This blog post introduces our readers to the social media platform TikTok. In the piece, 1st Option discusses how we have used TikTok and softwares like CapCut to raise brand awareness and really, to have some fun! This blog post is meant to be both fun and informative, giving basic tips on how to utilise the platform as a business, while telling everyone what we’ve been up to.

We’re back with our monthly instalment of top new locations for your perusal. As always, if you’re looking to be the first to shoot at some of the best new location homes that are entering the market, this is the place to be. Last month we saw two industry heavyweights return with their new shoot locations, as well as three differing family homes, all offering premium features, eclectic furnishings and bundles of space for unique and creative shooting opportunities. So, without giving too much away, let’s jump straight into it with our top five for September. 

With spring’s dew and rain well and truly behind us and temperatures soaring into the high 30’s, there has never been a better time to get out into the garden! Ranging from London family homes with enchanting gardens, to country estates with the best views you’ll see this year, we just had to give a rundown of our best gardens to shoot at in 2022.

Following on from our incredible video tour of Nash, with the owner and outstanding interior designer Stephen Nash, looking at the the features that make his style unique, his favourite elements and the challenges he faced throughout the renovation process; we sat down with him for a short interview to pick his brains about his favourite features, areas and places on earth.

If you live in London, you’ll be well aware of the age-old debate; which is the trendiest part of London? East Londoners think it is them, South Londoners think they’re having their time in the sun and West Londoners will point to their wealth for status. Today, however, we’re going to check out North London and see if they the trendiest properties in London.

In this second part of our interview with Ed Reeve of Blackwood House, we sat down to talk about his design style, how it influenced his one-of-a-kind home and the work that went into building such a unique property. Read on for some fascinating insights into the iconic property.

In the second of our new series of videos highlighting some of our favourite locations, we bring you the incredibly unique and eye-catching The Rock.

In the world of interior design, the word ‘texture’ gets thrown around a lot; design styles can’t be spoken about without using this buzzword in some way or another. There is a precise art to adding texture to a room, In the world of interior design, the word ‘texture’ gets thrown around a lot; design styles can’t be spoken about without using this buzzword in some way or another. There is a precise art to adding texture to a room, it encompasses a lot more than adding a frilled pillow here or some aged wood there. the key is to blend the rough with the smooth, understanding visual texture is just as important as physical texture. If done correctly, texture will tie the room together, however if done wrong or with no consideration, you will fall significantly short of the mark. Read on as the answer to what texture is and how to implement it within your home awaits. 

We met with Mark Dolan to talk about his amazing property Honeycomb, what his experiences were designing it, any positives and negatives from the experience and his favourite features within the home.

Minimalistic interior design incorporates clean lines, reduced clutter, monochromatic colour tones and simplicity at its heart – the idea behind minimalist design is ‘less is more’. While there are benefits and challenges to achieving this look, when designing a minimalist space, stick to a few key fundamentals.

What is interior design for you? Staying on-trend? Being ahead of the trends? Or celebrating your individuality, creativity and personality? Whatever it means to you, one thing that’s for sure is that thanks to the diverse range of styles that have been brought to our shores over the years, the UK has been left with an eclectic mix of styles, making it one of the most prominent style hubs across the globe. Check out our brief guide into the most popular trends across the UK right now.

Shabby chic, also known as vintage or country chic, is one of the more interesting design styles around grabbing your eye through its use of mixing a lived in worn look with elegance, charm and beauty. It may seem like a bit of a juxtaposition, fusing elegant and beautiful with worn in and stripped back, however, this is exactly why it does work. Check out an in depth view here

Over the past few months we have been lucky enough to take on some of the most gorgeous and eye-catching properties we’ve seen this year. With an array of new locations ranging from vineyards to hotels, November has seen some truly remarkable locations enter our books. Read on to see five of our favourites.

Interior photography is a complicated subject that does, if done well, require a variety of skills. When trying to show off the relevant features that set apart your property from the next, like room size, period features and the amount of natural light it possesses, merely using a smartphone camera is probably not going to …

Edwardian Architecture (1901- 1918) Following the flamboyance of the Victorian era, saw the emergence of a new era and architectural style, Edwardian. Characterised by a period of revivalism, the Edwardian era was heavily influenced by the Medieval, Baroque and Georgian movements of the past, taking inspiration from all, creating properties with a mishmash of styles …

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 …

Then you need to book a flight and visit these jaw-dropping film locations ASAP.

