Notting Hill's Top Selfie Spot is my home - i will not Paint It Black
The owner of among London's the majority of 'Instagrammable' homes states he'll always keep it painted pink, despite the fact that the colour brings in crowds of presenting influencers.
Peter Lee, 80, says his home in Notting Hill, west London is checked out daily by individuals utilizing it as a background for their social networks pictures.
The great-grandfather has actually taken a different view to a group of unhappy residents living on Lancaster Road, famed for it's colourful homes, simply over a mile away.
They have actually painted their homes black in the hopes of warding off selfie-loving influencers - who they state are swarming their domestic street.
The previous style designer, who has resided in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen people doing the splits in front of his steps - and even stabilizing on his railings.
Others - often worn just a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean versus the front door.
He added that numerous influencers will invest whole early mornings outside his home - even going through outfit changes.
Mr Lee's doorstep has likewise drawn in stars from Made In Chelsea and a recent photoshoot from a clothes giant he chose not to name.
Peter Lee, 80, is the owner of among London's the majority of 'Instagrammable' homes and states he'll always keep it painted pink, although the colour draws in hordes of influencers positioning for photos
The former fashion designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, said he's seen people doing the divides in front of his steps - and even stabilizing on his railings
Notting Hill has actually become renowned for its attractive vibrant houses and has become an Instagram hotspot
Despite the continuous visitors, Mr Lee is determined that he will not alter his home.
He said: 'I don't actually mind the crowds. I have cams so it does amuse me to just view their shenanigans.
'Recently I looked outdoors and there was someone having their picture taken - with 3 others queueing for their turn.
'Another time a business appeared to be having an entire photoshoot. They had a little clothing modification camping tent and whatever. They in fact left a bunch of brand name new clothes here - tags and all. I put up a sign, stating to knock on my door to gather them.
'But when a few weeks passed and nobody came to get them, I provided to my granddaughter.
'It's busiest when it's bright. In early May, when we had all that great weather condition, there were loads of people.
'I know it bothers others however it doesn't truly bother me. I simply believe, 'Live and let live'. Life's too short.'
But one instance of an over-confident traveler saw him rack up a costs worth countless pounds.
He stated: 'I've had the tiles damaged from women in high heels getting on the steps.
'That's a bit annoying - as I had to pay to have them . But that's been my only concern truly.'
They declare influencers stand right outside their doors to get the best shot with some even going through several outfit changes
But he insisted he would never ever stray from the iconic colour: 'It was pink when I moved in back in 1978 so it belongs to your house. I'm not altering it. It will always be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill homeowners have grown fed up of the photoshoots happening in front of their popular colourful houses and have actually painted them black in a quote to stop the 'impolite' tourists.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are constantly swamped with individuals taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties.
They declare influencers stand best outside their doors to get the best shot.
It's claimed that brazen travelers will likewise enjoy lunchtime picnics on their doorsteps and often peer through their windows 'forgetting that people in fact live there'.
A bicyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was just recently found shouting, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are typical houses.'
Two homes on the road have actually now ditched their previous bright exterior - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will for that reason stop individuals coming there.
Previously, a purple and pink home sat either side of an already-black house but now they have joined forces with their neighbour.
A 'peaceful zone' indication has actually likewise been installed - 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 dumped their previous brilliant outside - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will therefore stop individuals coming there. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Pictured: How your houses on Lancaster Road looked in 2022
Mike, who lives in a blue-green flat, informed Metro the noise from travelers has got so bad that he has had to move his meditation classes to the back of his house.
He said: 'What is more irritating than anything else is simply sound. Tourists work at a different volume level. There will be a group of 70 plus. It sounds like a football match.'
Fed-up Notting Hill residents paint their vibrant terraced homes black to get rid of influencers
One resident, who did not want to be named, said: 'Our home was actually initially black and the others weren't.
'But the other 2 decided to join us a couple months ago as we all agree that black homes do not look great on social networks.
'I understand why people take pictures - since of how it looks - however it simply gets so jam-packed.
'We can have hundreds of individuals on the street simultaneously and it's a domestic road - we're unable to accommodate travelers.
'I believe people simply forget that people live here. So the hope with painting your houses black is that travelers will unwind a bit. It's been working a bit up until now, to be fair.'
The citizen stated he didn't anticipate the staying houses on the street to also ditch their vibrant paint however stated it may be needed if the problem continues.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are continuously swamped with people taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties
Tourists taking photographs on Lancaster road where Notting Hill residents paint famous colourful houses black in quote to delay influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill homeowners have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster roadway in 2025
A resident in the 3rd black home did not wish to talk today describing that the point of the colour change had actually been to 'eliminate the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He said: 'We undoubtedly want our neighbours to do whatever they desire, however if this does not work, and we all have to go one colour to get it to stop, then hopefully as a street we can collaborate and do that.'
