return to work with many different measures in place to make it safe to do so. The working world may look slightly different to how it was before, however, slowly and surely the United Kingdom is starting to get its cogs moving forward again. With much of the retail and hospitality industries returning to work it was only a matter of time before the rest of the country followed suit where safe and possible.

While work hasn’t stopped here at 1st Option, working from home has certainly brought about a different way of life with its own set of challenges to overcome. Nonetheless, we have faced them head on and now we can clearly see that we have overcome them. As a business that relies heavily on crews of people working together, when the lockdown was put into full effect we could have shut up shop and waited for life as we knew it before to return before opening up again, however, optimism and positivity were the buzz words that have guided our team through these toughest of times. Through engaging with our clients, behind the scenes we have been tirelessly working to see how we can come back from this pandemic stronger than ever with a greater understanding of our client’s needs and wants moving forward.

Work Life in the Office

Because of this, we are now at an incredibly exciting moment where we not only are starting to take bookings again, but also at a stage where we can safely look at returning to the office to really get the ball rolling. After nearly three months of working from home this genuinely is the most exciting news we could have hoped for. There is only one way forward and we have to tackle everything head on, which is why we now have the ability to implement thorough strategies to allow for safe shoots. We hope that once we do return to the office in the coming weeks that we can kick on from the position we have been able to align ourselves with and get more and more people back to business as usual.

As of right now we are on the right path, in rigorous contact with clients talking though how and where it is safe to shoot again. Because of this, we do now have a wide selection of shoot locations that are available to shoot in right now, ranging from stately homes all the way to boathouses. You can check them all out under our ‘restriction friendly‘ filter on the website, for now though, here are a few teasers to get you as excited as we are for what’s to come.

Another of our incredible shoot locations that is safe and available to shoot in the spacious and fabulously luxurious Soho Loft. This apartment is located in the famous Soho Lofts complex and is one of the largest in the whole complex, making it perfect for a socially distanced shoot. Designed by an award-winning interior designer, the space is finished with a rustic aesthetic, completed to the highest of standards, featuring exposed brick and a whole host of unique furnishings and backdrops.

Award winning interior styling of Soho Loft

Offering something completely different is the ever popular Spratts Factory. Spratts Factory is in fact exactly what you would expect, a warehouse/factory that has been beautifully converted into a home. Keeping many of its original features, this East London shoot location features double height ceilings, exposed brickwork throughout and some gloriously large crittal windows. With the eye-catching polished wood flooring complementing the exposed brick and striking furniture, Spratts Factory offers a striking industrial chic aesthetic that can’t be replicated.

The Gorgeous Interior styling of Spratts Factory

Finally, we give you the aptly named Cheyne, a superb houseboat located in Chelsea, featuring loads of incredible features as well as space, making it perfect for a distanced shoot with a small crew. Benefitting from floor to ceiling crittal windows, this Scandi style houseboat not only offers an abundance of natural light but some truly spectacular views of the City and the River Thames. Finished to a very high spec with wooden flooring, countertops and furnishings as well as tiled areas, this unique shoot location has tons to offer and is available to shoot in right now.

The unique shoot location that is Cheyne

As stated at the top of the article, we are incredibly excited to get back to business as usual, however, we must reiterate that we are only able to do this where it is safe to do so. There have been ample measures put in place by our amazing owners to make sure that all of our locations have enough space and PPE available to allow this to happen. If you are ready to go back to work and are interested in any of the properties listed here, or in fact the rest that are featured within our ‘restriction friendly‘ section, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our amazing bookings team, we are always here to help! 

Styled Studios

Ten days have now passed since our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced that there would be certain measures taken by the Government and Police Forces to ease aspects of this nationwide lockdown that has gripped us for the past nine weeks.  People are now allowed to come into contact with other individuals, as long as the two metre social distancing measures can be adhered to, and certain jobs and industries have been advised that they should return to work where it is safe to do so.

Since then we have been in rigorous contact with our clients and location owners, looking at ways in which we can safely help get people’s businesses back up and running. We now have a wide variety of properties, including styled studios, houses and apartments, that are available and that comply with the government’s social distancing laws. If you are ready to get back to work and start shooting, we should be able to help you with any of your shooting requirements.

