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The owner of one of London's most 'Instagrammable' homes states he'll always keep it painted pink, even though the colour attracts crowds of posturing influencers.

Peter Lee, 80, states his home in Notting Hill, west London is checked out daily by people utilizing it as a backdrop for their social media pictures.

The great-grandfather has actually taken a various view to a group of disgruntled locals surviving 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 state are swarming their property street.

The former style designer, who has lived 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 - often worn just a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean against the front door.

He added that many influencers will invest whole mornings outside his home - even going through clothing changes.

Mr Lee's doorstep has actually likewise attracted stars from Made In Chelsea and a current photoshoot from a clothes giant he chose not to name.

Peter Lee, 80, is the owner of among London's a lot of 'Instagrammable' homes and states he'll always keep it painted pink, although the colour draws in hordes of influencers positioning for images

The former designer, who has actually resided in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen individuals doing the splits in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings

Notting Hill has actually become renowned for its picturesque colourful houses and has become an Instagram hotspot

Despite the consistent visitors, Mr Lee is determined that he will not change his house.

He stated: 'I don't truly mind the crowds. I have cameras so it does amuse me to simply see their shenanigans.

'Recently I looked outdoors and there was somebody having their photo taken - with 3 others queueing for their turn.

'Another time a company seemed to be having an entire photoshoot. They had a little clothing modification camping tent and whatever. They really left a lot of brand name new clothing here - tags and all. I put up an indication, stating to knock on my door to collect them.

'But when a few weeks passed and nobody concerned get them, I provided to my granddaughter.

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

'I understand it bothers others however it doesn't actually bother me. I simply believe, 'Live and let live'. Life's too brief.'

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

He stated: 'I've had the tiles damaged from females in high heels getting on the steps.

'That's a bit irritating - as I needed 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 ideal shot with some even going through several outfit modifications

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

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

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.

They declare influencers stand best outside their doors to get the perfect shot.

It's claimed that brazen tourists will likewise take pleasure in lunch break 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 just recently identified shouting, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are regular houses.'

Two houses on the roadway have actually now dropped their previous brilliant 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 but now they have joined forces with their neighbour.

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

Fed up Notting Hill have actually ditched their previous intense 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 your homes on Lancaster Road looked in 2022

Mike, who resides in a turquoise flat, told Metro the sound from tourists has actually got so bad that he has needed 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 seems like a football match.'

Fed-up Notting Hill locals paint their colourful terraced homes black to eliminate influencers

One homeowner, who did not wish to be called, stated: 'Our house was in fact originally black and the others weren't.

'But the other two decided to join us a couple months ago as we all agree that black houses do not look great on social media.

'I understand why people take pictures - because of how it looks - however it simply gets so jam-packed.

'We can have hundreds of people on the street at when and it's a residential road - we're unable to accommodate tourists.

'I believe people simply forget that individuals live here. So the hope with painting your houses black is that travelers will unwind a bit. It's been working a little bit up until now, to be reasonable.'

The homeowner said he didn't expect the remaining houses on the street to likewise ditch their vibrant paint but stated it might be essential if the problem continues.

Homeowners on Lancaster Road - situated simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - state they are constantly overloaded with people taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties

Tourists taking pictures on Lancaster roadway where Notting Hill locals paint famous colourful homes black in quote to delay influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'

Notting Hill residents have paint their vibrant homes black. Pictured: Lancaster road in 2025

A local in the third black house did not desire to talk today discussing that the point of the colour change had actually been to 'eliminate the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

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

Another citizen, who likewise wanted to be confidential, stated: 'My household moved in about a month back and the previous owner painted it black simply previously because they were fed-up with the number of people stop out front.

'It gets insane. People get on the actions and take loads of photos. On the weekends, there can be numerous people.

'It's not Londoners, it's primarily tourists. But it simply gets stressful. I understand my moms and dads hate it.

'The hope with the black homes is that it's less picturesque. They generally desire to attract less attention.'

A homeowner in the third black home did not want to talk today describing that the point of the colour modification had actually 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 checking out 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 try and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to do the same

A among house owners advises them to 'think about' repainting to prevent tourists and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025

They said: 'I mean individuals are drawn here because of the street being iconic and colourful, best?

'It's a traveler spot and undoubtedly tourist is good for the regional economy. It's a little a downer to paint your homes black. We're not fans of that.

'But to be truthful, it probably will not work. If the rest are still colourful, 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 houses'.

'It hasn't stopped us.'

Residents are now campaigning to attempt and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to follow match.

A letter flowed amongst property owners urges them to 'consider' repainting to prevent tourists and influencers.

Titled 'Addressing tourist effect on our street', it checks out: 'As a number of you have observed, our section of the street has actually become an increasingly popular area for social networks tourists, 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 resting on our stairs are starting to take a toll on our everyday lives.'

The letter goes on to claim that 'disruptive tourism' has actually suggested homeowners have dealt with 'rental challenges' - and 'estate agents have actually verified it is negatively affecting the rate of our residential or commercial properties'.

A 'peaceful zone' indication has actually likewise 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, three homes, nos [redacted] have actually decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to help in reducing the visual pull for tourists.

'If more people consider jointly doing the same, we may have the ability to restore some peace and personal privacy to our community.'

Meanwhile, other property owners described that they had actually formerly painted their houses more neutral colours, also in the hope of ending up being less enticing to tourists and influencers.

George Hencken, who has lived 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 learn, is that even if individuals aren't utilizing their house as an image background - they'll still be here.

'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their entrance, sheltering outside when it's raining, and even changing attire on their front steps.

'And Instagram and TikTok are having this result 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 have actually only had one tourist state to me, 'You should get so tired of it'.

'With lots of the others - there's simply this sense of arrogance and entitlement.'

Ms Hencken explained 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 found the most effective 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 location utilized to be a happy rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are pricey houses, but this street also has a great deal of social housing.

'They do not know the history.

'Ever since Richard Curtis made that silly film every American lender or rich guy from Switzerland who invests a few months here, when asked where they desire to live, states: 'Oh, my better half likes that movie'.

'It's changing the location. Our doorsteps utilized to be social locations. We 'd remain here and chat to good friends and neighbours.

'Now you can't do that. If you do, any random individual thinks they can come and sit here too.'

Another regional, whose home is beige, likewise thought the colour would ward individuals off however discovered the most reliable 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 effective thing is these straps we have now.

'I understand the green house has actually seen a substantial drop considering that putting theirs there.

'Because it does get absurd. Before, we had individuals presenting on our steps - which clearly set my pet off.

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

'With Instagrammers, it's always the exact same sort of individuals. You can identify them. Great deals of Italians - which I can due to the fact that I'm Italian.

'As for the travelers, I indicate, it's individuals are coming here for quite images rather of going someplace of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'

LondonMade In Chelsea
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