Another citizen, who likewise wished to be confidential, stated: 'My family relocated about a month earlier and the previous owner painted it black simply in the past because they were fed-up with how lots of individuals stop out front.
'It gets insane. People get on the actions and take loads of pictures. On the weekends, there can be numerous individuals.
'It's not Londoners, it's primarily tourists. But it just gets demanding. I know my moms and dads hate it.
'The hope with the black homes is that it's less picturesque. They basically desire to bring in less attention.'
A citizen in the third black home did not wish to talk today explaining that the point of the colour change had actually been to 'eliminate the attention' and 'not draw more individuals here'.
Two tourists who were on Lancaster Road today were Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were visiting London from Australia.
They said the choice to paint your houses black was 'a downer'.
Two tourists Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were going to London from Australia, said the decision to paint your houses black was 'a downer'
Residents are now campaigning to try and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to follow suit
A letter distributed among house owners urges them to 'consider' repainting to dissuade tourists and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They said: 'I mean individuals are drawn here due to the fact that of the street being iconic and colourful, ideal?
'It's a tourist spot and undoubtedly tourism benefits the regional economy. It's a bit of a downer to paint the houses black. We're not fans of that.
'But to be sincere, it most likely won't work. If the rest are still colourful, 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 match.
A letter circulated among house owners urges them to 'think about' repainting to dissuade tourists and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing tourist effect on our street', it checks out: 'As numerous of you have actually noticed, our section of the street has actually ended up being an increasingly popular area for social media tourists, drawn by the vibrant colours of our homes.
'While it's fantastic to see gratitude for our street, the consistent crowds, sound, litter and lack of privacy triggered by people sitting on our stairs are beginning to take a toll on our day-to-day lives.'
The letter goes on to claim that 'disruptive tourist' has actually suggested locals have actually dealt with 'rental challenges' - and 'estate representatives have actually verified it is negatively affecting the price of our residential or commercial properties'.
A 'peaceful zone' sign has likewise been set up - and one residential or commercial property further down the street has actually even strung a rope across their front actions
It continues: 'As a possible option, 3 households, 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 think about jointly doing the same, we may have the ability to bring back some peace and privacy to our neighborhood.'
Meanwhile, other homeowners described that they had actually formerly painted their houses more neutral colours, likewise in the hope of becoming less appealing to travelers and influencers.
George Hencken, who has resided in Notting Hill for 29 years, stated: 'Our home utilized to be pink but we painted it grey around 7 years earlier.
'The point was to be an unphotogenic colour.
'But the thing is, and something those who have actually painted their homes black will quickly learn, is that even if individuals aren't using their house as a photo background - they'll still be here.
'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their entrance, sheltering outside when it's raining, and even changing attire on their front steps.
'And Instagram and TikTok are having this effect all over the world. I know that there's a coffee shop in Japan, with a background of Mount Fuji, which has had to close because of it.
'And throughout the years I've only had one tourist state to me, 'You need to get so ill of it'.
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'With great deals of the others - there's simply this sense of conceit and privilege.'
Ms Hencken described that what annoyed her most was that none of the tourists or influencers appeared to have any idea of Notting Hill's history.
Homeowners have found the most effective thing is positioning 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 expensive homes, however this street also has a lot of social housing.
'They don't know the history.
'Since Richard Curtis made that stupid film every American lender or rich guy from Switzerland who invests a couple of months here, when asked where they desire to live, says: 'Oh, my better half likes that film'.
'It's altering the area. Our doorsteps used to be social places. We 'd remain here and chat to good friends and neighbours.
'Today you can't do that. If you do, any random individual thinks they can come and sit here too.'
Another local, whose home is beige, also thought the colour would ward individuals off however found the most efficient thing is positioning a rope in front of his steps.
He stated: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as a few of the more vibrant ones - however the most efficient thing is these straps we have now.
'I understand the green home has seen a huge drop given that putting theirs there.
'Because it does get ridiculous. Before, we had individuals presenting on our steps - which clearly set my pet off.
'They 'd even have picnics there. It's simply disrespectful.
'With Instagrammers, it's constantly the same kind of individuals. You can identify them. Great deals of Italians - which I can since I'm Italian.
'As for the travelers, I imply, it's individuals are coming here for pretty photos instead of going somewhere of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'
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