If you are in need of a studio for your next shoot but are struggling for inspiration then you have come to the right place as we, as always, have an incredible range of styled studios that are available and safe to shoot in right now.

The first studio we have to offer is the remarkably eye-catching Friendly Place. This large warehouse style shoot location is set over multiple floors, each offering a completely different aesthetic, with a whole host of quirky props and unusual backdrops, allowing for endless shooting opportunities. This purpose made shoot location has multiple set up areas which are perfect for social distancing and due to its versatility, has great scope for creating unique and striking imagery.

Friendly Place’s unusual and quirky backdrops

Staying in East London and with the quirky and offbeat aesthetic, Dalston Heights is our next styled studio that is safe and available to shoot in. Suitable for filming and photoshoots, this eclectic studio is spread over a vast amount of space making it an ideal spot for some socially distanced shooting. What’s more, the space is specifically designed for shoots with as many interesting and wacky props as you could imagine.

Striking furniture and props of Dalston Heights

Up next we go to north London and the 2600 sq ft studio, Belt Craft. This ex-textile factory situated near Seven Sisters has been completely stripped back to its rawest elements with wooden flooring and exposed brickwork, offering you the chance to put your own spin on your shoot. The space oozes character due to its interesting props and furniture that are complemented by tons of natural light.

The raw stylings of Belt Craft

Our next location also hails from North London and is also an ex-textile factory, this time an ex-buckle factory. Again, similarly to Belt Craft, Buckle Factory has been stripped back to its rawest elements with original wooden panelling, exposed brickwork and concrete flooring adding to the space’s character. With large windows all around, the studio offers loads of natural light for your shooting needs.

Bucke Factory’s concrete flooring and exposed brickwork

Last but by no means least we give you The Lab. Perfectly suited for social distancing, this former tram depot has been beautifully restored into a completely open plan 2600 sq ft studio and is situated in the heart of East London. Standout features include wooden beams, stone flooring white brick feature walls. Furthermore, due to an array of skylights the studio benefits from tons of natural light that compliment the stripped back decor inside.

Tons of natural light at The Lab

If you are looking to get back shooting and are in need of a studio then get in touch via email, telephone or on our website, we have many more available properties and are happy to talk through the measures that are in place to help make sure that everyone is safe.

Socially Distanced Shooting

For the last two months life has ground to a halt, shops have closed, businesses have shut their doors and staff have been made to work from home. Everyone has had to adjust to a new way of life, doing their bit by staying at home to protect the NHS and save lives.  Because of this, many industries and companies have had to press the pause button on moving forward with business as usual, one of which of course has been location agencies. However, after two months of lockdown and social distancing, on the Sunday 10th of May, our Prime Minister Boris Johnson eased the lockdown allowing certain industries to return to work where social distancing could be adhered to. Behind the scenes here at 1st Option we’ve been discussing how we can safely allow shoots to start up again, including checking in with location owners and clients. We have a brand new section on our website called ‘restriction friendly’. These homes have procedures in place to allow small crews to safely shoot. 

If you are in need of a location for your shooting requirements, then worry no more as we now have an abundance of properties available whilst complying with the government guidelines on social distancing. 

First up, we give you the quirky and extremely eye catching Blue. Situated in North London, Blue is immensely trendy and modern with minimalist features running throughout the property making it ideal for photoshoots and filming. Inside you find a striking property with many arty furniture pieces that consist of bold structures and colours, that are often juxtaposed by natural coloured walls and concrete flooring that run throughout. On top of this, the property features some incredible wooden beams that are complemented by an abundance of natural light. 

Blue’s eye catching living space

Next up we go South of the River and offer up Kempshott Road located walking distance from Balham Brixton and Streatham, however, there is free on street unrestricted parking that is perfect for crews driving to locations to avoid public transport. Kempshott Road is a recently restored and renovated five bedroom Victorian house that has kept many of its original period features. This photographic property offers a diverse range of styles and features throughout including ceiling roses and period fireplaces in some parts, industrial unique and ravaged styles in other parts and more delicate feminine styles in other parts of the property. Due to its eclectic range of features and styles, you won’t be short of unique backdrops for your shooting needs here. 

