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The owner of one of London's most 'Instagrammable' homes says he'll constantly keep it painted pink, despite the fact that the colour brings in crowds of presenting influencers.

Peter Lee, 80, states his home in Notting Hill, west London is checked out daily by people using it as a background for their social media pictures.

The great-grandfather has actually taken a different view to a group of unhappy residents residing on Lancaster Road, well known for it's colourful homes, simply over a mile away.

They have painted their houses black in the hopes of warding off selfie-loving influencers - who they state are swarming their domestic street.

The previous style designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen individuals doing the splits in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings.

Others - in some cases worn just a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean against the front door.

He included that lots of influencers will invest entire mornings outside his home - even undergoing outfit changes.

Mr Lee's doorstep has actually likewise drawn in stars from Made In Chelsea and a current photoshoot from a clothing giant he picked not to name.

Peter Lee, 80, is the owner of among London's many 'Instagrammable' homes and states he'll constantly keep it painted pink, although the colour attracts crowds of influencers posing for photos

The former style designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen people doing the divides in front of his steps - and even stabilizing on his railings

Notting Hill has actually become famed for its stunning colourful houses and has become an Instagram hotspot

Despite the continuous visitors, Mr Lee is determined that he won't change his home.

He said: 'I do not truly mind the crowds. I have cameras so it does amuse me to simply enjoy their antics.

'Recently I looked outdoors and there was someone having their image taken - with three others queueing for their turn.

'Another time a business appeared to be having an entire photoshoot. They had a little outfit change camping tent and whatever. They in fact left a bunch of brand name new clothing here - tags and all. I put up an indication, saying to knock on my door to gather them.

'But when a few weeks passed and no one came to get them, I gave them to my granddaughter.

'It's busiest when it's warm. In early May, when we had all that excellent weather, there were loads of people.

'I understand it troubles others however it doesn't actually bother me. I just think, 'Live and let live'. Life's too brief.'

But one circumstances of an over-confident tourist saw him acquire an expense worth thousands of pounds.

He stated: 'I've had the tiles damaged from women in high heels leaping on the steps.

'That's a bit annoying - as I had to pay to have them fixed. But that's been my only problem actually.'

They declare influencers stand best outside their doors to get the ideal shot with some even going through multiple outfit modifications

But he insisted he would never wander off from the iconic colour: 'It was pink when I relocated back in 1978 so it belongs to the house. I'm not altering it. It will constantly be pink.'

Meanwhile, some Notting Hill residents have actually grown fed up of the photoshoots occurring in front of their well-known vibrant homes and have painted them black in a quote to stop the 'rude' travelers.

Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are continuously swamped with individuals taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties.

They declare influencers stand best outside their doors to get the perfect shot.

It's declared that brazen tourists will also take pleasure in lunch break picnics on their doorsteps and frequently peer through their windows 'forgetting that people really live there'.

A cyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was recently spotted shouting, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are regular houses.'

Two houses on the roadway have actually now ditched their previous intense exterior - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will therefore stop individuals coming there.

Previously, a purple and pink home sat either side of an already-black home now they have actually joined forces with their neighbour.

A 'peaceful zone' indication has actually also been put up - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has even strung a rope throughout their front steps.

Fed up Notting Hill have ditched their previous bright outside - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will therefore stop people coming there. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

Pictured: How your homes on Lancaster Road searched in 2022

Mike, who resides in a blue-green flat, informed Metro the noise from tourists has actually got so bad that he has actually had to move his meditation classes to the back of his house.

He stated: 'What is more annoying than anything else is simply noise. Tourists work at a various volume level. There will be a group of 70 plus. It sounds like a football match.'

Fed-up Notting Hill citizens paint their colourful terraced homes black to get rid of influencers

One resident, who did not wish to be called, stated: 'Our home was really originally black and the others weren't.

'But the other two chose to join us a couple months ago as we all concur that black homes don't look good on social networks.

'I understand why people take photos - because of how it looks - however it simply gets so packed.

'We can have numerous individuals on the street at the same time and it's a domestic road - we're unable to deal with travelers.

'I believe people simply forget that people live here. So the hope with painting your homes black is that travelers will relax a bit. It's been working a little bit up until now, to be fair.'

The homeowner said he didn't anticipate the staying houses on the street to also ditch their colourful paint however said it may be needed if the problem continues.

Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are constantly swamped with people taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties

Tourists taking photographs on Lancaster road where Notting Hill locals paint popular colourful houses black in quote to postpone influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'

Notting Hill locals have paint their vibrant homes black. Pictured: Lancaster road in 2025

A homeowner in the 3rd black home did not desire to talk today explaining that the point of the colour modification had been to 'get rid of the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

He said: 'We undoubtedly desire our neighbours to do whatever they want, however if this doesn't work, and all of us need to go one colour to get it to stop, then ideally as a street we can collaborate and do that.'