Take a peek behind the scenes at Lordship Park with Keira Knightley shooting for Harper’s Bazaar

Jose has been shooting the latest BT Sport ad…

If you have a moment have a look at the new Mango ad featuring Kate Moss which was shot at the fabulous location Oriel

Summer is fast approaching – even if it’s still a little chilly here in London. But while scorching summer days are feeling ever elusive, it’s super easy to bring a sense of Southern European coastal elegance into your home. Laid-back and timeless, Mediterranean-inspired interior design can create a touch of elegance and charm in any home. It’s been a popular interior design style for decades, and for good reason.

Following on from our incredible house tour of Roma, with the fabulous owner Marta Vilella-Vila, looking at the the features that make her home unique, her favourite elements and the challenges she faced throughout the renovation process; we sat down with her for a short interview to pick her brains about her favourite features, areas and why her home is the perfect shoot location.

Carrying on in the same vein as the rest of the year, June saw us take on a wealth of fantastic shoot locations. Ranging from industrial barn conversions in Warwickshire, to eclectic family homes in North West London, there’s something for everyone this month. Your next shoot location could be on this list, so make sure you stick with us as we jump into our top five for June. 

In the first episode of our new video series, ‘My Home My Haven’, the wonderful Stephen, who is an incredible interior designer and owns our fabulous location Nash, takes you on a tour of the house, highlighting the features that make his style unique, his favourite elements and the challenges faced throughout the renovation process. If you are interested in design, this is a must watch, with a wealth of insightful, interesting and truly fascinating tips, tricks and stories!

The new location showcase is back and boy have we brought it back with a bang; our third location in the series is the modern-yet-retro Palm Springs.

2021 was a year of change and growth for everyone – homes have become a hybrid of living and working, as well as our much needed sanctuaries away from the uncertainty of the pandemic. Nevertheless, our endeavour has been seen front and centre and we have stood up to all tests, turning things like working from home into positives. Make sure to read on as we look further into the changes in design, what colours will be on the rise and the materials you should be looking out for in 2022.

In the second installment of ‘In Conversation with’ we caught up with Louise Hardy and Nick Barr of Dacres. This time we chatted about their jobs as musicians and artists and whether they had any impact on the overall design of their South East London Home – Dacres.

As always at the start of a new month, we like to give you a rundown of our latest and greatest properties. Throughout June, the influx of brilliant residential properties has been immense, with locations ranging from country houses to vast Neo-Georgian family homes. Read on to check out the full range of our top five new locations for July. 

In contrast to the actual meaning of the word, modern or modernist design has its feet firmly planted in the evolution of the 20th century. Taking inspiration from movements of the time, modern design is a fuss free design style that works on clean lines, a minimal aesthetic and function before form. Within this article we are going to take you on a journey through the history of this iconic design style, the influences upon it and the core components that it comprises of today.

With the easing of restrictions coinciding with the return of hotter days, what better time to get back out and shoot in some of our more summery locations. With shoot locations ranging from large manor houses, equipped with vast gardens, to glass cubes, situated in the heart of London. Whatever the brief is, we are sure to have it covered over the next few months, with a selection of summer essentials!

In episode six of our series ‘Ask the Location Owner’ we chat with Nikki over video call to learn all about her home ‘Tierney’.

In episode four of our series ‘Ask the Location Owner’ we catch up with Amy over video call to learn all about her home.

It’s no secret that 2020 has thrown the rule book out the window on almost every aspect of life and society. And, while we haven’t seen a complete upheaval of ideas in the world of interior design, there has been a shift in focus. So check out this weeks interior design trend that we put into the spotlight, Industrial Design.

Registering your property with a Location Agency can be an incredibly thrilling, exciting and rewarding process, mentally as well as financially. However, before you get into the rigmarole you should go in with your eyes open knowing exactly what to expect, which should help to make the whole process as seamless as possible. It’s also important to bear in mind that 1st Option have incredibly high standards when it comes to arranging shoots for clients, so before deciding whether or not to register check out our top tips to ensure you’ll be able to keep these standards with us.

Every year (up ‘till now) millions of tourists flock to the United Kingdom to enjoy London and its rich cultural heritage and history. Part of this attraction revolves around the eye-catching buildings that can be found around the city and in essence make up a large part of London’s cultural landscape. Check out our brief guide to the architectural styles that have made London so famous around the world.