Kempshott Road’s striking bathroom

Moving back to North London, our next property that is currently available for photoshoots and filming is the ever popular Nash, located between Islington and Dalston. Nash offers a contemporary forward thinking vibe that is reminiscent of the Scandi style that has been at the forefront of interior styling for so long, with a natural palette and understated decoration throughout. Due to a completely open plan ground floor, Nash’s muted colour tones that are set against the lighter and more airy kitchen space offer a perfect backdrop for photoshoots and filming as they allow for tons of natural light to spread in through the crittal windows. 

Tons of natural light form the crittal windows

Our next available property comes in the form of the beautiful Balham House, located in South London. Set over several floors, Balham House is owned and designed by a stylist and because of this, has an array of features that make it ideal for photoshoots. Standout features include parquet flooring throughout, antique beds and other antique furniture pieces as well as quirky props. This is all set against a fresh neutral palette that shows off the properties incredible features. On top of this Balham House has a fantastically modern kitchen, living room and terraced garden that allows for a wide variety of shooting requirements. 

Gorgeous parquet flooring

If you’re looking for something more specific, however, then we also have you covered. Take a look at High View 2. With two kitchens, both boating completely different aesthetics, High View 2 is the perfect location for a cooking shoot. The first kitchen offers a gorgeous fresh palette complemented by wooden flooring, a marble countertop and an Aga to match. Furthermore, due to the large windows that look out onto the garden at the back, there is an abundance of natural light that floods in. The second kitchen comes in a crisp white colour tone that allows you to style the area however you see fit.

The first of High View 2’s kitchens

Finally, if a studio is what you are after then Concrete Studio is also available now. Situated in East London, Concrete Studio is a 1020sq ft studio with double height ceilings, polished concrete flooring and underfloor heating. All of this makes it perfect for filming and photoshoots. On top of this, There are 2 x 16 amp single phase commando socket supplies, 1 x 32 amp single phase commando socket supplies, 8 X 13 amp twin switch socket supplies and 63 amp 3 phase and neutral switch interlock socket facilities in the studio. If this wasn’t enough, It also has a wet room, kitchenette with oven, hotplates, coffee machine, toaster, grill etc. There is a double height scaffold tower available for shooting from above, and the fluorescent lighting is dimmable.  

Concrete Studio

We’re here to discuss your shoot needs on our normal office line or on email so please do give us a ring if you would like to discuss a potential shoot.

Working From Home, We’re Obsessed with Podcasts

Are you listening to podcasts yet? Well neither was I until fairly recently, aside from the occasional one on youtube about a matter I was particularly interested in, on that specific day, I had never given podcasts that much thought. I always believed that if I needed information about something, the best place to get the information would be an article or a book. In fact it wasn’t until the start of lockdown that I truly harnessed the power of the podcast. After seeing an advert from ITV and BT promoting podcasts, how to use them and how they can benefit you during lockdown, I decided to look into them and the rest is history as they say.

During these times, with half the nation furloughed and the whole nation bound between their four walls, there has never been a better time to broaden your knowledge and podcasts are the perfect way to do this with podcasters producing content every week based around literally any topic ranging from lifestyle, arts, music and style all the way to politics, business, education and technology. There are even weekly podcasts dedicated to things like murder mysteries or general chit chat’s. The possibilities literally are endless, you genuinely won’t be able to run out of things to listen to. So without further ado, we give you our favourite podcasts to listen to right now from the 1st option team to you.

First up we have Sophia and her choice ‘Women’s Health “Going for Goal”’. As a fitness fanatic obsessed with all things health and wellbeing, I was delighted to discover a recent Series launch by Women’s Health Magazine, “Going for Goal”. Senior Editor Roisin Dervish-O’Kane takes you through popular wellbeing topics including nutrition, health and emotional wellbeing. The episodes are around 30 minutes each and have at least 1 guest speaker, my favourite so far has to be Dr Hazel Wallace’s appearance on “How to Meal Prep And Spend Less on Food.” There is already a wealth of content available, which is great for those (like me!) who air on the side of inpatient, recent episodes include special COVID-19 content including beating the working from home burnout.

