The owner of one of London's the majority of 'Instagrammable' homes states he'll always keep it painted pink, even though the colour draws in crowds of posturing influencers.
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Peter Lee, 80, says his home in Notting Hill, west London is gone to daily by individuals using it as a backdrop for their social media images.
The great-grandfather has actually taken a different view to a group of dissatisfied residents living on Lancaster Road, renowned for it's vibrant homes, just over a mile away.
They have painted their homes black in the hopes of fending off selfie-loving influencers - who they say are swarming their domestic street.
The previous 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 balancing on his railings.
Others - often dressed in just a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean versus the front door.
He included that numerous influencers will invest entire mornings outside his home - even undergoing attire changes.
Mr Lee's doorstep has actually also attracted stars from Made In Chelsea and a current photoshoot from a clothes giant he selected not to name.
Peter Lee, 80, is the owner of among London's most 'Instagrammable' homes and says he'll constantly keep it painted pink, despite the fact that the colour attracts hordes of influencers presenting for images
The previous designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, said he's seen people doing the splits in front of his steps - and even balancing on his railings
Notting Hill has actually become renowned for its attractive colourful homes and has ended up being an Instagram hotspot
Despite the continuous visitors, Mr Lee is adamant that he will not alter his house.
He said: 'I don't really mind the crowds. I have cams so it does amuse me to just watch their shenanigans.
'Recently I looked outdoors and there was somebody having their photo taken - with three others queueing for their turn.
'Another time a company appeared to be having a whole photoshoot. They had a little outfit modification camping tent and everything. They really left a lot of brand name brand-new clothes here - tags and all. I set up an indication, saying 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 great weather, there were loads of individuals.
'I know it troubles others however it does not really bother me. I simply believe, 'Live and let live'. Life's too short.'
But one instance of an over-confident tourist saw him acquire a bill worth thousands of pounds.
He said: 'I have actually had the tiles harmed from ladies in high heels jumping on the steps.
'That's a bit irritating - as I needed to pay to have them fixed. But that's been my only problem really.'
They claim influencers stand best outside their doors to get the perfect shot with some even going through numerous outfit changes
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 belongs to your house. I'm not changing it. It will constantly be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill citizens have grown fed up of the photoshoots taking place in front of their well-known colourful homes and have painted them black in a bid to stop the 'rude' travelers.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are constantly swamped with individuals taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties.
They declare influencers stand right outside their doors to get the best shot.
It's declared that brazen travelers will also delight in lunchtime 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 recently found shouting, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are normal homes.'
Two houses on the road have actually now ditched their previous bright outside - 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 however now they have actually signed up with forces with their neighbour.
A 'peaceful zone' sign has actually likewise been installed - and one residential or commercial property further down the street has even strung a rope across their front actions.
Fed up Notting Hill have actually dropped their previous brilliant exterior - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will therefore stop individuals coming there. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Pictured: How the homes on Lancaster Road searched in 2022
Mike, who lives in a turquoise flat, told Metro the noise from tourists has got so bad that he has actually needed to move his meditation classes to the back of his home.
He stated: 'What is more annoying than anything else is simply sound. 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 locals paint their colourful terraced homes black to eliminate influencers
One local, who did not wish to be called, stated: 'Our home was actually initially black and the others weren't.
'But the other 2 chose to join us a couple months earlier as all of us agree that black homes do not look good on social media.
'I comprehend why people take pictures - because of how it looks - however it just gets so jam-packed.
'We can have numerous people on the street at as soon as and it's a residential roadway - we're unable to deal with travelers.
'I believe individuals simply forget that people live here. So the hope with painting your homes black is that travelers will unwind a bit. It's been working a little bit so far, to be reasonable.'
