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The owner of among London's a lot of 'Instagrammable' homes says he'll always keep it painted pink, despite the fact that the colour draws in hordes of posturing influencers.
Peter Lee, 80, says his home in Notting Hill, west London is visited daily by individuals using it as a background for their social networks pictures.
The great-grandfather has actually taken a different view to a group of disgruntled locals living on Lancaster Road, famous for it's colourful homes, just over a mile away.
They have actually painted their homes black in the hopes of warding off selfie-loving influencers - who they say are swarming their domestic street.
The previous designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen individuals doing the divides in front of his steps - and even balancing on his railings.
Others - often worn simply a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean against the front door.
He added that lots of influencers will invest whole mornings outside his home - even undergoing clothing changes.
Mr Lee's doorstep has actually also attracted stars from Made In Chelsea and a recent photoshoot from a clothes giant he selected 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, although the colour draws in crowds of influencers posing for images
The former fashion designer, who has lived in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen people doing the divides in front of his actions - and even balancing on his railings
Notting Hill has ended up being well known for its attractive vibrant homes and has actually ended up being an Instagram hotspot
Despite the consistent visitors, Mr Lee is adamant that he won't change his house.
He said: 'I don't actually mind the crowds. I have electronic cameras so it does entertain me to simply enjoy their shenanigans.
'Recently I looked outdoors and there was someone having their image taken - with three others queueing for their turn.
'Another time a company seemed to be having a whole photoshoot. They had a little clothing change and whatever. They in fact left a lot of brand name new clothing here - tags and all. I set up an indication, stating to knock on my door to gather them.
'But when a couple of weeks went by and nobody pertained to get them, I provided them to my granddaughter.
'It's busiest when it's bright. In early May, when we had all that excellent weather, there were loads of people.
'I understand it troubles others but it doesn't truly bother me. I just believe, 'Live and let live'. Life's too brief.'
But one circumstances of an over-confident tourist saw him acquire a bill worth thousands of pounds.
He stated: 'I have actually had actually the tiles harmed from females in high heels getting on the steps.
'That's a bit frustrating - as I had to pay to have them fixed. But that's been my only problem actually.'
They declare influencers stand ideal outside their doors to get the best shot with some even going through several attire modifications
But he insisted he would never ever stray from the iconic colour: 'It was pink when I relocated back in 1978 so it's part of the home. I'm not altering it. It will constantly be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill residents have actually grown fed up of the photoshoots taking place in front of their popular vibrant houses and have painted them black in a bid to stop the 'impolite' tourists.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - situated simply metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are constantly swamped with people taking photos in front of their residential or commercial properties.
They declare influencers stand ideal outside their doors to get the perfect shot.
It's declared that brazen tourists will likewise delight in lunch break picnics on their doorsteps and typically peer through their windows 'forgetting that people in fact live there'.
A cyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was just recently spotted screaming, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are regular houses.'
Two homes on the road have actually now ditched their previous bright 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 but now they have actually joined forces with their neighbour.
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.
Fed up Notting Hill have actually dropped their previous bright exterior - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will for that reason stop individuals coming there. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Pictured: How the houses on Lancaster Road looked in 2022
Mike, who lives in a turquoise flat, told Metro the noise from tourists has actually got so bad that he has needed to move his meditation classes to the back of his house.
He said: 'What is more annoying than anything else is just noise. Tourists operate at a different volume level. There will be a group of 70 plus. It seems like a football match.'
Fed-up Notting Hill residents paint their vibrant terraced homes black to get rid of influencers
One local, who did not want to be called, said: 'Our house was in fact initially black and the others weren't.
'But the other two decided to join us a couple months ago as we all concur that black houses do not look great on social networks.
'I understand why people take pictures - since of how it looks - but it just gets so jam-packed.
'We can have numerous individuals on the street simultaneously and it's a domestic roadway - we're unable to accommodate travelers.