Moving on we give you Kate’s first choice, ‘You must remember this’. For years I’ve only listened to one podcast since it’s my absolute favourite. ‘You Must Remember This” is a podcast exploring the secret and/or forgotten histories of Hollywood’s first century. As a huge fan of film, it’s amazing to hear the stories behind the films and the stars that I love. There are seasons on the silent era, old Hollywood blondes like Marilyn Monroe and Jean Harlow, the corruption of MGM studios, the Manson Murders and individuals like Madonna, Joan Crawford and Frank Sinatra. The host, Karina Longworth’s voice takes some getting used to but once you have you really sink into the amazing, well researched stories.

Taking you slightly more towards the fashion and lifestyle industries our next choice was ‘Dressed: The History of Fashion’. As someone who is incredibly interested in fashion and clothing, in general, this was a no brainer for me, and hopefully something that you could really while the hours away with, learning about the fascinating and complex history behind the clothes we wear today. Launched by HowStuffWorks, the podcast delves into the social and cultural constructs around the why, who, what, when and wear around clothes. Some episodes explore the origins surrounding our favourite fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Coco Channel and Yves Saint Lauren while others dive into dress codes and why certain groups have an affiliation with that certain style of dress. For example, one recently was on the tradition of prom in the united states and the formation of the teenage obsession with it. After all, many subcultures and even cultures themselves have their roots and ideologies surrounded by dress sense and style so learning about fashions origins and how it links to culture, is a truly compelling and a must listen.

Next up Nina-Jade takes you back to the world of film with her choice, the exceptional ‘Scriptnotes’. As someone who has been acting my whole life and completely obsessed with acting and the whole industry, educating myself through a light hearted medium was something I had been longing for for a while. When I stumbled across Scriptnotes a few years ago it opened my eyes massively and with hundreds of episodes ready and waiting there are endless hours of content covering all aspects of screenwriting and the film industry more generally. Hosted by John August, the screenwriter behind countless Tim Burton films, and Craig Mazin who wrote The Hangover films, the podcast offers precious tips on the sweet science of screenwriting and how to crack Hollywood as well as some stellar interviews with Hollywood’s elite for good measure. I would recommend Scriptnotes in a heartbeat if you are interested in films and acting, the hosts genuinely care about educating and inspiring the listeners so give it a listen and you wont be left pondering about time wasted.

Another fascinating podcast I have been completely engrossed with in recent months is Desert Island Dishes. The captivating podcast is based on the ever famous radio 4 show Desert Island Discs, swapping out music for food. They aren’t currently making new episodes, however, there is enough of a backlog to keep you going for months. Hosted by chef and cookery writer Margie Nomura, the podcast invites a whole range of chefs and celebrities to choose five dishes that have changed their lives. It is truly fascinating to learn about such a diverse range of cooking styles, techniques and ingredients. If you are a foodie like me then this is also a must listen!

So there you have it, five incredible podcasts covering a wide range of topics that are ready and waiting for you to sink your teeth into. Give it a go and you won’t be let down!

9 Interior Stylists You Should Already be Following

Whether your taste leans more towards minimalism with crisp colour tones and clean lines or a bold aesthetic utilising colour, patterns and texture, you’re sure to find a style that inspires you here. Sit back and take a look at 10 amazing interior stylists and creatives that you should already be following.

To kick things off we have Lorraine Dawkins, a specialist in interiors, prop styling for food and creative consultancy. Some of our favourite images on her feed are the room sets she styles as a regular contributor to House Beautiful Magazine, and her impressive portfolio also includes clients such as Dulux, John Lewis and Sanderson. If you’re looking for a stylist with a keen eye for colour coordination and aesthetically pleasing symmetry then this is the account for you.

Next up we give you Olivia Gregory, a London based creative director, interior stylist, prop stylist and set designer. The former style editor at House and Garden Magazine has 5,358 followers on her Instagram account and it’s as plain as day to see why. The account elegantly showcases her own personal style as well as her incredible interior design ranging from Meditteranean aesthetics with biophilic design to more muted palettes.

