Chamomile, heaven scent!

Recently in the office we have been swooning over our latest location ‘Chamomile’  a dreamy Victorian end of terrace house with original and contemporary features. This lovely location has been designed specifically for photographic and filming shoots in mind, so we simply had to blog about it!

First up to show off this property, we have the gorgeous open plan kitchen and living room area. This area is flooded with daylight and features a modern brick set fireplace.

Chamomile’s beautiful, calming kitchen

Just look at the gorgeous pink units…♥

The peaceful dining room annex

The dining room features a lovely metallic table, fireplace, top daylight and light coloured critter windows.

Next up we have the separate sitting room which features a marble fireplace, a beautiful bay window and stunning herringbone oak parquet flooring.

The bay sash windows flood light into the room

Upstairs we have the main bedroom, which features another gorgeous bay window, cast iron radiators and white painted floorboards. A perfect blank canvas for any shoot. 

The white floorboards reflect the light making the room feel bigger

Finally, we absolutely love the marble tiles and brass fittings in the bathroom.

A lovely place to take a bath!

This is only a sneak peek of our new location ‘Chamomile’,  to see more photographs click here. 

What a dream house this is. <3 

Katie x

Contemporary retro

The 70s wasn’t just about disco balls, lava lamps and shades of brown. It was a tough period, where recession and high unemployment led to an era where sustainable principles and self-expression were at the heart of design. I’ve scoured our library to find locations with subtle 70s nods, reimagined in a contemporary setting.

Shepperton – Our new location Shepperton has a distinctly grown-up feel to it. Stepping away from garish florals, the monochrome geometric pattern with gold hints shows us how a feature wall is done.

Not for the faint-hearted…

Steel – Orange was undoubtedly the colour of the decade (and my favourite too) – this INCREDIBLE sofa at Steel is the stuff of groovy 70s interior dreams.

Great use of colour with raw materials

Kingsley – Impeccably polished Kingsley is a beautifully-designed modernist space that uses dark wooden panelling to create 70s chic without compromising on light. If that’s too subtle then spot the disco ball….

Simple & stylish

Olive – Olive has become one of our most swooned over locations here at 1st Option HQ. It’s hard to pinpoint one trend in this stunning family home but I’ll give you a moment to take in the abundance of greenery in this shot as the 70s back to nature movement loved to bring the outside in.

Everyone loves some greenery!

Deerhurst Road – We can’t complete our 70s feature without including Deerhurst Road. The abundance of wallpaper, wood panelling and the avocado green bathroom is more than a nod to the era but I just can’t resist.

Settle yourself in the rattan hanging chair and ponder where they sourced that magnificent shag?

Faye x

Groovy baby!

Autumnal Glow

As the temperature drops and the leaves fall from the trees, it’s safe to say that Autumn is officially upon us!

In the Autumnal spirit, this weeks blog features a few of my favourite cosy locations (from left to right)

Rural Retreat, a classic country barn located in the Cotswolds with a variation of gorgeous wood panelled walls, original beams throughout and a feature log burner – certainly a glowing location!

Culmington, a gorgeous Queen Ann country house featuring a classic country living space and beautiful lawns in Shropshire. This gorgeous fireplace is perfect for warming up after a nice country walk.

At our Lower Clapton Warehouse, an East London gem, let us introduce Huxley who can be found tucked away in this characterful nook by the fire.

Last by no means least we have Barn Estate, a luxury barn conversion situated within 2 acres of landscaped gardens in Hertfordshire – we’d definitely be fighting the dog for this seat…

Sophia x

Photo credit: Lower Clapton Warehouse: Huxley by Liz Seabrook 

East vs West: What’s your cup of Rosy Lee?

From East to West London, our beloved, well-preserved capital is a filmaker’s paradise! Whether you’re strolling past the elegant townhouses of Sherlock Holmes’ Marylebone or pacing the mysterious Victorian streets of Jack The Ripper’s Whitechapel, there’s atmosphere around every corner.

“West is best”, as the saying goes…but do you agree? Whilst the West End might be the Hollywood’s darling, we’ve found many a hidden treasure along the ginger line…

Our exclusive mansion location, ‘Aslan’, is a Georgian gem in Mile End:

The faded grandeur of Aslan

East:1 West:0

Meanwhile, have a butcher’s hook at this bohemian artist’s residence in W6 ‘Upper Mall’ 

Huge rooms and lots of light

East:1 West:1

Travel further South-West to our exclusive location ‘Blake House’ for luxe, contemporary interiors:

Simplicity in design

East:1 West:2

There’s more to be found in Dalston than just doner kebabs. Check out this feast for the eyes, Dalston Delight

Modern & stylish

East:2 West:2

And we couldn’t mention the trendy East end without highlighting this new industrial warehouse locationSteel’, perfect for futuristic shoots:

image

East:3 West:2

What the West lacks in warehouses, it makes up for in wood panelling! One of the team’s favourite houses, 8teen’ is perfectly put together:

Neutral colour palettes and an abundance of wood paneling!

