Notting Hill's Top Selfie Spot is my home - i will not Paint It Black
zillow.com
The owner of among London's a lot of 'Instagrammable' homes says he'll constantly keep it painted pink, even though 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 media pictures.
realtor.com
The great-grandfather has actually taken a different view to a group of disgruntled residents residing on Lancaster Road, famous for it's vibrant homes, simply over a mile away.
They have actually painted their homes black in the hopes of fending off selfie-loving influencers - who they say are swarming their domestic street.
The previous fashion designer, who has actually resided in his home for 47 years, said he's seen individuals doing the splits in front of his steps - 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 spend whole early mornings outside his home - even undergoing outfit modifications.
Mr Lee's doorstep has actually also attracted stars from Made In Chelsea and a recent photoshoot from a clothing giant he chose not to name.
Peter Lee, 80, is the owner of one of London's most 'Instagrammable' homes and states he'll constantly keep it painted pink, even though the colour attracts hordes of influencers positioning for photos
The former designer, who has actually resided in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen individuals doing the divides in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings
Notting Hill has become famed for its attractive vibrant houses and has actually become an Instagram hotspot
Despite the constant visitors, Mr Lee is adamant that he will not alter his house.
He stated: 'I do not really mind the crowds. I have cams so it does amuse me to simply view their antics.
'Recently I looked outdoors and there was someone having their photo taken - with 3 others queueing for their turn.
'Another time a business seemed to be having an entire photoshoot. They had a little outfit change tent and whatever. They really left a lot of brand brand-new clothing here - tags and all. I installed an indication, saying to knock on my door to gather them.
'But when a couple of weeks passed and no one came to get them, I provided to my granddaughter.
'It's busiest when it's warm. In early May, when we had all that great weather, there were loads of individuals.
'I understand it bothers others but it doesn't actually bother me. I just think, 'Live and let live'. Life's too brief.'
But one circumstances of an over-confident traveler saw him rack up a bill worth thousands of pounds.
He stated: 'I've had actually the tiles harmed from females in high heels jumping on the actions.
'That's a bit irritating - as I had to pay to have them fixed. But that's been my only concern really.'
They claim influencers stand ideal outside their doors to get the ideal shot with some even going through numerous outfit modifications
But he insisted he would never wander off from the renowned colour: 'It was pink when I relocated back in 1978 so it becomes part of your house. I'm not altering it. It will constantly be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill residents have grown fed up of the photoshoots occurring in front of their famous colourful houses and have painted them black in a quote to stop the 'impolite' travelers.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - situated just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are continuously overloaded with people taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties.
They declare influencers stand right outside their doors to get the ideal shot.
It's claimed that brazen travelers will also delight in lunch break picnics on their doorsteps and typically peer through their windows 'forgetting that individuals in fact live there'.
A bicyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was recently identified shouting, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are normal homes.'
Two homes on the roadway have actually now dropped their previous intense outside - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will for that reason stop people coming there.
Previously, a purple and pink home sat either side of an already-black home today they have actually joined forces with their neighbour.
A 'peaceful zone' indication has likewise been put up - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has even strung a rope across their front actions.
Fed up Notting Hill have actually dumped their previous bright outside - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will for that reason stop people coming there. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Pictured: How your homes on Lancaster Road searched in 2022
Mike, who lives in a blue-green flat, informed Metro the sound from travelers has got so bad that he has had to move his meditation classes to the back of his home.
He said: 'What is more annoying than anything else is simply noise. Tourists operate at a various volume level. There will be a group of 70 plus. It sounds like a football match.'
Fed-up Notting Hill residents paint their colourful terraced homes black to get rid of influencers
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: 'Our home was actually originally black and the others weren't.
'But the other 2 decided to join us a couple months back as we all concur that black houses don't look good on social media.
'I understand why individuals take pictures - because of how it looks - but it simply gets so jam-packed.
'We can have hundreds of individuals on the street at as soon as and it's a property road - we're not able to deal with travelers.
'I believe individuals simply forget that individuals live here. So the hope with painting your houses black is that travelers will relax a bit. It's been working a little bit up until now, to be reasonable.'
The local said he didn't expect the remaining houses on the street to likewise ditch their vibrant paint however said it may be necessary if the issue continues.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are constantly overloaded with people taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties
Tourists taking photographs on Lancaster road where Notting Hill citizens paint famous vibrant houses black in quote to put off influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill residents have paint their vibrant homes black. Pictured: Lancaster roadway in 2025
A resident in the third black home did not want to talk today describing that the point of the colour change had been to 'eliminate the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He said: 'We certainly want our neighbours to do whatever they want, but if this doesn't work, and we all need to go one colour to get it to stop, then hopefully as a street we can collaborate and do that.'