Moving swiftly on we find Lucy Gough, an experienced interior stylist who also lectures at the prestigious Central St Martins. If you are not only looking for an account that will give you endless design inspiration, which this account 100% will, but one where you can actually learn about the industry and become a stylist yourself then this account is a must follow! Lucy offers a new online course where she will teach you everything needed to become an interior stylist, her styling truly is remarkable!

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An outdoor sitting room! All the furniture in this shot is for outdoors. The sofa, rug, light, stool, table…everything is for outside! Styled by me and shot by @sibev for @youmagazine. Sofa from @conranshopofficial White outdoor armchair @lignerosetuk, pink beanbag @madedotcom, floor lamp @fermob at @barbedshop, yellow stool @jennifernewman_studio, blue coffee table @petitefriture at @thedoshop, pink rug from @benuta, neutral rug @woven_rugs, megaphone from @sunnylifeaustralia, cushion from @westelmuk and the blue @duluxuk paint is called Regal Silk! #outdoorshoot #outdoorfurniture #concrete #outdoorsofa #foldingchair #greenery #foliage #outdoorpendantlight #ikea #outdoorspace #photography #londonstylist #stylist #interiorstyling #interiorstylist #interiorstylingcourse

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Looking for the complete stylist? Well look no further as Sally Cullen of Sally_Stylist is just that, specialising in still life Interior Styling, Content Design, Events Styling and is also a top draw location and prop finder. We love the glimpses of the behind the scenes content Sally gives us on her feed, with thought provoking captions and mood boards from her latest projects. As if this wasn’t enough, she is also a self-proclaimed colour enthusiast which makes for one of the most pleasing Instagram accounts you’re going to see today. What’s life without a bit of colour hey!

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Today has been a crazy whirlwind of: meetings with builders, several long client conversations, options coming off, options going on, a new modem being installed (and our internet being down longer than I was comfortable with 😬), packing up more of our house before the side return starts next week, several visits to the loft and I still haven’t actually managed to do any of the work I wanted to do today. 🙄 I’m still at my desk working through my inbox (sadly nothing unusual about that) BUT I am going for a cheeky spa night on Sunday where I will hopefully get a little bit of R&R and if I’m really lucky it’ll be on a chaise as sumptuous as this one. A girl can dream, right? #easternpromise #chaise #silkcushions #kimonocushions #timetorelax💆 #interiorstylistuk #interiorstylistlondon #sallycullenstyling

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Sara Bird is next on our list, offering something slightly different to the rest of our entries so far. Ranging from classic to contemporary styling, Sara is a true creative offering a very diverse feed for your viewing pleasure. If you are keen on country chic then this is the account for you. As the style editor for country homes mag, you will get a true insight into country chic and its eclectic style that mixes antique furniture with pastels and florals that make for a dreamy account.

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Into interiors? Today kicked off design and style show time with the start of #focusdesign at @designcentrech . I’ve popped some of my favs in my stories but it was fun, fabulous and full on inspiration. Lovely to hook up with so many wonderful friends who just happen to be experts in the interiors field and share ideas and talk decorating non stop. My styling, commissioning, shooting and art direction cup is now brimming and with all my heads and multi tasking moments for them, me and us it’s deco-go-go-go!. Just how I/we like it! In the meantime, here’s one we made earlier….. @thehomingbird @thecontentednest @danduchars #Repost @countryhomesmag ・・・ Not too early for a fire, surely? We're feeling a little chilly today but this cosy set-up is warming our cockles… See the full shoot in our October issue, on sale now. Styling @sara_bird_stylist @thecontentednest Photograph @danduchars⁠ ⁠ #countryhomes #countrystyle #cosy #relax #countrydecor #countryhome #countryhomesmag #interiors #countryinteriors #instahomes #instainteriors #housesofinstagram #moderncountry #interiorinspo #cottagestyle #countryliving #interiorideas #interiordesign #interiorinspo #homedecoration #interiorlove #homeideas #livingthedream #autumn #fall #autumnstyle #livingrooms #livingroomsofinstagram

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If you’re looking for a slightly more muted, crisp and clean aesthetic then Diana Civil’s account is the one for you. The co-founder of the styleproducers is an interior stylist as well as a creative director and set designer. Check out her account for earth tones, stripped back aesthetics and tons of texture.