East:3 West:3

So there you have it – a tie! It seems wherever you shoot in London, you’ll find something special.

Cat x

Puppy Love (Pt.1)

We’re big dog lovers here at 1st Option HQ…

So I’ve pulled some of our favourite hounds to brighten up your Thursday…

From Great Danes to Cocker Spaniels, we’ve got you covered!

In Sevenoaks at the unique, modern Prism we have a graceful Great Dane often found taking the lift. Next up we have a gorgeous Cocker Spaniel taking a short break at the elegant Dalston Delight

These dogs might be ever so slightly pampered…

Heading North to the beautiful Lordship Park, a stunning greyhound can be found pondering life (aka what to have for dinner)…

Butter wouldn’t melt…

Saving the best until last. If you don’t already know the duo: meet Violet and Lilly (menace)… Violet dislikes opera and Lily is mad for anything edible. 

To be continued… 

Sophia x

Super South

There’s long been a friendly rivalry between North and South Londoners as to whose side of the river is King, but if you haven’t already heard it seems that the often less-loved Southern half is giving it’s rival a run for their money.

It’s as trendy as East London, leafy as the North and more affordable than West, South is in demand.

Did we also mention that we’ve taken on some amazing new locations that would make even the most committed North Londoners venture across the river too?

Our new Putney-based location 4teen is sleek and masculine with an amazing downstairs wine cellar – told you South of the river is more fun. 

Modern chic at our shoot location 4teen

Find Adventure in up-and-coming Brixton with it’s bright, bold colours, this location packs lots of personality with hints of our other favourite: millennial pink.

Great use of colour at Adventure

Don’t forget the green space that South has to offer. Step into the elegant Forest Villa and you’ll forget that you’re in one of the busiest cities in the World (almost).

Modern country style at Forest Villa

Our final offering is the impossibly trendy Hix House. With industrial features and an amazing central location in Bermondsey this is one of our most unique spaces.

Bringing the outside in at Hix House

Faye x

Shaken, not stirred

Skyfield looking elegant in the evening light

Our latest location ‘Skyfield’ is simply beautiful. The James bond inspired ‘Edwardian-Deco’ period country manor is one of the most beautiful locations in Hertfordshire…

Check out the seriously mirrored ceiling…

Sitting in 16.5 acres of land, this 9,155 sq.ft 6 bed manor overlooks uninterrupted panoramic views of rolling countryside. There is a separate 3 bed lodge perfect for shoot and stay, along with a sweeping driveway flanked with cherry blossom trees.. what more could you want ?

Looks like a very comfy bed…

We love the relaxing neutral colour scheme throughout…

Not a bad view from the terrace…

With its outside pool, it’s a perfect location for sipping a vodka martini – shaken, not stirred of course!

Katie x

Wormland shoot at 78 location

WORMLAND stands for a smart, self-confident and exclusive style.  A company inspired by artistic influences, expressive campaigns, photographs with famous photographers and models, putting Metropolitan Lifestyle on the scene.

Check out the recent photos from a shoot they produced at our lovely location 78 in east London…..

Moody fashion at our shoot location 78

Dark colours, stone walls and working fireplaces, this unique shoot location offers the kind of backdrop unlikely to be found anywhere else!

We love the retro furniture <3

Katie x

Client: Wormland
Photographer: Felix Krüger
Production: Lila Management

Keira Knightley at Lordship Park

Some fabulous BTS footage here of the stunning Keira Knightley at our Lordship Park location.

Shot for Harper’s Bazaar back in September and featuring an enviable stash of CHANEL accessories, we love the regal styling and beautiful pastel colours.

We don’t mean to ‘Harp’ on but this is Lordship Park at its finest!

Behind the scenes with Keira Knightley at Lordship Park

Even Keira herself can’t believe how beautiful the location is…

To book Lordship Park for your next shoot – call us now on 0207 284 2345

Coffee at Clapham Common

As Winter is definitely upon us, a cup of coffee can surely not be improved on… No, we’re not talking about the usual Starbucks festive bevvies; George Clooney and our Clapham Common location have gone one better!

This advert from Nespresso was ‘shot’ earlier this year… (if you pardon the coffee pun) 😉

 We also LOVE this Behind the Scenes video with gorgeous George and the crew on set…

Clapham Common is exclusive to 1st Option. 

To book Clapham Common for your next shoot – call us now on 0207 284 2345