Bringing home the bacon
Hiring out homes for filming and photography shoots is a lucrative business. “Attention to period details and traditional décor and furnishings can increase the saleability of a property whilst also bringing home an additional income,” says Becky Munday, Head of Sales at Wooster and Stock, South East London’s leading online estate agent*.
Becky Munday continues: “Properties that have been used for films, television and photo shoots are often popular with home buyers. It adds an element of prestige and it is obviously appealing to think that one’s home can generate some extra revenue. Home owners can earn hundreds of pounds for a day’s shoot.”
Tim Kent has rented out his home to photographers and film crews for a number of years and makes £800 to £1800 per day. His four double bedroom house in Brunswick Villas, Camberwell, has been featured in fashion and accessories catalogues and for Store Twenty One and will be the backdrop for an upcoming ESPN commercial and print campaign.
Tim, an advertising photographer, comments: “I got so much pleasure refurbishing this house and invested much time and research into restoring all the original features from the ornate cornicing and ceiling roses to the light switches, door handles and radiators.
“The main labour of love was reinstating all of the fireplaces that had been removed by previous residents. There are now seven working fireplaces in the house and each was chosen to be correct for the era of the house and size of room. I love open fires, they are just so cosy and are probably one of the house’s strongest features.
Tim adds: “I also spent a lot of time scouring antique shops, reclamation yards and EBay for the perfect furnishings. The jewel in the crown for me is the living room chandelier. I found it at Lascos and although it may seem strange, I have converted it from electricity to candle power. I also devised a pulley system that allows for easy cleaning and maintenance. It’s a beautifully cut Edwardian chandelier and brings a lovely sense of old world opulence to the room.”
Jonathan King, Director of location agency Shootfactory, which represents Brunswick Villas and some of the most desirable film locations internationally, says: “A property’s suitability will depend upon its style, size, layout and décor and of course its geographical location. There is no particular style of property that we look for since our clients are constantly looking to vary their choice of location house.
“In the case of Brunswick Villas, clients are struck by the architectural look and the fact the décor has a very authentic feel. You can imagine Charles Dickens basing a scene from one of his novels in the lounge! The home is also popular as it is so near central London yet there is plenty of on-road parking outside and the property has a garden.”
This tastefully styled property is spread over four comfortable floors, and features gorgeously rich stained floorboards, original shutters, a large double reception, country-style kitchen/diner and four double bedrooms.
Superbly located in the heart of vibrant Camberwell, cafes, bars and restaurants and the serene Brunswick Park are on the doorstep. Popular with commuters, Brunswick Villas is less than a mile’s walk from both Peckham Rye and Denmark Hill stations which have frequent services to London Bridge, Blackfriars and Victoria.** There are also excellent schools in the area making this period dream an ideal family home.
Brunswick Villas is on the market for £635,000 with Wooster & Stock, the leading online estate agent based in South East London. For further information, visit: woosterstock.co.uk
*Source: RatedPeople.com
** Source: Google Maps December 2010