Another homeowner, who also wished to be confidential, said: 'My household relocated about a month ago and the previous owner painted it black prior to due to the fact that they were fed-up with the number of people stop out front.

'It gets insane. People get on the actions and take loads of photos. On the weekends, there can be numerous people.

'It's not Londoners, it's mainly travelers. But it just gets stressful. I understand my parents hate it.

'The hope with the black homes is that it's less picturesque. They essentially wish to bring in less attention.'

A citizen in the 3rd black home did not wish to talk today discussing that the point of the colour change had been to 'eliminate the attention' and 'not draw more people here'.

Two tourists who were on Lancaster Road today were Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were going to London from Australia.

They stated the decision to paint the homes black was 'a downer'.

Two tourists Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were checking out London from Australia, said the decision to paint your homes black was 'a downer'

Residents are now campaigning to attempt and get other vibrant residential or commercial properties on the street to do the same

A letter flowed amongst property owners urges them to 'consider' repainting to prevent travelers and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

They stated: 'I suggest people are drawn here due to the fact that of the street being iconic and vibrant, best?

'It's a traveler area and definitely tourist benefits the local economy. It's a little a downer to paint the homes black. We're not fans of that.

'But to be honest, it probably will not work. If the rest are still vibrant, individuals will come here - and if they all paint their homes black, it will end up being: 'Let's go see the street of all black houses'.

'It hasn't stopped us.'

Residents are now campaigning to try and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to follow fit.

A letter flowed amongst property owners urges them to 'consider' repainting to dissuade tourists and influencers.

Titled 'Addressing traveler influence on our street', it checks out: 'As much of you have actually discovered, our section of the street has actually ended up being a significantly popular spot for social networks travelers, drawn by the vibrant colours of our homes.

'While it's excellent to see gratitude for our street, the consistent crowds, sound, litter and lack of personal privacy brought on by individuals sitting on our stairs are beginning to take a toll on our lives.'

The letter goes on to declare that 'disruptive tourism' has actually meant citizens have actually dealt with 'rental difficulties' - and 'estate agents have confirmed it is adversely affecting the rate of our residential or commercial properties'.

A 'peaceful zone' sign has likewise been put up - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has actually even strung a rope across their front steps

It continues: 'As a possible service, 3 homes, nos [redacted] have decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to help in reducing the visual pull for tourists.

'If more of us consider jointly doing the exact same, we may have the ability to bring back some peace and personal privacy to our community.'

Meanwhile, other property owners explained that they had formerly painted their homes more neutral colours, also in the hope of ending up being less appealing to travelers and influencers.

George Hencken, who has actually resided in Notting Hill for 29 years, stated: 'Our home utilized to be pink but we painted it grey around seven years back.

'The point was to be an unphotogenic colour.

'But the important things is, and something those who have actually painted their homes black will quickly discover out, is that even if people aren't utilizing their home as an image backdrop - they'll still be here.

'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their doorway, sheltering outside when it's drizzling, and even altering clothing on their front steps.

'And Instagram and TikTok are having this impact all over the world. I know that there's a coffee shop in Japan, with a of Mount Fuji, which has actually had to close since of it.

'And for many years I have actually just had one traveler say to me, 'You need to get so fed up with it'.

'With lots of the others - there's simply this sense of conceit and privilege.'

Ms Hencken described that what frustrated her most was that none of the tourists or influencers seemed to have any idea of Notting Hill's history.

Homeowners have actually found the most reliable thing is placing a rope in front of his actions. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

Lancaster Road located just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London

She said: 'This location used to be a proud rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are pricey houses, but this street likewise has a lot of social housing.

'They don't understand the history.

'Since Richard Curtis made that silly film every American banker or rich guy from Switzerland who invests a couple of months here, when asked where they desire to live, states: 'Oh, my wife likes that movie'.

'It's changing the area. Our doorsteps used to be social places. We 'd remain here and chat to good friends and neighbours.

'But now you can't do that. If you do, any random person believes they can come and sit here too.'

Another local, whose home is beige, likewise thought the colour would ward individuals off however discovered the most reliable thing is placing a rope in front of his steps.

He said: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as a few of the more vibrant ones - however the most effective thing is these straps we have now.

'I understand the green house has actually seen a substantial drop since putting theirs there.

'Because it does get outrageous. Before, we had individuals positioning on our steps - which obviously set my pet off.

'They 'd even have picnics there. It's just rude.

'With Instagrammers, it's always the very same sort of individuals. You can spot them. Lots of Italians - which I can since I'm Italian.

'When it comes to the travelers, I mean, it's individuals are coming here for quite images rather of going someplace of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'

LondonMade In Chelsea
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