by James Balston | Jan 7, 2016 | Apartments, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Contemporary, Lighting, London
One of the last design jobs I completed in my former career, was dressing a show flat in a new development. That was over ten years ago, and today a whole industry has grown up around the presentation and marketing of high end property. Some design firms have been set... 
by James Balston | Nov 9, 2015 | Architecture, Contemporary, Designers & Architects, Spas
The Parthenon in Athens is quite possibly the single most influential, and therefore important building, in western civilisation. Without this great Greek original, the buildings of the Roman Empire wouldn’t have been possible, and without that, there would have... 
by James Balston | Oct 6, 2015 | 1960s, Bathrooms, Colour, Contemporary
There was a time, not long ago, when Britain was known around the world for its dodgy plumbing and awful bathrooms, where carpet reigned and showers were exotic. Fortunately that has changed radically over the last 20 years or so, and we now lavish attention and money... 
by James Balston | Aug 10, 2015 | Architecture, Classical, Contemporary, Homes
Many clients are surprised to hear that I prefer it not to be sunny when I’m shooting interiors. But the stronger the sun, the stronger the shadows, making it very difficult to achieve a balanced, well lit and consistent image. While the human eye is quite... 
by James Balston | May 28, 2015 | Apartments, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Contemporary, Decoration, Lighting, London
Let’s face it, this isn’t a choice that most of us will ever make, or perhaps even want to, but if money were no object, which would you choose. Here are two apartments I’ve shot this year; the first is an opulent affair in a mansion block on Mount... 
by James Balston | Apr 30, 2015 | Apartments, Contemporary, Decoration, Design, Designers & Architects, Homes, Hotels
Who can resist a reflection? Whenever I’m shooting an interior, I can’t help but check out the room’s reflection, whether in a mirror or in a highly polished surface. Designers use mirrors to add space and light to a room, so there’s no reason...