Head over to Claudia Bryant’s account if you’re looking for a stylist that incorporates a lot of artwork into her design. Expect to see striking uses of paintings, feature walls and murals. The interior stylist, art direction and interior design consultant also utilises her art background to create incredible eye-catching shoots.

London based freelance interior and food prop stylist, Ali Brown features next on our list. Offering something slightly different to the rest of the accounts, Ali’s account isn’t solely confined to interior styling, and showcases a more broad and general insight into the world of styling and design. Check out her account for fascinating artwork, bold fashion design and crisp interior design as well as some artsy photography.

Last but by no means least we give you Jennifer Haslam, a stylist, interior stylist and food prop stylist. As well as offering an insight into her eclectic life she elegantly showcases her personal style as well her interior design, a beautiful blend between the ever famous minimalist Scandi style that has been so popular and a more contemporary sustainable aesthetic that utilises colour. 

5 Home Decor Instagram accounts you should already be following!

With the majority of the world currently bound between the four walls of their own home, it’s easy to pick apart features that you perhaps have had issues with for many years, however, haven’t had the time to scrupulously inspect. With all this newfound free time we are having, maybe now is the perfect time to go over your property with that fine tooth comb and see what needs a bit of a lift. If you are struggling to find that needed inspiration, then worry no more, as we have collated some of the best home decor and interior design accounts Instagram has to offer. 

First up we have one of our very own amazing clients, Stephen and Miranda who own the eye-catching Nash. It is easy to think that many people fall into the industry because they have merely just bought an incredible property that is born ready for a shoot. However, what is often the case is that the owners’ themselves actually have a background in interior design, architecture and home renovations. Stephen does exactly this with his interior design studio based out of North London which specialises in interior design, architecture, design, property search and project management. Check out the account here if you’re interested in seeing how you could go about transforming your house with some fascinating before and after shots that will have you scampering to find your tools.

If you’re looking for pure design inspo then Emma and Simon have got you covered here. With their follower count currently at 28.5k and rising, you can see why the account is so popular. They may not boast a background in interior design with a company to match, but that doesn’t stop the account from being one of the most visually and aesthetically pleasing accounts on Instagram. What’s more, she even has a youtube account full of endless DIY hacks. With clean muted earth tones, biophilic design and polished wood flooring Emma and Simon can definitely give you that needed inspiration to help clean up your house. 

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Choosing a sofa is hard, even harder when you have 5 dogs as practicality really is top of the list. Our current sofa isn’t even 2 years old yet but I made an epic mistake when buying it from Sofology. Very soon after it arrived we noticed that the seat pads started to sag, and as they are attached and can’t be removed, they can’t be flipped or padded out. Over the last 22 months it’s got worse and is literally the most uncomfortable thing to sit on to the point that we often sit on the floor rather than sit on the sofa because it’s given us both a bad back 🙈 In terms of style it’s actually perfect, it has the mid century vibe that I love and the distressed leather is super practical for the dogs. So the hunt for a sofa that combines comfort (and flip-able cushions) with practically is on. We went to the Made.com showroom a couple of weeks ago to butt-test 🍑 this one as it’s definitely in the running 🛋 but no firm (😉) decisions have been made yet. #midcentury #leathersofa #madedesign

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Been a bit too clean so far? Well, Kimberly Duran’s account Swoonworthy has you covered here with her eclectic boho glam. If you were to type boho into Pinterest I’m pretty sure her account would be what you’d see, but with a fresh twist. With features ranging from parquet flooring to marble table and countertops, you’re not going to to be struggling for home inspiration. We absolutely love the differing shades of pastel pink and crisp interiors that juxtapose the eye-catching feature walls and artwork. You don’t have to look too hard to see why her blog was voted Amara best home styling blog 2019. And with only 31.2k followers, the account speaks for itself. 