Another local, who also wished to be anonymous, said: 'My household moved in about a month ago and the previous owner painted it black prior to due to the fact that they were fed-up with how lots of individuals stop out front.
'It gets insane. People get on the actions and take loads of images. On the weekends, there can be numerous people.
'It's not Londoners, it's generally travelers. But it just gets difficult. I know my parents hate it.
'The hope with the black homes is that it's less picturesque. They generally wish to bring in less attention.'
A local in the third black house did not want to talk today discussing that the point of the colour change had actually been to 'get rid of the attention' and 'not draw more individuals here'.
Two travelers who were on Lancaster Road today were Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were going to London from Australia.
They said the choice to paint your houses black was 'a downer'.
Two travelers Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were going to London from Australia, said the choice to paint your homes black was 'a downer'
Residents are now campaigning to attempt and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to follow suit
A letter flowed amongst homeowners prompts them to 'consider' repainting to discourage tourists and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They stated: 'I imply individuals are drawn here since of the street being iconic and vibrant, right?
'It's a tourist spot and certainly tourist is good for the local economy. It's a bit of a downer to paint your houses black. We're not fans of that.
'But to be honest, it most likely will not 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 fit.
A letter circulated amongst house owners urges them to 'think about' repainting to prevent travelers and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing tourist influence on our street', it checks out: 'As numerous of you have actually observed, our area of the street has ended up being a progressively popular area for social media tourists, drawn by the dynamic colours of our homes.
'While it's terrific to see gratitude for our street, the constant crowds, noise, litter and absence of personal privacy brought on by on our stairs are beginning to take a toll on our lives.'
The letter goes on to claim that 'disruptive tourist' has meant homeowners have actually dealt with 'rental challenges' - and 'estate representatives have validated it is adversely impacting the price of our residential or commercial properties'.
A 'quiet zone' indication has actually likewise been put up - and one residential or commercial property further down the street has even strung a rope across their front actions
It continues: 'As a possible option, 3 homes, nos [redacted] have decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to help minimize the visual pull for travelers.
'If more people think about collectively doing the same, we might have the ability to restore some peace and personal privacy to our community.'
Meanwhile, other homeowners discussed that they had previously painted their houses more neutral colours, likewise in the hope of becoming less appealing to tourists and influencers.
George Hencken, who has actually resided in Notting Hill for 29 years, said: 'Our home utilized to be pink but we painted it grey around seven years earlier.
'The point was to be an unphotogenic colour.
'But the thing is, and something those who have painted their homes black will quickly learn, is that even if people aren't using their home as a picture background - they'll still be here.
'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their doorway, safeguarding outside when it's raining, and even altering outfit on their front actions.
'And Instagram and TikTok are having this effect all over the world. I understand that there's a coffee shop in Japan, with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, which has had to close because of it.
'And throughout the years I have actually only had one traveler state to me, 'You should get so tired of it'.
'With great deals of the others - there's just this sense of conceit and entitlement.'
Ms Hencken explained that what annoyed her most was that none of the tourists or influencers seemed to have any idea of Notting Hill's history.
Homeowners have found the most reliable thing is putting 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 stated: 'This location utilized to be a proud rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are costly houses, however this street also has a lot of social housing.
'They do not understand the history.
'Ever because Richard Curtis made that foolish film every American lender or abundant guy from Switzerland who invests a couple of months here, when asked where they want to live, says: 'Oh, my better half likes that movie'.
'It's changing the location. Our doorsteps used to be social places. We 'd sit out here and chat to buddies and neighbours.
'But now you can't do that. If you do, any random person thinks they can come and sit here too.'
Another local, whose home is beige, also thought the colour would ward people off but discovered the most reliable thing is putting a rope in front of his steps.
He said: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as some of the more vibrant ones - however the most reliable thing is these straps we have now.
'I know the green home has actually seen a huge drop considering that putting theirs there.
'Because it does get ludicrous. Before, we had individuals posing on our actions - which clearly set my dog off.
'They 'd even have picnics there. It's simply rude.
'With Instagrammers, it's always the exact same type of people. You can spot them. Lots of Italians - which I can because I'm Italian.
'As for the tourists, I mean, it's individuals are coming here for pretty pictures rather of going somewhere of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'
LondonMade In Chelsea