The resident stated he didn't anticipate the staying homes on the street to likewise ditch their vibrant paint but stated it might be necessary if the problem continues.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - situated just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are constantly swamped with individuals taking images in front of their residential or commercial properties
Tourists taking photographs on Lancaster road where Notting Hill citizens paint famous vibrant homes black in bid to delay influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill homeowners have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster roadway in 2025
A homeowner in the third black home did not wish to talk today discussing that the point of the colour modification had been to 'eliminate the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He stated: 'We obviously want our neighbours to do whatever they desire, but if this doesn't work, and all of us have 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, stated: 'My family moved in about a month ago and the previous owner painted it black prior to since they were fed-up with the number of people stop out front.
'It gets crazy. People get on the actions and take loads of photos. On the weekends, there can be numerous individuals.
'It's not Londoners, it's generally tourists. 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 attract less attention.'
A citizen in the third black house did not wish to talk today discussing that the point of the colour modification had been to 'eliminate the attention' and 'not draw more people here'.
Two travelers 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 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 fit
A letter distributed among homeowners advises them to 'think about' repainting to discourage tourists and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They stated: 'I mean people are drawn here because of the street being iconic and vibrant, best?
'It's a traveler spot and surely tourism benefits the local economy. It's a little a downer to paint the homes black. We're not fans of that.
'But to be sincere, it most likely will not work. If the rest are still vibrant, individuals 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 follow fit.
A letter circulated amongst property owners urges them to 'think about' repainting to dissuade travelers and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing tourist effect on our street', it checks out: 'As much of you have discovered, our area of the street has become a progressively popular area for social networks travelers, drawn by the lively colours of our homes.
'While it's excellent to see gratitude for our street, the continuous crowds, sound, litter and absence of personal privacy triggered by individuals sitting on our stairs are beginning to take a toll on our lives.'
The letter goes on to declare that 'disruptive tourist' has actually suggested citizens have dealt with 'rental obstacles' - and 'estate representatives have validated it is adversely impacting the cost of our residential or commercial properties'.
A 'peaceful zone' sign has actually also been set 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, three households, nos [redacted] have chosen to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to help decrease the visual pull for tourists.
'If more people consider jointly doing the same, we may be able to restore some peace and personal privacy to our neighborhood.'
Meanwhile, other property owners explained that they had actually previously painted their houses more neutral colours, also in the hope of ending up being less attractive to tourists and influencers.
George Hencken, who has resided in Notting Hill for 29 years, stated: 'Our home utilized to be pink however 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 painted their homes black will quickly find out, is that even if individuals aren't using their home as an image backdrop - they'll still be here.
'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their doorway, safeguarding outside when it's drizzling, and even changing clothing on their front actions.
'And Instagram and TikTok are having this effect all over the world. I know that there's a cafe in Japan, with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, which has needed to close due to the fact that of it.
'And throughout the years I've just had one tourist state to me, 'You should get so tired of it'.
'With lots of the others - there's simply this sense of conceit and entitlement.'
Ms Hencken described that what annoyed her most was that none of the travelers or influencers appeared to have any concept of Notting Hill's history.
Homeowners have discovered the most efficient thing is putting a rope in front of his steps. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Lancaster Road situated simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London
She stated: 'This area utilized to be a proud rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are costly houses, however this street likewise has a great deal of social housing.
'They do not know the history.
'Ever because Richard Curtis made that foolish movie every American banker or abundant guy from Switzerland who spends a few months here, when asked where they wish to live, states: 'Oh, my spouse likes that movie'.
'It's altering the location. Our doorsteps utilized to be social locations. We 'd sit out here and chat to good friends and .
'But 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 however found the most reliable thing is placing a rope in front of his actions.
He said: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as a few of the more colourful ones - however the most effective thing is these straps we have now.
'I understand the green house has actually seen a huge drop because putting theirs there.
'Because it does get absurd. Before, we had people posing on our actions - which clearly set my canine off.
'They 'd even have picnics there. It's just disrespectful.
'With Instagrammers, it's always the very same type of people. You can identify them. Lots of Italians - which I can because I'm Italian.
'As for the travelers, I indicate, it's the people are coming here for pretty pictures rather of going someplace 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
terihoffmann13 edited this page 2025-06-20 19:48:26 +08:00