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The owner of one of London's the majority of 'Instagrammable' homes says he'll constantly keep it painted pink, despite the fact that the colour draws in hordes of posturing influencers.

Peter Lee, 80, states his home in Notting Hill, west London is visited daily by individuals utilizing it as a backdrop for their social media photos.

The great-grandfather has actually taken a different view to a group of disgruntled locals residing on Lancaster Road, famed for it's colourful homes, simply over a mile away.

They have painted their houses black in the hopes of fending off selfie-loving influencers - who they say are swarming their residential street.

The previous fashion designer, who has resided in his home for 47 years, said he's seen individuals doing the divides in front of his steps - and even stabilizing on his railings.

Others - sometimes dressed in just a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean against the front door.

He added that many influencers will spend entire mornings outside his home - even undergoing outfit modifications.

Mr Lee's doorstep has actually also brought in 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 among London's a lot of 'Instagrammable' homes and states he'll constantly keep it painted pink, although the colour draws in crowds of influencers presenting for photos

The previous 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 balancing on his railings

Notting Hill has ended up being famous for its stunning vibrant houses and has become an Instagram hotspot

Despite the constant visitors, Mr Lee is adamant that he will not alter his home.

He said: 'I do not truly mind the crowds. I have video cameras so it does amuse me to simply see their shenanigans.

'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 everything. They actually left a bunch of brand name brand-new clothes here - tags and all. I installed an indication, saying to knock on my door to collect them.

'But when a few weeks passed and no one came to get them, I offered them to my granddaughter.

'It's busiest when it's warm. In early May, when we had all that good weather, there were loads of individuals.

'I know it troubles others however it does not really trouble me. I simply think, 'Live and let live'. Life's too short.'

But one instance of an over-confident tourist saw him acquire a bill worth countless pounds.

He stated: 'I have actually had actually the tiles harmed from women in high heels leaping on the actions.

'That's a bit bothersome - 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 best shot with some even undergoing multiple attire modifications

But he insisted he would never wander off from the renowned colour: 'It was pink when I moved in back in 1978 so it becomes part of your home. I'm not altering it. It will constantly be pink.'

Meanwhile, some Notting Hill homeowners have actually grown fed up of the photoshoots taking place in front of their well-known vibrant houses and have painted them black in a bid to stop the 'rude' tourists.

Homeowners on - located just metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are continuously swamped with individuals taking images in front of their residential or commercial properties.

They claim influencers stand right outside their doors to get the ideal shot.

It's declared that brazen tourists will also delight in lunch break picnics on their doorsteps and frequently peer through their windows 'forgetting that people in fact live there'.

A cyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was just recently spotted yelling, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are normal homes.'

Two houses on the road have actually now ditched their previous intense 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 now they have joined forces with their neighbour.

A 'peaceful zone' sign has 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 dumped their previous intense 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 searched in 2022

Mike, who lives in a turquoise flat, told Metro the noise 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 irritating than anything else is just 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 resident, who did not desire 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 back as we all agree that black homes don't look good on social media.

'I comprehend why people take photos - because of how it looks - but it simply gets so jam-packed.

'We can have hundreds of people on the street at the same time and it's a domestic road - we're not able to accommodate tourists.

'I think people simply forget that people live here. So the hope with painting your houses black is that tourists will unwind a bit. It's been working a little bit so far, to be fair.'

The homeowner stated he didn't anticipate the staying houses on the street to also ditch their vibrant paint however said it might be needed if the problem continues.

Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are continuously overloaded with individuals taking images in front of their residential or commercial properties

Tourists taking pictures on Lancaster roadway where Notting Hill homeowners paint famous vibrant homes black in bid to put off influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'

Notting Hill residents have paint their vibrant 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 actually been to 'get rid of the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

He stated: 'We undoubtedly want our neighbours to do whatever they want, but if this does not work, and all of us need to go one colour to get it to stop, then hopefully as a street we can join together and do that.'