'I believe individuals just forget that individuals live here. So the hope with painting the homes black is that travelers will unwind a bit. It's been working a little bit up until now, to be reasonable.'
The local said he didn't anticipate the staying homes on the street to likewise ditch their vibrant paint however stated it may be necessary if the problem continues.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are constantly overloaded with people taking photos in front of their residential or commercial properties
Tourists taking photos on Lancaster roadway where Notting Hill residents paint popular vibrant houses black in bid to delay influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill citizens have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster roadway in 2025
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'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He said: 'We clearly desire our neighbours to do whatever they want, however if this does not work, and all of us have to go one colour to get it to stop, then ideally as a street we can sign up with together and do that.'
Another local, who likewise wished to be anonymous, said: 'My family moved in about a month back and the previous owner painted it black just previously because they were fed-up with the number of individuals stop out front.
'It gets insane. People get on the steps and take loads of images. On the weekends, there can be hundreds of people.
'It's not Londoners, it's primarily tourists. But it simply gets demanding. I understand my moms and dads hate it.
'The hope with the black houses is that it's less picturesque. They basically wish to attract less attention.'
A citizen in the third black home did not desire to talk today explaining that the point of the colour change had 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 travelers Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were visiting London from Australia, said the decision to paint the 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 distributed among house owners advises them to 'think about' repainting to discourage travelers and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They said: 'I imply people are drawn here because of the street being iconic and vibrant, best?
'It's a traveler spot and definitely tourist benefits the local 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 homes'.
'It hasn't stopped us.'
Residents are now campaigning to attempt and get other vibrant residential or commercial properties on the street to follow suit.
A letter flowed amongst homeowners advises them to 'think about' repainting to dissuade tourists and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing traveler influence on our street', it reads: 'As a lot of you have observed, our section of the street has become an increasingly popular spot for social media travelers, drawn by the lively colours of our homes.
'While it's great to see gratitude for our street, the constant crowds, noise, litter and absence of personal privacy caused by people resting on our stairs are beginning to take a toll on our every day lives.'
The letter goes on to declare that 'disruptive tourism' has indicated locals have actually faced 'rental challenges' - and 'estate agents have actually confirmed it is adversely affecting the cost of our residential or commercial properties'.
A 'quiet zone' sign has likewise been set up - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has actually even strung a rope across their front actions
It continues: 'As a possible option, 3 households, nos [redacted] have chosen to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to help in reducing the visual pull for travelers.
'If more of us think about jointly doing the very same, we may have the ability to bring back some peace and privacy to our neighborhood.'
Meanwhile, other homeowners described that they had formerly painted their homes more neutral colours, also 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 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 home as a photo background - they'll still be here.
'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their doorway, safeguarding outside when it's drizzling, and even changing attire on their front actions.
'And Instagram and TikTok are having this impact all over the world. I understand that there's a coffee shop in Japan, with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, which has actually needed to close since of it.
'And throughout the years I've only 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 explained that what irritated her most was that none of the tourists or influencers seemed to have any concept of Notting Hill's history.
Homeowners have found the most reliable 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 happy rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are expensive houses, but this street also has a great deal of social housing.
'They do not understand the history.
'Since Richard Curtis made that stupid film every American banker or abundant guy from Switzerland who invests a few months here, when asked where they desire to live, states: '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 pals and neighbours.
'Now 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 believed the colour would ward individuals off but discovered the most efficient thing is putting a rope in front of his actions.
He stated: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as some of the more vibrant ones - but the most efficient thing is these straps we have now.
'I understand the green house has actually seen a big drop considering that putting theirs there.
'Because it does get outrageous. Before, we had individuals posturing on our steps - which certainly set my dog off.
'They 'd even have picnics there. It's simply rude.
'With Instagrammers, it's constantly the very same type of people. You can identify them. Lots of Italians - which I can due to the fact that I'm Italian.
'As for the travelers, I imply, it's the 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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Notting Hill's Top Selfie Spot is my home i won't Paint It Black
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