Notting Hill's Top Selfie Spot is my home - i won't Paint It Black
The owner of among London's most 'Instagrammable' homes says he'll always keep it painted pink, even though the colour draws in crowds of posturing influencers.
Peter Lee, 80, says his home in Notting Hill, west London is checked out daily by individuals utilizing it as a background for their social networks photos.
engelvoelkers.com
The great-grandfather has actually taken a various view to a group of dissatisfied residents living on Lancaster Road, famed for it's vibrant homes, just 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 former style designer, who has resided in his home for 47 years, said he's seen individuals doing the splits in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings.
Others - sometimes worn simply a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean against the front door.
He included that numerous influencers will spend whole early mornings outside his home - even undergoing attire changes.
Mr Lee's doorstep has actually 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 among London's a lot of 'Instagrammable' homes and says he'll constantly keep it painted pink, although the colour brings in hordes of influencers posing for photos
The former fashion designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, said he's seen people doing the divides in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings
Notting Hill has ended up being renowned for its picturesque vibrant houses and has become an Instagram hotspot
Despite the continuous visitors, Mr Lee is adamant that he won't change his home.
He stated: 'I don't truly mind the crowds. I have electronic cameras so it does amuse me to just enjoy their shenanigans.
'Recently I looked outdoors and there was someone having their picture taken - with three others queueing for their turn.
'Another time a business seemed to be having a whole photoshoot. They had a little clothing modification camping tent and whatever. They really left a lot of brand new clothes here - tags and all. I set up an indication, saying to knock on my door to gather them.
'But when a couple of weeks went by and no one came to get them, I provided to my granddaughter.
'It's busiest when it's bright. In early May, when we had all that great weather condition, there were loads of individuals.
'I know it bothers others however it doesn't truly bother me. I simply think, 'Live and let live'. Life's too short.'
But one circumstances of an over-confident traveler saw him rack up an expense worth thousands of pounds.
He said: 'I have actually had actually the tiles harmed from females in high heels leaping on the steps.
'That's a bit annoying - as I had to pay to have them fixed. But that's been my only concern really.'
They claim influencers stand right outside their doors to get the best shot with some even going through several outfit 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 belongs to your house. I'm not altering it. It will constantly be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill citizens have actually grown fed up of the photoshoots occurring in front of their famous vibrant houses and have painted them black in a quote to stop the 'impolite' travelers.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres away from Portobello Road Market in - state they are constantly swamped with people 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 claimed that brazen travelers will also take pleasure in lunchtime picnics on their doorsteps and often peer through their windows 'forgetting that people really live there'.
A cyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was recently spotted screaming, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are regular homes.'
Two homes on the roadway have actually now dropped their previous brilliant 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 today they have joined forces with their neighbour.
A 'peaceful zone' sign has actually likewise been set up - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has even strung a rope across their front actions.
Fed up Notting Hill have ditched their previous bright 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 houses on Lancaster Road looked in 2022
Mike, who lives in a turquoise flat, informed Metro the noise from tourists has got so bad that he has needed to move his meditation classes to the back of his home.
He stated: 'What is more irritating than anything else is simply sound. Tourists work at a various 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 eliminate influencers
One citizen, who did not wish to be called, stated: 'Our house was actually initially black and the others weren't.
'But the other two chose to join us a couple months ago as we all concur that black homes don't look great on social networks.
'I understand why individuals take pictures - due to the fact that of how it looks - however it simply gets so jam-packed.
'We can have hundreds of individuals on the street at the same time and it's a property roadway - we're unable to cater to tourists.
'I believe individuals just forget that people live here. So the hope with painting your homes black is that tourists will relax a bit. It's been working a bit so far, to be fair.'