Another local, who also wanted to be anonymous, said: 'My family moved in about a month back and the previous owner painted it black simply before since they were fed-up with how lots of individuals stop out front.

'It gets crazy. People get on the steps and take loads of pictures. On the weekends, there can be hundreds of individuals.

'It's not Londoners, it's mainly travelers. But it simply gets difficult. I know my parents hate it.

'The hope with the black homes is that it's less picturesque. They essentially desire to bring in less attention.'

A homeowner in the third black home did not want to talk today discussing that the point of the colour modification had been to 'get rid of the attention' and 'not draw more individuals here'.

Two tourists who were on Lancaster Road today were Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were checking out London from Australia.

They stated the decision to paint your homes black was 'a downer'.

Two tourists Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were going to London from Australia, said the choice to paint your houses black was 'a downer'

Residents are now campaigning to try and get other vibrant residential or commercial properties on the street to do the same

A letter circulated amongst homeowners prompts them to 'consider' repainting to dissuade travelers and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

They said: 'I suggest people are drawn here due to the fact that of the street being iconic and vibrant, best?

'It's a tourist area and surely tourism is great for the local economy. It's a bit of a downer to paint the homes black. We're not fans of that.

'But to be truthful, it probably won't work. If the rest are still colourful, 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 vibrant residential or commercial properties on the street to do the same.

A letter circulated amongst homeowners advises them to 'think about' repainting to discourage travelers and influencers.

Titled 'Addressing tourist effect on our street', it checks out: 'As many of you have actually seen, our area of the street has actually ended up being 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 brought on by people sitting on our stairs are beginning to take a toll on our day-to-day lives.'

The letter goes on to claim that 'disruptive tourist' has implied residents have actually dealt with 'rental obstacles' - and 'estate representatives have actually verified it is adversely impacting the rate of our residential or commercial properties'.

A 'peaceful zone' sign has actually also been installed - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has actually even strung a rope throughout their front steps

It continues: 'As a possible service, 3 families, nos [redacted] have decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to assist decrease the visual pull for travelers.

'If more of us consider collectively doing the same, we might have the ability to restore some peace and privacy to our community.'

Meanwhile, other house owners explained that they had actually previously painted their homes more neutral colours, also in the hope of ending up being less attractive to travelers and influencers.

George Hencken, who has lived in Notting Hill for 29 years, said: 'Our home used to be pink but we painted it grey around seven years ago.

'The point was to be an unphotogenic colour.

'But the important things is, and something those who have painted their homes black will quickly learn, is that even if people aren't utilizing their house 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 altering clothing on their front actions.
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'And Instagram and TikTok are having this impact all over the world. I know that there's a cafe in Japan, with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, which has actually had to close since of it.

'And throughout the years I have actually only had one tourist say to me, 'You should get so tired of it'.

'With lots of the others - there's just this sense of conceit and entitlement.'

Ms Hencken discussed that what irritated her most was that none of the travelers or influencers appeared to have any idea of Notting Hill's history.

Homeowners have actually discovered the most effective thing is putting a rope in front of his actions. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
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Lancaster Road situated just metres away 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 lot of social housing.

'They do not know the history.

'Since Richard Curtis made that stupid movie every American lender or rich guy from Switzerland who spends a few months here, when asked where they want to live, states: 'Oh, my better half likes that movie'.

'It's changing the area. Our doorsteps used to be social places. We 'd sit out here and chat to friends and neighbours.

'Today you can't do that. If you do, any random person believes they can come and sit here too.'

Another local, whose home is beige, likewise believed the colour would ward individuals off however discovered the most effective thing is placing 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 - but the most effective thing is these straps we have now.

'I know the green home has actually seen a big drop since putting theirs there.

'Because it does get ludicrous. Before, we had people presenting on our steps - which undoubtedly set my pet dog off.

'They 'd even have picnics there. It's just rude.

'With Instagrammers, it's constantly the very same type of people. You can spot them. Lots of Italians - which I can because I'm Italian.

'When it comes to the travelers, I mean, it's individuals are coming here for quite pictures instead of going someplace of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'

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