Oasis, a brit pop band by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher. The band shot to popularity in the 90’s with their hit song ‘Wonderwall’ which, fun fact, was actually the first 1990’s tune to hit one billion streams on Spotify. Oasis’ sour split lasted for 14 years but to the amazement of fans, the brothers announced a 2025 reunion tour! In celebration of their reunion, we want to showcase some of our Wonder-Walls in our fabulous shoot locations.

Taylor Swift is taking the world by storm, especially in the UK, where her recent sold-out stadium tour celebrates her musical ‘eras.’ To join the excitement, we’re pairing some of our favourite Taylor Swift albums with various locations in our listings.

The Unexpected Red Theory suggests adding red accents to unexpected spaces for a transformative effect. From vibrant curtains to bold furniture pieces, red breathes new life into interiors, elevating them beyond the ordinary.

If you’ve been keeping up with us on social media, you’ll have noticed our regular feature on remarkable talent, particularly interior stylists and photographers. It’s been a while since we delved into an article spotlighting our favourite interior stylists, so we’re back with Part 2 of Interior Stylists We Love for your enjoyment.

From arched windows to alcoves, bookshelves to custom kitchen cabinetry, arches in design have surged in popularity over recent years. Today, we’re taking you on a tour of some fabulous locations that showcase the diverse uses of arches in interior design.

This week we’re talking Quiet Luxury in interior design. Explore some of the luxurious homes we represent that embody this aesthetic.

Welcome back to the 1st Option blog! In this post, we take you through a brief history of live/work spaces, the live/work shoot locations we have on our books, and some modern examples of how this concept has translated to forming larger communities.

7 Chair Classics You Should Know. A history & guide to seven classic chairs, many of which are featured across our unique London photoshoot and filming locations.

In this edition, we’re diving into the prominent interior design trend of plaster walls. We’ll discuss the different options for those considering incorporating this chic element into their space, including both raw plaster and plaster paint methods.

Welcome back to our blog as we delve into Part 2 of photographers we love! This next batch of interiors, lifestyle and still life specialists are coming in with even more inspiration for your personal projects and creative mind.

Following our piece on interior stylists, we must acknowledge the people who skilfully capture the curated beauty – the photographers. Whether you’re passionate about interior design or simply have a craving for some good photographic work, we highly encourage you to check out each artist’s portfolio for that inspiration you’re secretly craving.

Summer is finally upon us! So we thought what better a time to shine some light on some of our current favourite designers and stylists, encouraging you to go and check out their unique portfolios to get that fresh inspiration for your personal spaces, or simply for the ol’ memory bank!

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.

With the cost of living crisis firmly taking hold and many people looking to economise as a result, it seems that more and more of us are thinking outside the box when it comes to entertainment and creating our own ‘pub’ experiences at home. On many levels this actually makes sense – when we go out it’s usually to socialise with our friends, so why not invite them round instead and enjoy their company for a fraction of the cost of a big night out?

In recent years it’s become more and more recognised that being surrounded by plants in your living and working environments can have real health benefits, two of the main ones being improved psychological well-being and improved human health.

It’s widely thought that bringing more plants into your life can help to improve your mood, reduce stress levels and improve your productivity. There is also some evidence that they can improve air quality too.

With the onslaught of Spring it’s also got us thinking about pastel shades, who makes the best ones and where we might like to paint them… So, we did a straw poll with everyone here and asked them to pick their favourites and tell us why they like them!

Our favourite locations taken on so far this year

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.

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 Celine, with the fabulous owner Celine Da Silva, looking at the design elements within her home, why it’s been styled in such a way and any challenges she faced during the 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.

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 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. 

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.

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. 

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

n our sixth edition of the classic spot the difference, we bring you Tulum. 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 in September! Top tip – most of them are pretty obvious…

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…

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.

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. 

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.

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.  

The past two years have undoubtedly seen home decor Instagram accounts boom like never before. Lockdown had the world evaluating every inch of their homes; and where do you find inspiration in the 21st century? Instagram! Home decor accounts on Instagram are having their moment and for good reason – there are tens of thousands of accounts showcasing every style imaginable, all under the setting of someone’s real home. Not only do these accounts show how they style certain pieces, but many of them give you tips and tricks, ranging from how to style on a budget, to how to style in limited space and so much more. So check out our top 9 accounts to follow this year.

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.

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!

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. 

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.

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.

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.

Giving your home an update or refresh can be a daunting thought, let alone task, especially when you have a limited budget and even less time. However, breathing new life into your home doesn’t have to break the bank if you’re smart and savvy with your ideas. Luckily for you, we’ve done the research and have thought of 15 brilliant home decor ideas that don’t cost the earth to implement, so make sure you read on and check out our 15 design ideas to spruce up your space. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

As we start to welcome friends and family back into our lives. Now is the perfect time to get that needed garden inspiration, in anticipation of the glorious summer parties we will all be having. Read on to check out twelve much needed design ideas, to get your garden ready for summer.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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 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 […]

At some point in your life you will have come across Bohemian design whether you know it or not. Often referred to as Boho, the style is light and bright featuring many patterns and layers that will leave a lasting impression that you can’t forget. The word itself refers to someone who is typically socially […]

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 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 […]

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.

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.

Grandmillennial or ‘Granny Chic’ style may be a new concept to many above the age of 40, however, thanks to the ever cyclical nature of trends plus Instagram’s ability to show you the same monotonous things over and over again, many millennials in their 20’s and early 30’s have dipped into their grandparents living rooms for inspiration and created a new interior design style that has taken the world by storm, Grandmillennial style.

Typified by its use of muted colour palettes, wooden floors and furnishings, minimalism and a clutter free aesthetic, Scandinavian design has been at the forefront of interior design for many years now. While the style came to worldwide prominence in the 1950’s and then again in the 90’s, its causation goes a long way back and is steeped in history.

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.

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 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

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 […]

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.

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. 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.

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.

With the ushering of a new decade well and truly behind us, we find ourselves pondering what will come next? As everyone knows, eventually all good things come to an end and are replaced by new ideas, concepts and designs. This is translatable to all aspects of society and none more so than in the […]

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 […]

We got to catch up with one of our amazing location owners Elisabeth who owns Spratts Factory. Spratts Factory was once a dog treat factory and was a huge design project for Elisabeth. The results are simply fantastic! Find out more below! What was your design inspiration for Spratts Factory? We pulled inspiration from many different places […]

As quickly as summer came around this year, it was gone. However, following summers fleeting appearance in 2019 it has brought winter to our doorstep a lot quicker than we would have first thought. Although winter has its downsides with copious amounts of people longing for the sun to show its head again, what it […]

After a week which has felt like we may as well have been in the Maldives, we have started looking at some new interior trends to heat up our homes and get us in the mood for a (hopefully) hot spring…