The owner of one of London's many 'Instagrammable' homes says he'll constantly keep it painted pink, although the colour brings in hordes of posturing influencers.
Peter Lee, 80, says his home in Notting Hill, west London is gone to daily by individuals utilizing it as a backdrop for their social media pictures.
The great-grandfather has actually taken a various view to a group of dissatisfied locals surviving on Lancaster Road, famed for it's colourful homes, just over a mile away.
They have painted their homes black in the hopes of fending off selfie-loving influencers - who they state are swarming their residential street.
The former designer, who has lived 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 - often worn simply a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean versus the front door.
He included that many influencers will spend entire early mornings outside his home - even undergoing attire changes.
Mr Lee's doorstep has likewise drawn in stars from Made In Chelsea and a recent photoshoot from a clothes giant he picked not to name.
Peter Lee, 80, is the owner of one of London's the majority of 'Instagrammable' homes and says he'll always keep it painted pink, even though the colour attracts hordes of influencers posing for pictures
The previous style designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen people doing the splits in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings
Notting Hill has ended up being well known for its stunning colourful houses and has ended up being an Instagram hotspot
Despite the consistent visitors, Mr Lee is determined that he will not alter his home.
He stated: 'I do not really mind the crowds. I have cams so it does amuse me to just see their shenanigans.
'Recently I looked outside and there was somebody having their image taken - with 3 others queueing for their turn.
'Another time a business seemed to be having an entire photoshoot. They had a little attire change tent and everything. They really left a lot of brand name brand-new clothing here - tags and all. I put up a sign, stating to knock on my door to gather them.
'But when a few weeks went by and nobody pertained to get them, I provided to my granddaughter.
'It's busiest when it's sunny. In early May, when we had all that excellent weather, there were loads of individuals.
'I understand it bothers others however it doesn't actually bother me. I simply think, 'Live and let live'. Life's too short.'
But one instance of an over-confident traveler saw him acquire a bill worth thousands of pounds.
He said: 'I've had actually the tiles damaged from females in high heels getting on the steps.
'That's a bit frustrating - as I needed to pay to have them fixed. But that's been my only problem truly.'
They claim influencers stand right outside their doors to get the ideal shot with some even undergoing multiple clothing modifications
But he insisted he would never ever wander off from the iconic colour: 'It was pink when I moved in back in 1978 so it becomes part of your house. I'm not altering it. It will constantly be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill locals have grown fed up of the photoshoots taking place in front of their well-known colourful homes and have actually painted them black in a bid to stop the 'impolite' tourists.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - situated simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are constantly overloaded with people taking photos 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 travelers will also delight in lunchtime picnics on their doorsteps and often peer through their windows 'forgetting that individuals in fact live there'.
A bicyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was recently spotted shouting, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are normal homes.'
Two homes on the road have actually now dropped their previous brilliant exterior - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will therefore stop people coming there.
Previously, a purple and pink home sat either side of an already-black house and now they have joined forces with their neighbour.
A 'peaceful zone' sign has actually also been put up - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has actually even strung a rope throughout their front actions.
Fed up Notting Hill have dropped their previous intense exterior - 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 houses on Lancaster Road looked in 2022
Mike, who resides in a blue-green flat, informed Metro the noise from travelers has actually got so bad that he has had to move his meditation classes to the back of his house.
He said: 'What is more annoying than anything else is just noise. Tourists work at a different volume level. There will be a group of 70 plus. It seems like a football match.'
Fed-up Notting Hill locals paint their vibrant terraced homes black to get rid of influencers
One local, who did not wish to be named, stated: 'Our house was really originally black and the others weren't.
'But the other 2 chose to join us a couple months back as we all concur that black houses do not look good on social media.
'I understand why people take images - since of how it looks - but it just gets so jam-packed.
'We can have hundreds of individuals on the street at the same time and it's a residential roadway - we're unable to deal with travelers.
'I think people simply forget that people live here. So the hope with painting the houses black is that tourists will relax a bit. It's been working a little bit up until now, to be reasonable.'