In episode two of our series ‘Ask the Location Owner’ we catch up with Nicola and Greg from our location Wavertree.
*This video was filmed before the UK lockdown on the 23rd March*

If you’re looking for the best studios in London for your shoots, call 1st Option!

George Clooney’s been looking a bit beaten-up at our shoot location Clapham Common while shooting the latest Nespresso ad…

Helen Mirren shoots for L’Oreal at Clapham Common

Will Youngs shoots his latest video at our fab location Line House

Following on from our incredible house tour of Spratts Factory, with the fabulous owner Elisabeth Ciarrocchi, looking at the design elements within her fantastic renovation of a disused dog biscuit factory; we sat down with her for a short interview to pick her brains about her favourite features, what it’s like to live in a factory building and why her home is the perfect shoot location.

As the name suggests, Japandi design refers to the blend of Scandinavian and Japanese interior styles. Why would you blend these two unlikely trends? Well, they’re both actually fairly similar and promote similar core tenets, in fact elevating each other. If you want to get to grips with this ever popular design trend, make sure you read on as we deep dive into the trend’s characteristics, why Scandi and Japanese blend so well together and how to get it right in your own home. 

After what feels like a lifetime of ‘greige’ living rooms, paired with carefully positioned coffee table books, next to the same arrangement of Diptyque or Jo Malone candles, it’s a pleasant change of pace to see maximalist design entering the mainstream again. Read on if you’d like to leran about what this design style is, its key characteristics, design tips and unpack where it came from and why it’s so popular right now.

In our third edition of the classic spot the difference, we bring you Store Cupboard. As always, it’s all a bit of fun, but the lucky so and so who can find all ten differences before the end of May will receive a half-price booking fee on their next shoot! Will it be you?

It’s that time of the month again; when we like to give you the lowdown on the top properties that came through our doors in March. With properties ranging from textile factory conversions to architect-designed new builds in South East London, as always we have a little something to cover all angles. So check out our top five for March here.

As 2021 rapidly draws to a close, we thought we’d provide one last chance to populate your mood boards with breathtaking interior inspiration. What a year it has been for taking on new properties! Read on to check out our top five for November; you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more varied and eclectic mix of properties. From architect-designed new builds in London, to renovated barns and tropical family homes oozing with colour, there is something for everyone this month. 

Long gone are the days when country design embodied dimly lit, dark farmhouses with ubiquitous amounts of knitted tea cosies, traditional florals and checkered prints. Country design has grown immeasurably over the last few decades, differing from the traditional interpretations, modern country design allows for playful and nuanced elements that are creating an idyllic classic.Read on as we explore the design style in more detail.

When choosing a location for a photoshoot, (whether that be portrait, product or lifestyle) there will always be tons of complexities that go into the choice. When it comes to choosing a location for a fashion shoot, it gets a whole lot harder. Read on to check out our diverse range of locations that are ideal for fashion shoots.

At the start of the month, as always, we like to give you the opportunity to glean your eyes over some of our latest and greatest properties turned shoot locations last month. Throughout May, the influx of breathtaking residential properties has been received like never before. With properties ranging from sublime Victorian villas, to substantial new builds with acres of land, there is a shoot location to fit any brief.

Though originating in the North East region of the United States, New England design has infiltrated the UK’s design scene, becoming an interior staple for many years now. Read on to see how how this style can be implemented into your home today!

In the 20th Century, Art Deco was one of the most exciting, ground-breaking and influential design styles the world had ever seen and as so, still has a huge influence on interior design in the 21st century. As a design style, Art Deco is elegant, opulent, functional and modern and although it was actually first …

With 2020 finally behind us, I don’t think anyone is looking back with particularly fond memories. With the ushering of a new year, however, we do say goodbye to what went before and with that comes new trends to look forward to in the coming year. While 2020 said hello to biophilic design, maximalism and …

Although traditional locations can and do often fit the shoot brief perfectly, there is sometimes a place and time for something a little more unusual. Fortunately, working in London, one of the most diverse creative hubs in the world, we are lucky enough to be able to represent some of the most interesting and quirky locations the capital has to offer. So sit back and check out our top 5 unique spaces.

