Appeal of TV apartment is so easy to deduce
FOR many homeowners it would be exciting enough to have four top actors, including two Hollywood movie stars, using your two-bedroom flat to film scenes for one of the most popular TV shows in the world.
But imagine having a clean-up after the crew and cast had gone and finding some items left behind under your bed.
Verity Scott is the owner of a flat in Grangetown, Cardiff, that was used as a location for filming scenes for the BBC drama Sherlock.
The quirky abode was used as the home for the character Kitty Riley, played by Katherine Parkinson, a journalist hounding Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and Dr John Watson, played by Martin Freeman.
The home on the distinctive curved suburban Brook Street appeared in scenes in series two, in episode three called The Reichenbach Fall.
At the time of filming, Verity, a film and television set decorator, was working on location, so missed all the drama.
Although the production cleared up thoroughly during the three-day stay, Verity discovered the filming day’s call sheet, Benedict’s water bottle, Martin’s water bottle and a mug with Martin’s name on it under the bed.
Verity says: “It was a strange experience not being around while they were filming, but as I work in the set decorating department on big TV dramas, it probably would have been like a normal day at work for me but without the stress.
“My neighbour in the building is Richard Mylan, the actor from Coupling, and he was originally approached by the locations department on Sherlock with the view to using his flat.
“But they were looking for something a bit more feminine so he suggested my flat, especially as I was away filming another series for the BBC at the time. So he literally organised it all.”
Verity’s only stipulation to the production company using her flat was that it was to be put back exactly how it looked originally.
She says: “Interestingly, they used all of my furnishings and most of the artwork on the walls, as most of it is by my artist friends in Wales and my family, who are all professional artists.”
Richard Mylan’s flat next door was used as the director’s video village and the green room for the cast.
Verity says: “Most people think it’s very cool that they filmed in the flat, but my colleagues in the industry thought I was mad letting a film crew in there at the time. Actually, for someone who works in the industry, I was very laidback about it initially but when it was broadcast I was very excited.”
You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that this Cardiff flat is truly unique. Verity describes her flat as “lovely layers of quirkiness” and once you enter you can see why this is an accurate description; the home is not so much three-stories of accommodation, more like three split-levels.
Verity will be sad to leave her Cardiff flat but she feels it is time to move on to somewhere bigger and take her creative interior design style with her, but she will definitely miss all the special spaces in her current home.
She says: “I love my basement room as it’s a snug, I can hide away from the world in my underground lair, but my favourite room is by far the living room as I have a high ceiling and a chandelier.
“The open fire is wonderful in the winter and I never get bored of all of the artwork on the walls and telling people all the stories behind them, as any new visitors always ask about them. I have supplemented wallpaper for paintings.
“I’m also very fond of my little garden with Moroccan tiles which I have only recently renovated. I hope someone loves the flat as much as I do, it’s great for a single person or a couple.”
The Sherlock flat is on the market for a guide price of £140,000-£150,000 with estate agent moving-you.co.uk. Call them on 0775 663 5793 to find out more.