We speak to the owner of our shoot location ‘Radnor’ on her experience hosting her first shoots and working with Fresh Locations…

‘Radnor’, a beautifully restored Grade II listed Georgian house overlooking the River Thames, has quickly become a sought-after choice for hosting location shoots. As part of the Fresh Locations portfolio, it offers a striking blend of historic elegance and modern versatility. With its hexagonal rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and award-winning garden design, it offers a unique and versatile setting for shoots. Recently, we spoke to the homeowner, Suzanne, about her journey in transforming this historic property, her experience hosting shoots, and what it’s like to see her home come alive on camera…

What appealed to you about hosting location shoots at your property?

We were very enthusiastic that the house would be full of a lot of different creative people, and we might catch a glimpse of the processes they go through when taking stills or shooting film. The thought that offering our home as a location might help us in the upkeep of our newly refurbished Grade II listed home appealed to me. We felt the house would offer many opportunities as a shoot location: location, size, parking availability, space for catering, rooms for meetings or storage, and only my husband and I living there—easy.

Is there a story behind how you created your home?

We lived in the same postcode along the Thames in a modern house. We love being on the water, and when the weather is good, I kayak with our dog as often as I can. During lockdown, I kayaked much more than usual, and I had the time to really look and contemplate. I passed this most beautiful Georgian house a little further along the river. One day, a lady came out of the house to do the bins as I was passing to walk in the park. I said she had the most beautiful house, and she said it was soon to be on the market. What luck—it was meant to be! The journey from purchase through to the final house involved converting flats into one residence and took two and a half years. We had a great team; specifically, our architect Michael Jones Architect and DHD Builders drove the process of working with a Grade II listed building.

What has influenced the style of ‘Radnor’?

I spent a lot of time looking through magazines and walking around antique and interior shops. The biggest single influence was the work of Rose Uniacke—how she allows the beauty of the building to lead the elegance and then places carefully thought-through furnishings. We have some of her lights.

Some rooms started with an item of furniture or a rug that then drove the colour scheme, or, as with the hall, the colour was the really important element. The yellow is inviting and cheerful but had to be of the period and elegant—that took a lot of paint samples. The kitchen was the most work of any room. I worked with deVol to make an elegant, functional space that didn’t try too hard.

The garden is so pleasing, beautiful even in the winter. The right team worked on it again—Marcus Barnett and RAA, two Chelsea award-winning companies. The inspiration was the water at the end of the garden: grasses, movement, structure, and, as you move towards the house, it takes on a slightly more manicured turn.

Do you have any favourite design elements in your home?

The chandeliers are awesome when reflecting light or sunlight. The Georgian architraves, window frames, and shutters are so beautiful, and I feel that every time I open or close them.

You recently hosted a shoot for Budd Shirtmakers and Butternut Box through Fresh Locations. What has your experience been like hosting your first shoots?

We were very happy with the first jobs, which were very different types of shoots. My main concern was how the property would be treated by large crews who had a job to do in a short space of time. Would they care about my paintwork and white sofas? Fresh Locations assured us that they only worked with teams they knew would be respectful, and they were! The house had almost 40 people in with cameras and lighting, and when they left, the house was perfectly back to normal.

What advice would you give to another homeowner considering listing their property as a shoot location?

We would suggest they ask Fresh Locations in detail about all their concerns, we found that made us very comfortable.

How do you prepare your home for a film or photo shoot?

We removed all expensive personal items and art, which removed the stress, especially if they weren’t needed in the shoot. If it’s a big shoot, you might not get access to all your cupboards or rooms, so make sure to plan ahead.

Have you learned anything new about your home through hosting shoots?

Lending your house out for me has reminded me of just how lovely a home it is. The crews are so nice and complimentary, I am reminded how lucky we are.

With its unique architecture and elegant interiors, ‘Radnor’ is an exceptional choice for hosting location shoots. Whether for film, photography, or commercials, its carefully curated spaces provide one of the most inspiring shoot locations in London.

Has Suzanne inspired you to hire out your home? List your property as a film location with us today and our experienced team will guide you through the process of joining our location library.