With the gentrification of nearly every corner of London, and despite many people saying that it has stomped out vast amounts of culture, it has opened the door for sways of people to move further out from the city centre. With East London the first place to get gentrified, by now it has gone full …

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 …

As winter’s ever harsh grasp slowly untangles itself for another year, a duly welcome spring rears its head and we say hello to longer days, shed loads of sunshine and in due course, the luscious greenery that we have oh so come to associate with spring. With warmer days ahead, it will very soon be …

Introducing Coin, a great warehouse conversion office space overlooking the City

1st Option were happy to help with the main locations for the fantastic new Ab Fab movie!

L’Oreal have just shot a fab new video at our shoot location Clapham Common

Not on the High Street shoot their latest video at our location exclusive Vallance House

First, we took a trip around East London, looking at the best properties it had to offer, then we analysed North London, deciding on our top 5 locations in that distinct pocket of London. With locations ranging from bachelor pad-style homes in Brixton, to architect-designed new builds in Wimbledon, this week we bring you our top 5 trendiest shoot locations in South London.

Following on from our incredible house tour of Honeycomb, with the owner and director Mark Dolan, looking at the the features that make his home unique, his favourite elements and the challenges he faced throughout the renovation process; we sat down with him for a short interview to pick his brains about his favourite features, areas and why his home is the perfect shoot location

In our fourth edition of the classic spot the difference, we bring you Billie. As always, it’s all a bit of fun, but if you can find all ten differences you could get a half-price booking fee on your next shoot this June! Top tip – most of them are pretty easy… 🙂

Our fourth property to feature in the new location showcase is one of the most eye-catching properties you’re likely to find, welcome to The Compound. 

Welcome to the first edition of our new spot the difference series, this week at Marilyn. It’s all a bit of fun, but anyone who can find all ten differences and send them to us before the next edition goes live is welcome to a half price booking fee on their next shoot!

In episode 8 of Ask the Location Owner we were lucky enough to go round and have a chat with Ed Reeve of Blackwood House.

This month we’ve taken on a whole host of new properties, resulting in one of the toughest top five’s we’ve ever had. This month expect to see properties ranging from farmhouses in Wales, to penthouses in London and converted barns in Kent, to Victorian Villas in South West London. If you have been keeping up with our top five series this year, you’ll certainly want to stay with us today, as we get into the top five for September. 

To many, coastal design encompasses blue and white everything – with seashells, glass bottles and anchors galore. If this is you, we can totally relate. Based on the name, it makes sense that coastal design incorporates these elements, however these elements are actually more typical of nautical décor. Coastal is decidedly less kitschy than nautical design. In its simplest definition, coastal design is beachy. Soft tones, a clean aesthetic and tons of natural light prevail, read on as we dig a little deeper into coastal design and its core principles.

Whether it’s lunch, landscapes or locations, the question everyone is constantly asking – is it Instagrammable? Instagram has long developed from the vocational app that people used to connect with their friends, through the medium of picture. Today we see over 1 billion people using the app monthly, so we decided to help you achieve your personal and business goals with our most Instagrammable locations.

You may have come across the term ‘shoot location’ before; perhaps seeing it written, or used in conversation, without being sure what it really means. Well, we are here to explain what it is, and more importantly, what separates the good from the bad!

Following on from the impressive end to 2020, the start of this year has been no different when it comes to taking on new properties. We have been incredibly lucky over this past month taking on some incredible new residential properties, bringing a fan favourite back to your screens and seeing the takeover and revamp …

Following on from November, in the same vein as the rest of this eventful year we have been privileged enough to take on another wealth of remarkable shoot locations. This month we have registered locations ranging from large, studio spaces and striking family homes to grand manor houses and unique penthouse apartments.

With summer slowly leaving us for yet another year, the last couple of weeks of sunshine have left us dreaming of a few more weeks of sun before the long winter inevitably takes hold. Because of this, it got us looking back at our properties that feature swimming pools, hoping for one last day to be able to use them. So while its still relatively hot lets check out our top 5

When you think of London, what springs to mind? Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament? The East End and Pie and Mash? At the end of the day, however many things may come to your mind, one thing that should never be missed off your list is London’s iconic skyline. One of the most …

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 …

Discover 1st Options beachfront locations, now we just need the warmer weather!