The local stated he didn't expect the remaining houses on the street to likewise ditch their colourful paint however said it might be needed if the problem continues.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are constantly overloaded with individuals taking photos in front of their residential or commercial properties
Tourists taking photographs on Lancaster road where Notting Hill homeowners paint famous colourful homes black in quote to put off influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill residents have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster road in 2025
A resident in the third black home did not wish to talk today describing that the point of the colour modification had been to 'eliminate the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He stated: 'We certainly desire our neighbours to do whatever they desire, however if this doesn't work, and all of us have to go one colour to get it to stop, then hopefully as a street we can collaborate and do that.'
Another homeowner, who also wanted to be confidential, stated: '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 steps and take loads of images. On the weekends, there can be numerous individuals.
'It's not Londoners, it's generally tourists. But it simply gets stressful. I know my parents hate it.
'The hope with the black houses is that it's less picturesque. They generally desire to draw in less attention.'
A local in the third black home did not wish to talk today explaining that the point of the colour change had 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 checking out London from Australia.
They stated the choice to paint your homes black was 'a downer'.
Two tourists Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were visiting London from Australia, stated the decision to paint the houses black was 'a downer'
Residents are now campaigning to attempt and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to do the same
A letter circulated among house owners advises them to 'consider' repainting to discourage travelers and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They stated: 'I suggest people are drawn here since of the street being renowned and vibrant, best?
'It's a tourist spot and surely tourist is excellent for the regional economy. It's a bit of a downer to paint your houses black. We're not fans of that.
'But to be sincere, it most likely won't work. If the rest are still vibrant, people will come here - and if they all paint their homes black, it will become: '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 do the same.
A letter circulated amongst house owners advises them to 'consider' repainting to dissuade tourists and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing traveler effect on our street', it checks out: 'As a number of you have discovered, our section of the street has actually ended up being a progressively popular area for social networks tourists, drawn by the vibrant colours of our homes.
'While it's fantastic to see appreciation for our street, the continuous crowds, sound, litter and lack of personal privacy triggered by people resting on our stairs are starting to take a toll on our lives.'
The letter goes on to claim that 'disruptive tourism' has actually implied residents have faced 'rental difficulties' - and 'estate representatives have actually confirmed it is negatively impacting the cost of our residential or commercial properties'.
A 'quiet zone' sign 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
It continues: 'As a possible solution, three households, nos [redacted] have actually chosen to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to assist reduce the visual pull for travelers.
'If more people think about jointly doing the exact same, we might be able to bring back some peace and privacy to our community.'
Meanwhile, other homeowners described that they had previously painted their homes more neutral colours, likewise in the hope of becoming less appealing to travelers and influencers.
George Hencken, who has actually resided in Notting Hill for 29 years, stated: 'Our home used to be pink however we painted it grey around 7 years ago.
'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 people aren't using their house as a picture backdrop - they'll still be here.
'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their entrance, safeguarding outside when it's drizzling, and even changing clothing on their front actions.
'And Instagram and TikTok are having this result all over the world. I understand that there's a coffee shop in Japan, with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, which has needed to close since of it.
'And over the years I've only had one traveler say to me, 'You must get so tired of it'.
'With lots of the others - there's simply this sense of arrogance 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 effective thing is placing a rope in front of his actions. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Lancaster Road located simply metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London
She stated: 'This location utilized to be a proud rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are expensive houses, but this street also has a great deal of social housing.
'They don't know the history.
'Since Richard Curtis made that silly film every American lender or rich guy from Switzerland who invests a couple of months here, when asked where they wish to live, states: 'Oh, my partner likes that movie'.
'It's changing the area. Our doorsteps utilized to be social places. We 'd sit out here and chat to good friends and neighbours.
'But now you can't do that. If you do, any random individual believes they can come and sit here too.'
Another local, whose home is beige, also believed the colour would ward people off however found the most reliable thing is putting a rope in front of his actions.
He said: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as some of the more vibrant ones - however the most effective thing is these straps we have now.
'I know the green home has seen a big drop given that putting theirs there.
'Because it does get absurd. Before, we had individuals positioning on our actions - which clearly set my pet dog off.
'They 'd even have picnics there. It's simply disrespectful.
'With Instagrammers, it's always the same type of individuals. You can find them. Lots of Italians - which I can due to the fact that I'm Italian.
'When it comes to the tourists, I suggest, it's individuals are coming here for quite images instead of going someplace of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'
LondonMade In Chelsea