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It's all in the details, right? I genuinely believe that any room can be brought to life with a few well-chosen accessories. Did you know I offer this as an online service? 😄🙌🏽 Basically, I can lend a helping hand to get your room finished with the final touches that can be so hard to get right. It's not full-on interior design – it's the accessories, plants, artwork, plants, scents – all those little design details that bring personality to a space and it's all done online so you don't even have to leave the sofa!! 💕💃 I've opened a couple of extra spots in February and I'm taking clients for March too so if you fancy getting some help if you have the foundations in place but it's just not feeling DONE, then click on the link in my profile and this image for more info! 👆🏽👆🏽⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ https://www.swoonworthy.co.uk/styling-service/⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #livingroom #livingroomideas #livingroomstyling #styling #finishingtouches #interiordesign #interiordesignideas #designsponge #interiorboom #styleithappy #livefabulousandfearless #luxuryinteriorsonabudget #howyouhome #ihavethisthingwithpink #abmlifeiscolorful #eclecticdecor #lonnyliving #makeyousmilestyle #designinspiration #designdeinteriores #decoracioninteriores #interior4inspo #eclecticdecor #livingetcmag⁠ #livingetcuk #sassyhomestyle

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Shall we delve into the darker worlds of interior design now? A far cry from the crisp earth tones and glorious pastels we have seen so far Abigail’s account focuses on richer sides of the colour spectrum and incorporates some marvellous use of texture. Author of ‘one of the hottest names in interiors right now’ and you can see why. Whether you have never given darker aesthetics a thought before or not, Abigail and her moody colour palette will have you converted in no time. Furthermore, the account has some great tips and behind the scenes videos and shots that can really help you nail down exactly what you are looking for in your property. She also has a beautiful Collie so go follow.  

What’s an article on home decor and interior design accounts without one focused on minimalist Scandi style. Perhaps the aesthetic of the past decade, and for good reason, it’s incredibly pleasing on the eye. Designhunter_uk is run by Helen Powell who is an award winning design and lifestyle blogger, so you’ll be in good hands here. At 19.1k followers, Helen’s account is probably one of the most visually satisfying accounts on Instagram with many insights into how to go about styling a property with a sustainable, minimalistic aesthetic. She also has her website linked where she delves into style guides and top tips, which is great for people who need a bit of creative inspiration. 

Ask the Location Owner: Episode 3

Sophia – Hello and welcome to another episode of Ask the Location Owner. Today we’re at Seymour.

Question 1

Sophia – Was your walk-in closet already in the house or is it a feature you added in?

Michaela – The walk in wardrobe is every girl and every woman’s dream and I always dreamt to have it and when we purchased this house we didn’t have it here at all and I was very lucky that I could completely design it from scratch so in answer to your question no it wasn’t here!

Question 2

S – What’s your favourite room in the house?

M – My favourite room would have to be our living room. It’s full of life and energy, flowers and I love the velvet sofa, it’s the ultimate luxury, I think.

Question 3

S – What makes your location stand out from others?

M – It would have to be the natural flow of the whole house, the light which is present in every room and very high ceilings.

S – Ahhh, I love a sauna! Now it’s time for Michaela’s top tip!

M – My top tips would be to set a boundary at the beginning of the day, tell them what you like, what you dislike and probably the bigger tip would be, have fun during the day!

Six Courses to Take in Quarantine

First off, we have an Interior Styling course hosted by a wonderful client of ours, Lucy Gough. An interior Stylist with an impressive portfolio including the likes of; M&S, Living ETC Magazine and Sofa.com. In addition to her commercial career, she has previously lectured at the infamous Central St Martins, so you are in good hands. 

Her recently launched Interior Styling course covers tips and tricks for creating Mood boards, Case Studies from magazines and brands she’s worked for, and how to create a portfolio from scratch. 

This course will suit anyone who wants to change career, design addicts and anyone who wants to expand their creative mindset! I will take you through real life case studies and show you step-by-step how to submit creative concepts to clients. 

She has an introductory offer of £99, full price (£179). For any enquires you can get in touch with Lucy at… https://lucygoughstylist.thinkific.com/courses/interior-styling

Shot by Simon Bevan for Living ETC Magazine at Tavistock

Second up we have an online cookery course for teens. With school closed for now and having to stay home for a bit? Why not learn to cook!

