Amelia de Jong Amelia de Jong

Boutique wedding accommodation photography

The Polo Room. The vibrant green tongue and groove boards behind the bed are a real feature to this room and were part of the original stables. Reference to polo has also been reflected in the decor.

I was recently invited to the wonderful wedding venue Blackwell Grange near Shipston on Stour to photograph their 1604 project. Ten beautiful ensuite bedrooms designed to compliment the existing style of Blackwell Grange with a nod to the history in each of the renovated buildings. In this article I showcase two of the cleverly designed bedrooms in the Stables.

The Stables houses two ground floor bedrooms which are both renovated to reflect a stable theme. I love how both rooms have encompassed wood and/or natural stone into the decor with an injection of vibrant colour on the walls or through accessories. The use of original materials pertaining to the former stable buildings works especially well. The Polo and Hennessy rooms offer fun, nostalgic and luxurious accommodation for guests at Blackwell Grange.

The striking green boards in the Polo room have been repurposed from the original stables and deliver character and a focal point to this ensuite bedroom. The choice of lighting reminds me of straw whilst Polo and riding gear hanging from the walls keeps the theme flowing.

The Hennessy Room is vibrant and fun. It is a blend of old and new with contemporary finishes. The ensuite bathroom has a traditional feel which adds an added sense of luxury and calm.

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Amelia de Jong Amelia de Jong

The Great British Staycation - Luxury Holiday Property Photography

Quality professional interiors and property photography will sell your property to holidaymakers. The first impression that your guests have of your property comes from the marketing photos so it is important to invest some time preparing your property and choose the right photographer to get this right. This article provides a few tips on how you can ensure that your photographer will shoot your property at its best.

Before the shoot, preparation is key:

Inside:

  1. Ensure your property has a thorough clean and clear up. Vacuum the carpets and sofas to remove unwanted pet hairs and fluff; mop any hard floors and clean shiny surfaces, mirrors and windows (try to avoid smears)

  2. Remove as many personal objects as possible especially personal mail and photographs. This prevents personal information going into the public domain on your photographs and also removes distractions from neutral spaces. Holiday makers want to envisage themselves in the space not someone else’s home.

  3. Remove as much clutter as possible and pick up everything on the floors, sofas and beds that are not meant to be there. In the kitchen, clear the countertops just leaving a few essential appliances. In the bedrooms and family areas, tidy away all of the children’s toys. It could be as simple as using a bin bag to temporarily collect all of the children’s cuddly toys out of the way. Where there is freestanding furniture, make sure that anything hidden underneath is properly tucked away out of camera view. If in doubt, remove the items. In the Bedroom, make the beds and remove all personal items from bedsides. In the Bathroom, remove everything from the sinks and countertops and hide them. The bathroom especially needs to look clean and hygenic.

  4. Try and hide cables and wires.

  5. Stage your property to look presentable and homely. Have lots of flowers on display and fresh fruit. Put a centrepiece on the table - a plant or candles often work well, perhaps some home magazines. If you have a fireplace, images will look much better if this is free of ash on the hearth and the fire is lit. Have your fire prepared and ready to light and your photographer should light the fire just before they photograph the room.

Outside:

  1. A beautiful garden that is well maintained will really help to entice a holiday maker. Do some gardening. Freshly mown lawn, trimmed shrubs and the removal of large weeds make a huge difference on how a property is perceived.

  2. Hide the bins and tidy up where needed.

On the day of the shoot, help create a relaxed mood or holiday vibe:

  1. Have fresh flowers, potted plants or fruit available to lift your spaces.

  2. Lay the table in the dining areas.

  3. Have coffee/tea available with biscuits/cakes and magazines/newspapers/books to help the photographer to stage the room

  4. Dress up your outside space with cushions, candles, throws and parasols.

  5. Remove all cars from the driveways or places where they will be blocking the exterior of the house.

  6. Keep your pets away

At ACE In Your Space Photography, Amelia will chat with you ahead of the shoot to ensure that you have all you need to present your property at its best. This may include advice on extra cushions, throws or lamps that can be acquired ahead of the shoot to enhance your property. On the day of the shoot, your photographer will work through each room to capture your holiday property in the best light. At Ace In Your Space Photography this will include a selection of wide angle room shots, detailed shots and lifestyle shots that combined will sell the unique character of your holiday property.

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Amelia de Jong Amelia de Jong

Interiors Photography for a luxury holiday retreat in the Cotswolds

It was a joy to be commissioned for a property shoot to photograph the stunning Cotswold Retreat cottage near Shipston-on-Stour in the Cotswolds (it is available to rent on Air BnB). Scroll below for some wide angle interior shots and lifestyle detail photographs of the dining area, sitting room and kitchen.

Nestled on top of a hill overlooking Brailes Hill, this beautifully appointed two bedroom cottage has been superbly renovated for your luxurious holiday stay in the Cotswolds. The interior photographs of the cottage were a dream to shoot, especially the superb afternoon tea which enhanced the holiday vibe in this holiday property photo shoot. Holidaymakers have plenty of options on their doorstep where they can pop out for a delicious bite to eat at the Cotswolds Distillery , Whichford Pottery (head to the scrumptious Straw Kitchen), Feldon Valley, Daylesford and Soho Farmhouse . The typical Cotswold towns of Shipston-on-Stour, Moreton-in-Marsh, Stow and Chipping Norton are all a short drive away too.

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Amelia de Jong Amelia de Jong

Interior Photography for a Boutique Hotel in the Cotswolds

I recently had the pleasure of photographing the beautiful interior designed bedrooms at The George Inn in Barford St Michael, Oxfordshire.   The George Inn is a most enchanting boutique hotel which offers a home away from home combining Cotswold charm with contemporary twists. 

The interior photographs of the bedrooms were a delight to shoot.  The owner Laura loves “antiques and warmth”.  She “loves to mix old and new with a feeling like home”.  Laura highly recommends Pink Elephant Interiors who designed the beautiful curtains and roman blinds and brings the cosy look together.

In the bedrooms themselves it is the little touches that make this place special.  Home made chocolate truffles are left by your bedside.  Make yourself a real coffee with the individual Nespresso coffee machines.  Sink into a cast iron bath with 100 Acre toiletries which brings the outside in.  Fall asleep in the most sumptuous beds and when you wake up in the morning, there is a breakfast to die for.

Located on the edge of the Cotswolds, this beautifully restored 16th Century thatched inn offers visitors a very warm welcome, fine food and luxurious accommodation.  With the UK finally opening up again tomorrow, and individual garden rooms available, make sure you book in for a memorable Cotswolds break at this wonderful gastro pub.

Interior photography of Cotswolds bedroom in the boutique Cotswolds pub, the George Inn, Barfords

Interior photography of Cotswolds bedroom in the boutique Cotswolds pub, the George Inn, Barfords

Interior photography of interior designed bedrooms at the George Inn, Barfords

Interior photography of interior designed bedrooms at the George Inn, Barfords

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