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Spring weather certainly needs no introduction; the seemingly invincible sunshine beams down one moment before a cascade of hailstones rattles down in the next. It’s a season of changeability, where the glittering potential of blue skies brings many shoots outdoors, left to the mercy of the uncertain clouds above. The safest choice is certainly an indoor/outdoor location, one that boasts an interior as beautiful as its garden with clever features to help exterior set ups happening without a hitch.
This sprawling silver eco house is nothing short of stunning to behold, its outdoor profile combining clean lines and sweeping curves for a perfectly balanced picture. On bright days, the multiple decked areas give almost a coastal feel beside the sparkling natural pool, and the plant-lined pathways lead gently over to a paved patio space.
Inside, The Elms is a sharply chic composition of throughtful design and natural textures. White walls hold touches of industrial black and contemporary timber, all filled with floods of daylight from the double height windows. With fully retractable glassdoors, the open plan kitchen and dining area feels intrinsically connected to the world outdoors, offering a flexible space that can keep products looking their best whilst bringing the outside in.
The ever-popular Anders House has a wonderful warmth to it, especially when the sun is shining. The open plan kitchen/dining space is incredibly versatile for all kinds of shoots, with beautifully timeless parquet floors and tongue and groove walls. Double Crittall doors spill out onto the courtyard style patio, revealing a charming area peppered with potted plants and olive trees, festoons swaying in the breeze above.
Further into the garden lies a pretty staircase up to a green and growing second layer, where foamy flowers bloom in abundance. Potted topiary and lavender frame two separate outdoor living areas, one at the very top of the garden and the other just around the corner from the dining space. It’s hard to believe this summer paradise islocated in London, and its potential on a shoot day proves everlasting time and time again.
Down in Oxfordshire, Henley House is confidently designed with a modern rustic flair. Inside, a combination of exposed brick, wooden beams and shuttered windows all reference simple country living whilst high end accents elevate each space. The kitchen is of particular note, lit by beautifully directional daylight, its soft palette and tactile textures working wonderfully in camera.
Out through the bi-fold doors lies a wraparound patio, with plenty of space amidst its various potted greenery for furniture and large set ups. As well as a gravel area to the side and a well-kept green lawn, the garden also houses a black-clad outbuilding with decking and outdoor heating. It’s a lovely option for scenes of sunbathing or seasonal dining, protected by a corrugated iron shelter should the need arise.
Despite its seasonal name, Spring Cottage is actually well suited to all-weather shooting. Inside, this blush-toned home is filled with period features and gorgeous props that all guests are welcome to use.
As well as its warm and cocoon-like interior, this location provides a great deal of external scope with multiple quirky outbuildings. The atmospheric ceramic hut offers panelled walls in a deep green, a daylight soaked workbench and a cabinet filled with mysterious relics of creativity. Further still sits a quaint greenhouse, its doorway lined with vibrant florals and its interior laced with veils of leaves.
Instantly recognisable from its tangerine walls, Welsh House is a cruck framed farmhouse in Monmouthshire with a striking Renaissance tower. The interior of this home feels like stepping back in time, with low ceilings, deep original beams and cobbled floors. Pockets of light peek in from recessed stone windows, illuminating the plethora of classic textures and tones.
The impressive gardens stretch out before the house, featuring lush lawns, pristine topiary and even a vegetable garden with greenhouse. The exterior walls of the property are as filled with charm as the interior, their stone surfaces adorned with fluttering leaves and delicate wisteria.
Each of these standout locations offer both indoor and outdoor beauty, and on a scale that makes the challenges of Spring shooting seem to melt away. Versatile spaces with memorable features will always shine, even when storm clouds threaten overhead.
Keep the seasonal inspiration coming with our piece on Blissfully Pink Walls for Spring Shooting.
Join us On Location with Gillian Stevens at Spring Cottage to discover how this location comes to life in-camera.
As each day brings us closer to summer, take a look at our Top Locations for Shooting Outdoor Furniture or our Top 5 Outdoor Swimming Pools.
Try a tasty recipe like Quinoa Burgers with Tahini Sauce or Granola with Poached Rhubarb.
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