We have the pleasure of working with Lorna Wing and her wonderful house, Westover Road, she also runs a fantastic cookery school offering online cookery courses for teens and students, so if you have a teen who needs training up, this ones for you. Her courses are available wherever you are in the world, whenever you want, taking as long as you’d like. Food gurus Prue Leith, Rick Stein and Delia Smith all think they’re brilliant. They love that she’s teaching tech-savvy teens essential life skills and giving them kitchen confidence.

Whether they want to learn to cook for fun, because they’re soon heading off to uni or you’re working towards their DofE, this course is for you, even if they have an SEN. Her triple-tested recipes are simple to make and work every time. Furthermore, you’ll get personalised feedback via WhatsApp, having sent her photos of what you’ve made. 

Why not learn to cook with a friend or two? Just sign up together and cook alongside each other using FaceTime, Zoom or Houseparty. That way you can stay in touch, compare notes and encourage each other over the weeks. 

Duke of Edinburgh students can use her DofE-approved Introductory and Intermediate Courses to gain their Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards.

1. For 1 student, the cost is £150. Book via www.lornawingcookery.co.uk  

2. For 2 students, the cost is £125 each. Email lorna@lornawingcookery.co.uk  or call 020 8871 2507.

For every teen who signs up during this challenging time, Lorna will make donations to Wandsworth Foodbank, Mind and The Silver Line. 

www.lornawingcookery.co.uk 

Lorna’s fabulous home – Westover Road

Want to do something, but don’t know what? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Check out Kent Adult Education.

Kent Adult Education provide over 500 online courses in Arts, Craft, Languages, Fitness, Writing & Literature and many more. Learn a new skill or try a new hobby and meet like-minded people from the comfort of your own home.

With new courses added each week and prices starting from £20, there’s never been a better time to try an online course. Check out their courses here https://www.kentadulteducation.co.uk/courses/

 My top picks are:

 Botanical Art – Watercolour Painting

Date and duration: 04/05/2020 13:00 – 15:30 for 10 weeks

Price: £155.00

https://www.kentadulteducation.co.uk/courses/botanical-art-watercolour-painting-ton-77532-h-lc/

A Day of Life Drawing

Date and duration: 09/05/2020 09:30 – 15:00 for 1 week

Price: £50.00

https://www.kentadulteducation.co.uk/courses/a-day-of-life-drawing-ash-82851-h-nc/

Spanish Beginners – Summer School

Date and duration: 01/05/2020 13:00 – 15:00 for 7 weeks

Price: £109.00

https://www.kentadulteducation.co.uk/courses/spanish-beginners-summer-school-gra-80505-h-lc/

Keep busy with watercolour painting

Don’t worry if you are concerned that all of these courses are costly up to now, as we have you covered with these free courses also. Looking to brush up on your photography skills? Well, we have an amazing photography course for you.

The Nikon school are offering a range of online courses ranging from the Fundamentals of Photography to Photographing Children and Pets. The courses range between 15-55 minute and are delivered in pre-recorded video format. I’m keen to try one of their videography courses, eyeing this one up in particular! Creator’s Mindset: Creating Video Content with Z 50. 

Nikon’s mission has always been to empower creators. In these uncertain times, we can do that by helping creators stay inspired, engaged and growing.  creators stay inspired, engaged and growing.  

These courses are available until the 30th April free of charge via their website.

https://www.nikonevents.com/us/live/nikon-school-online/

Pick up a new skill

Next we have a delightful course on plant care for any of those budding gardeners that have sprouted over lockdown.

Struggling to keep that Alo Vera house plant alive? Online plant delivery service Patch have a series of ‘bitesize’ online courses consisting of 11 videos for indoor plants and 13 for outdoor, if you are lucky enough to have a garden or balcony!

https://www.patchplants.com/gb/en/plant-care/

And finally, if writing is more your forte or perhaps something you’ve always wanted to try, how about a poetry workshop? Rupi Kaur is an award-winning author and illustrator, follow along via Instagram Live with her 4 million followers on a poetry writing workshop, she has also made a few previous workshops available on IGTV.

https://www.instagram.com/rupikaur_/?hl=en