Top five for October

It’s that time of the month again; the time where we like to make your lives a whole lot easier. 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. 

Bella 

First on our list this month is Bella, a spectacular stately home inspired property, built in 1887 and located in Greater London – not often seen for this style of build. This exceptional shoot location features an extraordinary blend of opulent, eccentric, classic and contemporary design, leaving you with one of the most versatile shoot locations you’re ever likely to see. This is epitomised by the standout areas found all across the location. Take a look at the kitchen/ dining area, partitioned by a striking crittal divider – here you will find a whole host of opulent furniture, a marble kitchen island and period pieces, including cornices and ceiling roses. Other notable touches in this astonishing house include a sweeping marble staircase (set over four floors) leading to the modern spa area, fitted with an indoor and outdoor pool; both of which are divided by a super-cool ‘James Bond’ style lifting glass door. To top off this prodigious property, there is also a gym, a basement bar, a library and two walk-in wardrobes. Due to its host of amenities and size, Bella is ideal for small and large-scale filming as well as photographic stills. 

Tulum

Leaving London briefly, we take a short trip to one of the home counties for our next find. Check out Tulum in Hampshire, a fabulous Victorian property showcasing a stark ‘colonial’ exterior, thanks to its square form and original blue shutters found on every window. The property itself is a superb shoot location due to its interesting, eclectic and colourful interior design. Full of period features, this striking shoot location showcases high ceilings, original cornicing, sash windows and a blend of tiled and wooden flooring throughout. A standout asset of Tulum is that it offers a rare opportunity to obtain many different styles of shot under one roof; some of the rooms have bright and colourful wallpaper, while others are calm and full of plants. Conversely, some rooms combine hits of bright colour, juxtaposing interesting art and antiques. The kitchen space is especially noteworthy, with bi-fold doors, wooden floorboards and an open-plan aesthetic, making it ideal for filming and photoshoots. 

Hillside 

Next up is Hillside, a spectacular arts and crafts house designed by the acclaimed architect and father of arts and crafts architecture, Philip Webb. Situated high up in the Surrey Hills – an area of outstanding beauty – Hillside offers magnificent views of the surrounding land, all the way to the coast. This property boasts a simple interior, with a mix of traditional and contemporary design, including a whole host of striking elements. Check out the circular brick loft hatch, the glass floor between the hall and the first floor, the blend of oak and parquet flooring, the exposed brick and the wooden beams found throughout. To further add to the magnitude of the location, the majority of the space is open plan and there is a games room, as well as a luxurious freestanding copper bath found in one of the bedrooms. Due to the uninterrupted landscape, as well as the size of the grounds and the location itself, Hillside is ideal for small and large scale filming as well as photoshoots.

Dundonald 

We bring you back to London for our fourth choice this month – welcome to Dundonald, a memorable five bedroom family home set over three floors in North West London. The property itself is over 100 years old and offers a whole host of period features, including an original stained-glass front door, bay windows, high ceilings with ornate detailing, original fireplaces, cornicing and original wooden floorboards. The standout detail of Dundonald, however, is its unique back-to-front layout. Conversely to most interior designs, Dundonald showcases the reception room at the rear of the property, with the kitchen/ dining room taking centre stage at the front, as you walk in. The colour palette blends a darker, more arresting aesthetic downstairs with lighter hues on the second and third floors. Venture outside through the magnificent garden to find the striking summer house, equipped with a hammock and chill-out space. Thanks to the open-plan nature of the interior and the large rear garden, we would advise stills and small-scale filming at Dundonald. 

Turney 

If you were to imagine a beautiful family home located in South West London, our final location, Turney, would probably be the image that comes to mind. The traditional double-fronted period property has been adorned with a sumptuous rear extension, housing the gorgeous kitchen/ dining room. Natural light immerses the space, bringing the ceiling beams and exposed brick right to the fore. The kitchen also has a unique marble countertop and backsplash, which is illuminated by the vast skylight above. The two other living areas in the original house both offer period touches including cornicing, bay windows and original fireplaces, however, the lounge area on the ground floor juxtaposes the rest of the property with its dark painted walls. If you are looking for an eye-catching family home, full of premium qualities, Turney could be ideal for you. With its bright and spacious, open-plan kitchen, we believe Turney would be ideal for any kitchen shoots that come your way.