Many of the location owners that we represent have been lucky enough to experience the thrill of seeing their own home on the big (or small) screen over the years. Most recently, our beautiful property ‘Crystal’ was hired to feature in one of the most popular ITV dramas of the moment, Marcella.

be sure to check out the fab crime drama Marcella, shot at our shoot location The Grove

Featuring the Isme Christmas TV Ad at our lovely shoot location Hampton Lodge

We always look forward to the QVC Christmas vid, and this one’s another cracker!

The return of retro is upon us; following years of ‘greige’ and ‘fast fashion’ design trends leading the race, ‘retro’ is currently having a massive revival. Offering a great alternative to the fast homeware trend, people are now appreciating original, retro and vintage pieces for their classic design and durability. Stick with us as we deep dive into the trend, its origins, key characteristics, why it’s currently so popular and how to get it right in your own home.  

We’re back with our monthly instalment, looking at our top five new locations to have registered with us over the last month. August was another cracking month, taking on a gorgeous array of differing family homes across the capital. If you’re after sleek or eclectic, colourful or contemporary, we have you covered this month. Read on for more…

It’s that time of the month again! When we give you our monthly round up of the best locations to register with us over the last month. This month, we decided to opt for five family homes that differ greatly from one to the next. Make sure you read on to check out the locations, ranging from grand designs style homes, to vast renovated period properties; as always, we have all bases covered for you here.  

Our second edition of the classic spot the difference comes from Hopton. As always, it’s all a bit of fun, but if you can find all ten differences by the end of April, we’ll give you a half price booking fee on your next shoot!

A new year often brings many changes with it, one change it can’t bring, however, is the amount of incredible new locations that flow through our doors on a monthly basis. Following on from the outstanding end to 2021, we have been incredibly lucky to welcome a multitude of amazing new locations. Check out our top five for February here.

At the start of a new month, we like to rifle through the previous, to cherry-pick the best locations we had register with us for your perusal. October was an incredible month for new locations, with properties ranging from stately homes in Greater London, to classic architect-designed houses in the Surrey Hills. Read on as we break down our top five for October, giving you a wide selection of remarkable properties to shoot at. 

In the first of our new series of videos introducing our latest and favourite new locations, we take a quick look at the rustic and shabby chic Brook Lodge.

Following our last article exploring the best ways to maximise a small space, we are now delivering our top design ideas to utilise larger spaces. While larger spaces have many advantages, including space for more furniture and entertaining, they come with their own set of challenges and issues. So how to make the most of a large space? Read on to get your design cues for large rooms of all shapes and sizes and you’ll be a master designer in no time.

As we pass through the first quarter of the year and ease our way back into normal life, business is also starting to resemble the distant memory of what it looked like, fifteen months ago. As restrictions have eased, we have been lucky enough to take on an incredible array of new locations. This month, we took on properties ranging from quirky little flats, to architect-designed family homes, and all-purpose studios, to eye-catching new builds.

Another month has gone by, and again, what a month it has been for taking on new locations. As we approach the end of March, it is fair to say it has been another stellar month. We have been lucky enough to take on a whole host of impressive locations, ranging from exquisite residential properties, to quirky bars and charming family homes, to a garden you’ll never forget. Check them out here.

In episode five of our series ‘Ask the Location Owner’ we chat with Claudia over video call to learn all about her home ‘Burlotti’

If we look at interior design as a concept that begins with human experience, taking into consideration the emotional, physical and mental needs of people, then it is a human-centred reflection of how we live today. Since today we are taking new approaches to the promotion of health, welfare and sustainable living it is intuitive to see and understand why biophilia has become such an influential and popular trend in interior design.

With the latest announcement, from our Prime Minister Boris Johnson, stating that any gathering of more than 6 people will be reprimanded and is illegal by law, it’s going to remain difficult for us to do our favourite activities and pastimes for the foreseeable future. One such activity that millions of people used to do on a regular basis across the world was visit the cinema with friends to see the latest blockbuster. So with all that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some of the most incredible and lavish home cinemas that we currently have on our books.

Styled, lifestyle led studios or empty, blank canvas studios? Which style should you choose for your next shoot? While they both have their pros and cons, the key is to know what you’re looking to achieve in your final shots.

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 …

Run down spaces turned into awesome shoot locations. Here’s our guide to some of the best available rundown shoot locations

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…

2015, the year that was…

Henry Holland takes time out at our location Deerhurst Road to share his thoughts on the fashion industry