We recently sat down with Ed Reeve, the owner of the Iconic Blackwood House, situated in North London. In an incredibly insightful interview, we spoke to Ed about his job as an architectural photographer, his design style, how he built his incredible home and what it’s like to be a shoot location owner. Read on to get the full scoop from part 1 of the interview.

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 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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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 …

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 …

Thinking of renovating your home and maybe making some money as a shoot location? If you’d like to get an idea of what’s involved then read on…

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.

For the longest time, fresh, crisp and muted colour palettes have dominated the interior scape. However, the tides are shifting thanks to trends like maximalism and grandmillennial style. Colour in the home is taking strides away from the child’s bedroom, into the kitchen, living room and the rest of the house. Stay with us as we explore the nuances that go into the implementation of colour and how to get it right in your home.

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. 

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.

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

Decorating a property to the specific needs of your shoot can help transform it into something eye-catching, spectacular and completely unforgettable. Many location owners allow painting and decorating, however, there are some rules that must be adhered to before jumping in hammer and tongs!

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.

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

Jose has been shooting the latest BT Sport ad…

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. 

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

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 …

Continuing on our ‘In Conversation with..’ series is one of our amazing Location Owners Jane Cumberbatch of Palace Road. Jane is not only an Interior Stylist but has multiple books all about interior design, cooking and so much more.

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.

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.

When living in a small house or apartment, decorating can feel like an impossible task. Accommodating everything is where the challenge lies, but is also where the fun is. Whether you live in a studio apartment and want to make the most of the whole space, or you have a tight room within your house, there are tons of design ideas that can make your space feel much larger than it actually is. Check out our top tips for maximising space in your home.

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 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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

Februarys shoot of the month is this month’s edition of British Vogue featuring Kate Moss and Stefano Pilati!

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. 

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.

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!

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

No house is complete without a beautiful bathroom. It is often considered one of the most important rooms when making a home. A bathroom sets the tone for the rest of the house, they come in all shapes, sizes and styles. From uber-modern to cute and traditional, bathrooms are the key to making a house …