The owner of among London's many 'Instagrammable' homes states he'll constantly keep it painted pink, even though the colour draws in crowds of posing 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 media images.
The great-grandfather has taken a various view to a group of unhappy locals surviving on Lancaster Road, renowned for it's colourful homes, just over a mile away.
They have painted their houses black in the hopes of warding off selfie-loving influencers - who they state are swarming their domestic street.
The former designer, who has actually lived in his home for 47 years, said he's seen individuals doing the splits in front of his actions - and even balancing on his railings.
Others - sometimes dressed in simply a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean against the front door.
He added that lots of influencers will spend whole early mornings outside his home - even undergoing clothing changes.
Mr Lee's doorstep has likewise drawn in 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 one of London's many 'Instagrammable' homes and states he'll constantly keep it painted pink, even though the colour draws in hordes of influencers positioning for photos
The previous style designer, who has resided 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 ended up being renowned for its picturesque colourful houses and has actually become an Instagram hotspot
Despite the continuous visitors, Mr Lee is determined that he will not change his home.
He stated: 'I do not really mind the crowds. I have electronic cameras so it does entertain me to just see their shenanigans.
'Recently I looked outside and there was someone having their picture taken - with three others queueing for their turn.
'Another time a company seemed to be having an entire photoshoot. They had a little outfit modification tent and whatever. They really left a bunch of brand name new clothing here - tags and all. I installed an indication, saying to knock on my door to gather them.
'But when a few 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 good weather, there were loads of individuals.
'I know it bothers others but it doesn't really trouble me. I just think, 'Live and let live'. Life's too short.'
But one circumstances of an over-confident traveler saw him acquire a costs worth countless pounds.
He stated: 'I've had actually the tiles damaged from females in high heels getting on the actions.
'That's a bit irritating - as I had to pay to have them fixed. But that's been my only issue actually.'
They declare influencers stand best outside their doors to get the ideal shot with some even going through numerous outfit changes
But he insisted he would never ever stray from the renowned colour: 'It was pink when I moved in back in 1978 so it becomes part of your home. I'm not changing it. It will constantly be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill residents have actually grown fed up of the photoshoots taking place in front of their well-known colourful homes and have actually painted them black in a quote to stop the 'impolite' travelers.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located simply metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are continuously 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 claimed that brazen travelers will also take pleasure in lunchtime picnics on their doorsteps and typically peer through their windows 'forgetting that individuals really live there'.
A cyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was just recently identified yelling, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are normal houses.'
Two houses on the roadway have 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 house and now they have actually joined forces with their neighbour.
A 'peaceful zone' indication has also been put up - and one residential or commercial property even more down the street has even strung a rope throughout their front steps.
Fed up Notting Hill have actually dumped their previous intense outside - in the hopes that black walls are 'less Instagrammable' - and will therefore stop individuals coming there. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Pictured: How your houses on Lancaster Road searched in 2022
Mike, who resides in a turquoise flat, informed Metro the sound from travelers has 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 operate at a various volume level. There will be a group of 70 plus. It seems like a football match.'
Fed-up Notting Hill homeowners paint their colourful terraced homes black to get rid of influencers
One resident, who did not desire to be called, stated: 'Our home was in fact initially black and the others weren't.
'But the other two chose to join us a couple months earlier as we all agree that black homes don't look great on social networks.
'I understand why individuals take pictures - because of how it looks - but it simply gets so jam-packed.
'We can have numerous people on the street at once and it's a domestic roadway - we're unable to accommodate travelers.
'I think people just forget that individuals live here. So the hope with painting your homes black is that tourists will unwind a bit. It's been working a bit so far, to be fair.'
The homeowner said he didn't expect the remaining homes on the street to likewise ditch their vibrant paint but stated it may be necessary 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 individuals taking photos in front of their residential or commercial properties
Tourists taking pictures on Lancaster road where Notting Hill homeowners paint well-known vibrant houses black in quote to put off influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill locals have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster roadway in 2025
A resident in the third black house did not want to talk today describing that the point of the colour modification had actually been to 'eliminate the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He stated: 'We undoubtedly desire our neighbours to do whatever they desire, but if this doesn't work, and we all 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, said: 'My family moved in about a month back and the previous owner painted it black prior to since they were fed-up with how lots 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 mainly tourists. But it just gets difficult. I know my moms and dads hate it.
'The hope with the black homes is that it's less picturesque. They generally wish to attract less attention.'
A resident in the third black house did not wish 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 checking out London from Australia, said the decision to paint the houses 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 amongst house owners prompts them to 'think about' repainting to discourage tourists and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They stated: 'I imply people are drawn here because of the street being iconic and colourful, right?
'It's a traveler area and undoubtedly tourist benefits the local economy. It's a little a downer to paint the houses black. We're not fans of that.
'But to be honest, 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 follow match.
A letter flowed among house owners advises them to 'consider' repainting to discourage tourists and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing traveler influence on our street', it checks out: 'As a number of you have actually seen, our area of the street has become an increasingly popular area for social media travelers, drawn by the lively colours of our homes.
'While it's excellent to see appreciation for our street, the consistent crowds, sound, litter and lack of privacy brought on by individuals sitting on our stairs are beginning to take a toll on our lives.'
The letter goes on to claim that 'disruptive tourism' has actually indicated residents have actually dealt with 'rental obstacles' - and 'estate representatives have actually confirmed it is adversely affecting the rate of our residential or commercial properties'.
A 'quiet zone' indication has actually likewise been installed - and one residential or commercial property further down the street has even strung a rope throughout their front actions
It continues: 'As a possible option, 3 homes, nos [redacted] have decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to assist reduce the visual pull for travelers.
'If more people think about collectively doing the very same, we might be able to restore some peace and privacy to our neighborhood.'
Meanwhile, other house owners explained that they had previously painted their houses more neutral colours, likewise in the hope of becoming less enticing to travelers and influencers.
George Hencken, who has actually 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 actually painted their homes black will soon discover out, is that even if people aren't utilizing their home 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 outfit on their front actions.
'And Instagram and TikTok are having this effect all over the world. I understand that there's a cafe in Japan, with a background of Mount Fuji, which has needed to close because of it.
'And over the years I have actually only had one tourist say to me, 'You need to get so sick of it'.
'With lots of the others - there's just this sense of arrogance and privilege.'
Ms Hencken described that what frustrated her most was that none of the tourists or influencers appeared to have any idea of Notting Hill's history.
Homeowners have found the most efficient thing is placing a rope in front of his actions. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Lancaster Road located just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London
She stated: 'This area used to be a proud rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are pricey homes, however this street also has a great deal of social housing.
'They don't understand the history.
'Since Richard Curtis made that dumb movie every American banker or rich guy from Switzerland who spends a couple of months here, when asked where they wish to live, says: 'Oh, my other half likes that film'.
'It's altering the area. Our doorsteps utilized to be social locations. We 'd remain here and chat to pals and neighbours.
'Today you can't do that. If you do, any random person thinks they can come and sit here too.'
Another local, whose home is beige, also believed the colour would ward individuals off but discovered the most reliable thing is positioning a rope in front of his actions.
He stated: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as some of the more colourful ones - however the most effective thing is these straps we have now.
'I know the green home has actually seen a huge drop since putting theirs there.
'Because it does get absurd. Before, we had people posing on our steps - which obviously set my dog off.
'They 'd even have picnics there. It's simply impolite.
'With Instagrammers, it's constantly the exact same type of people. You can identify them. Great deals of Italians - which I can because I'm Italian.
'As for the travelers, I suggest, it's individuals are coming here for quite photos rather of going someplace of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'
LondonMade In Chelsea
