The owner of one of London's a lot of 'Instagrammable' homes says he'll always keep it painted pink, even though 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 using it as a background for their social networks photos.
The great-grandfather has taken a various view to a group of unhappy residents living on Lancaster Road, famous for it's vibrant homes, just over a mile away.
They have actually painted their houses black in the hopes of warding off selfie-loving influencers - who they state are swarming their property street.
The former designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen people doing the divides in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings.
Others - in some cases dressed in just a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean against the front door.
He included that many influencers will invest whole mornings outside his home - even undergoing clothing changes.
Mr Lee's doorstep has also attracted 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 many 'Instagrammable' homes and states he'll always keep it painted pink, although the colour draws in hordes of influencers posturing for images
The previous style designer, who has actually resided 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 become well known for its stunning colourful houses and has actually become an Instagram hotspot
Despite the consistent visitors, Mr Lee is adamant that he won't change his home.
He said: 'I don't actually mind the crowds. I have cams so it does entertain me to simply view 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 seemed to be having an entire photoshoot. They had a little outfit change camping tent and whatever. They really left a lot of brand name new clothing here - tags and all. I installed a sign, stating to knock on my door to collect them.
'But when a few weeks went by and no one concerned get them, I offered them to my granddaughter.
'It's busiest when it's sunny. In early May, when we had all that good weather, there were loads of individuals.
'I understand it bothers others but it does not actually trouble me. I just believe, 'Live and let live'. Life's too brief.'
But one instance of an over-confident tourist saw him acquire an expense worth countless pounds.
He said: 'I have actually had the tiles harmed from women 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 issue truly.'
They claim influencers stand best outside their doors to get the best 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 relocated back in 1978 so it's part of your home. I'm not changing it. It will always be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill locals have actually grown fed up of the photoshoots happening in front of their famous colourful homes and have actually painted them black in a quote to stop the 'rude' travelers.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are continuously swamped with individuals taking photos in front of their residential or commercial properties.
They declare influencers stand best outside their doors to get the best shot.
It's declared that brazen tourists will likewise delight in lunchtime picnics on their doorsteps and typically peer through their windows 'forgetting that people actually live there'.
A bicyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was recently found yelling, '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 therefore stop individuals coming there.
Previously, a purple and pink home sat either side of an already-black house now they have actually joined forces with their neighbour.
A 'peaceful zone' indication has actually also been set 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 ditched their previous brilliant outside - 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 your homes on Lancaster Road looked in 2022
Mike, who lives in a blue-green flat, informed Metro the noise from tourists has got so bad that he has actually had to move his meditation classes to the back of his house.
He stated: 'What is more irritating than anything else is just 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 homeowners paint their colourful terraced homes black to get rid of influencers
One homeowner, who did not wish to be named, stated: 'Our home was in fact 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 houses don't look good on social media.
'I understand why individuals take pictures - since of how it looks - but it simply gets so packed.
'We can have hundreds of people on the street at the same time and it's a residential roadway - we're unable to accommodate travelers.
'I think people just forget that individuals live here. So the hope with painting the homes black is that travelers will relax a bit. It's been working a bit so far, to be reasonable.'
The local stated he didn't anticipate the remaining houses on the street to likewise ditch their colourful paint but stated it may be necessary if the problem continues.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are continuously overloaded with individuals taking photos in front of their residential or commercial properties
Tourists taking photos on Lancaster road where Notting Hill homeowners paint well-known vibrant houses black in bid to put off influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill residents have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster roadway in 2025
A citizen in the third black home did not desire to talk today discussing that the point of the colour change had actually been to 'get rid of the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He stated: 'We undoubtedly desire our neighbours to do whatever they want, however 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 local, who likewise wished to be confidential, stated: 'My household relocated about a month ago and the previous owner painted it black right before due to the fact that they were fed-up with how numerous 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 moms and dads dislike it.
'The hope with the black houses is that it's less picturesque. They generally wish to draw in less attention.'
A resident in the 3rd black house did not wish to talk today explaining that the point of the colour modification had been to 'eliminate the attention' and 'not draw more individuals here'.
Two travelers who were on Lancaster Road today were Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were visiting London from Australia.
They stated the choice to paint your homes black was 'a downer'.
Two travelers Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were visiting London from Australia, stated the choice to paint your homes black was 'a downer'
Residents are now campaigning to try and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to do the same
A letter distributed among homeowners urges them to 'think about' repainting to discourage travelers and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They stated: 'I suggest individuals are drawn here since of the street being renowned and vibrant, best?
'It's a tourist spot and surely tourism is excellent for the local economy. It's a little bit of a downer to paint your homes black. We're not fans of that.
'But to be truthful, it probably won't work. If the rest are still vibrant, 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 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 match.
A letter distributed amongst homeowners prompts them to 'consider' repainting to prevent tourists and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing traveler impact on our street', it checks out: 'As a number of you have actually noticed, our section of the street has ended up being an increasingly popular area for social media tourists, drawn by the dynamic colours of our homes.
'While it's great to see gratitude for our street, the consistent crowds, sound, litter and absence of privacy caused by people sitting on our stairs are beginning to take a toll on our every day lives.'
The letter goes on to declare that 'disruptive tourism' has suggested citizens have actually faced 'rental challenges' - and 'estate agents have actually validated it is negatively impacting the price of our residential or commercial properties'.
A 'quiet zone' sign has actually also been installed - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has even strung a rope throughout their front actions
It continues: 'As a possible solution, 3 families, nos [redacted] have chosen to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to help decrease the visual pull for tourists.
'If more of us consider collectively doing the same, we may be able to bring back some peace and privacy to our community.'
Meanwhile, other homeowners discussed that they had previously painted their houses more neutral colours, also in the hope of ending up being less appealing to tourists and influencers.
George Hencken, who has resided in Notting Hill for 29 years, said: '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 discover out, is that even if people aren't using their home as a picture backdrop - they'll still be here.
'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their doorway, sheltering outside when it's raining, and even changing clothing on their front actions.
'And Instagram and TikTok are having this result all over the world. I know that there's a cafe in Japan, with a background of Mount Fuji, which has actually had to close because of it.
'And throughout the years I've just had one tourist say to me, 'You must get so sick of it'.
'With great deals of the others - there's simply this sense of arrogance and privilege.'
Ms Hencken discussed that what frustrated her most was that none of the travelers or influencers appeared to have any concept 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 situated simply metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London
She said: 'This location utilized to be a happy rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are costly homes, but this street also has a lot of social housing.
'They don't know the history.
'Ever because 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 wish to live, states: 'Oh, my wife likes that movie'.
'It's changing the area. Our doorsteps utilized to be social places. We 'd sit out here and chat to pals 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 but discovered the most effective 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 effective thing is these straps we have now.
'I understand the green house has actually seen a substantial drop given that putting theirs there.
'Because it does get ridiculous. Before, we had individuals posing on our actions - which clearly set my pet off.
'They 'd even have picnics there. It's simply disrespectful.
'With Instagrammers, it's always the very same sort of individuals. You can identify them. Great deals of Italians - which I can because I'm Italian.
'As for the travelers, I indicate, it's individuals are coming here for quite images instead of going somewhere of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'
LondonMade In Chelsea