The citizen stated he didn't anticipate the remaining houses on the street to also ditch their vibrant paint however said it might be necessary if the issue continues.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are constantly swamped with people taking images in front of their residential or commercial properties
Tourists taking pictures on Lancaster roadway where Notting Hill citizens paint famous vibrant houses black in quote to put off influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill homeowners have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster road in 2025
A resident in the 3rd black home did not desire to talk today explaining that the point of the colour change had been to 'eliminate the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He stated: 'We undoubtedly want our neighbours to do whatever they desire, however if this doesn't work, and we all need to go one colour to get it to stop, then hopefully as a street we can collaborate and do that.'
Another resident, who likewise wished to be confidential, said: 'My household relocated about a month back and the previous owner painted it black right before since they were fed-up with how many people stop out front.
'It gets crazy. 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 generally tourists. But it simply gets demanding. I understand my parents hate it.
'The hope with the black houses is that it's less picturesque. They generally want to attract less attention.'
A resident in the 3rd black home did not wish to talk today explaining that the point of the colour change had actually 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 checking out London from Australia.
They stated the choice to paint your houses black was 'a downer'.
Two tourists Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were visiting London from Australia, stated the choice to paint the 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 flowed among property owners urges them to 'consider' repainting to prevent travelers and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They said: 'I mean individuals are drawn here since of the street being renowned and colourful, ideal?
'It's a tourist spot and surely tourist is excellent for the local economy. It's a bit of a downer to paint your houses black. We're not fans of that.
'But to be honest, it probably will not 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 vibrant residential or commercial properties on the street to follow fit.
A letter flowed amongst property owners urges them to 'think about' repainting to prevent travelers and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing tourist effect on our street', it checks out: 'As numerous of you have actually noticed, our area of the street has actually become an increasingly popular spot for social networks tourists, drawn by the lively colours of our homes.
'While it's terrific to see appreciation for our street, the consistent crowds, sound, litter and absence of personal privacy triggered by people sitting on our stairs are starting to take a toll on our every day lives.'
The letter goes on to declare that 'disruptive tourism' has indicated homeowners have dealt with 'rental challenges' - and 'estate agents have validated it is negatively affecting the price of our residential or commercial properties'.
A 'peaceful zone' indication has likewise been installed - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has actually even strung a rope throughout their front actions
It continues: 'As a possible service, 3 households, nos [redacted] have decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to help in reducing the visual pull for tourists.
'If more of us consider collectively doing the very same, we may have the ability to restore some peace and privacy to our community.'
Meanwhile, other homeowners discussed 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 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 painted their homes black will soon learn, 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, sheltering outside when it's drizzling, and even altering 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 since of it.
'And for many years I have actually just had one tourist say to me, 'You need to get so tired of it'.
'With lots of the others - there's just this sense of arrogance and privilege.'
Ms Hencken discussed that what frustrated her most was that none of the tourists or influencers appeared to have any concept of Notting Hill's history.
Homeowners have actually discovered the most efficient thing is putting a rope in front of his actions. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Lancaster Road located just metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London
She stated: 'This area utilized to be a happy rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are expensive homes, but this street likewise has a lot of social housing.
'They do not understand the history.
'Since Richard Curtis made that stupid movie every American lender or rich guy from Switzerland who spends a couple of months here, when asked where they wish to live, says: 'Oh, my spouse likes that movie'.
'It's altering the area. Our doorsteps used to be social locations. We 'd sit out here and chat to good friends and neighbours.
'But now you can't do that. If you do, any random person believes they can come and sit here too.'
Another regional, whose home is beige, likewise thought the colour would ward people off however discovered the most effective thing is placing a rope in front of his steps.
He stated: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as some of the more vibrant ones - but the most reliable thing is these straps we have now.
'I understand the green house has actually seen a big drop given that putting theirs there.
'Because it does get ludicrous. Before, we had individuals posing on our actions - which undoubtedly set my dog off.
'They 'd even have picnics there. It's simply impolite.
'With Instagrammers, it's constantly the exact same type of individuals. You can spot them. Lots of Italians - which I can due to the fact that I'm Italian.
'When it comes to the tourists, I indicate, it's individuals are coming here for quite pictures instead of going someplace of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'
LondonMade In Chelsea