Notting Hill's Top Selfie Spot is my home - i will not Paint It Black
The owner of among London's many 'Instagrammable' homes states he'll always keep it painted pink, even though the colour attracts crowds of posing 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 taken a various view to a group of dissatisfied residents surviving on Lancaster Road, famed for it's colourful homes, just over a mile away.
They have actually painted their houses black in the hopes of warding off selfie-loving influencers - who they say are swarming their property street.
The previous designer, who has actually lived 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 - in some cases worn simply a leotard - come onto his residential or commercial property and lean versus the front door.
He added that many influencers will invest whole mornings outside his home - even going through attire modifications.
Mr Lee's doorstep has actually likewise attracted stars from Made In Chelsea and a current photoshoot from a clothing giant he chose not to name.
Peter Lee, 80, is the owner of among London's many 'Instagrammable' homes and says he'll constantly keep it painted pink, even though the colour attracts hordes of influencers positioning for photos
The previous style designer, who has actually resided in his home for 47 years, stated he's seen people doing the splits in front of his actions - and even stabilizing on his railings
Notting Hill has become famous for its picturesque colourful homes and has ended up being an Instagram hotspot
Despite the consistent visitors, Mr Lee is adamant that he will not change his house.
He said: 'I don't actually mind the crowds. I have cameras so it does entertain me to just enjoy their antics.
'Recently I looked outdoors and there was someone having their photo 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 tent and whatever. They actually left a bunch of brand name new clothing here - tags and all. I installed an indication, stating to knock on my door to collect them.
'But when a few weeks passed and no one came to get them, I provided to my granddaughter.
'It's busiest when it's sunny. In early May, when we had all that great weather, there were loads of people.
'I know it troubles others but it does not truly bother me. I just believe, 'Live and let live'. Life's too brief.'
But one instance of an over-confident traveler saw him rack up an expense worth countless pounds.
He stated: 'I have actually had actually the tiles damaged from women in high heels leaping on the actions.
'That's a bit frustrating - as I needed to pay to have them repaired. But that's been my only concern truly.'
They declare influencers stand best outside their doors to get the best shot with some even undergoing multiple clothing modifications
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But he insisted he would never ever wander off from the iconic colour: 'It was pink when I moved in back in 1978 so it belongs to the house. I'm not changing it. It will constantly be pink.'
Meanwhile, some Notting Hill citizens have actually grown fed up of the photoshoots occurring in front of their popular colourful homes and have actually painted them black in a quote to stop the 'rude' travelers.
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Homeowners on Lancaster Road - situated simply metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are continuously swamped with people taking pictures in front of their residential or commercial properties.
They declare influencers stand ideal outside their doors to get the ideal shot.
It's declared that brazen travelers will likewise enjoy lunch break on their doorsteps and frequently peer through their windows 'forgetting that people really live there'.
A bicyclist weaving through a group of Instagram addicts was recently identified shouting, 'You are all f ** king sheep. These are typical homes.'
Two houses on the road have actually now ditched their previous brilliant 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 home and now they have joined forces with their neighbour.
A 'peaceful zone' indication has likewise 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 ditched their previous bright 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 the homes on Lancaster Road searched in 2022
Mike, who lives in a turquoise flat, told Metro the noise from tourists has actually got so bad that he has actually needed to move his meditation classes to the back of his house.
He stated: 'What is more annoying than anything else is simply sound. Tourists operate at a different volume level. There will be a group of 70 plus. It sounds like a football match.'
Fed-up Notting Hill homeowners paint their vibrant terraced homes black to eliminate influencers
One local, who did not desire to be named, said: 'Our house was in fact originally black and the others weren't.
'But the other 2 decided to join us a couple months ago as we all agree that black houses do not look good on social networks.
'I understand why individuals take photos - because of how it looks - but it just gets so packed.
'We can have numerous individuals on the street at when and it's a property road - we're unable to accommodate tourists.
'I believe individuals just forget that individuals 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 resident stated he didn't anticipate the staying houses on the street to also ditch their vibrant paint however said it may be required if the problem continues.
Homeowners on Lancaster Road - located just metres far from Portobello Road Market in west London - say they are constantly overloaded with individuals taking pictures 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 postpone influencers and stop 'disruptive overtourism'
Notting Hill residents have paint their colourful homes black. Pictured: Lancaster roadway in 2025
A local in the 3rd black home did not wish to talk today describing that the point of the colour modification had been to 'get rid of the attention'. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
He said: 'We certainly desire our neighbours to do whatever they desire, however if this does not work, and we all have to go one colour to get it to stop, then ideally as a street we can sign up with together and do that.'
Another local, who likewise wanted to be confidential, stated: 'My household relocated about a month ago and the previous owner painted it black right before because they were fed-up with the number 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 people.
'It's not Londoners, it's primarily tourists. But it just gets difficult. I understand my moms and dads dislike it.
'The hope with the black houses is that it's less picturesque. They basically wish to draw in less attention.'
A citizen in the 3rd black home did not wish to talk today discussing that the point of the colour modification had been to 'eliminate the attention' and 'not draw more people here'.
Two tourists who were on Lancaster Road today were Clancy Carroll and Georgia Densley, who were going to 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, said the decision to paint your houses black was 'a downer'
Residents are now campaigning to try and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to follow match
A letter circulated amongst house owners advises them to 'think about' repainting to prevent travelers and influencers. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
They said: 'I imply people are drawn here since of the street being renowned and colourful, ideal?
'It's a traveler area and undoubtedly tourism benefits the local economy. It's a little a downer to paint your homes black. We're not fans of that.
'But to be honest, it most likely 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 attempt and get other colourful residential or commercial properties on the street to do the same.
A letter flowed among property owners prompts them to 'consider' repainting to prevent tourists and influencers.
Titled 'Addressing traveler influence on our street', it reads: 'As many of you have actually observed, our section of the street has become a significantly popular spot for social media travelers, drawn by the lively colours of our homes.
'While it's great to see appreciation for our street, the consistent crowds, sound, litter and lack of personal privacy caused by individuals 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 meant locals have actually faced 'rental difficulties' - and 'estate representatives have validated it is adversely 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 even strung a rope throughout their front steps
It continues: 'As a possible service, 3 households, nos [redacted] have actually decided to repaint their homes this spring in more neutral tones to assist decrease the visual pull for travelers.
'If more of us consider jointly doing the same, we might be able to restore some peace and personal privacy to our community.'
Meanwhile, other property owners described that they had actually previously painted their homes more neutral colours, also in the hope of becoming less attractive to tourists 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 7 years back.
'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 individuals aren't using their home as a photo background - they'll still be here.
'They'll be having their picnic lunch in their doorway, sheltering outside when it's drizzling, and even altering outfit on their front actions.
'And Instagram and TikTok are having this impact all over the world. I know that there's a coffee shop in Japan, with a backdrop of Mount Fuji, which has needed to close due to the fact that of it.
'And over the years I've just had one traveler say to me, 'You need to get so sick of it'.
'With great deals of the others - there's just this sense of conceit and privilege.'
Ms Hencken discussed that what irritated her most was that none of the tourists or influencers seemed to have any concept of Notting Hill's history.
Homeowners have actually found the most reliable thing is putting a rope in front of his steps. Pictured: Lancaster Road in June, 2025
Lancaster Road situated just metres away from Portobello Road Market in west London
She stated: 'This location used to be a happy rebel corner in west London. Yes, there are expensive houses, but this street also has a great deal of social housing.
'They don't know the history.
'Ever considering that Richard Curtis made that dumb film every American banker or rich guy from Switzerland who invests a couple of months here, when asked where they desire to live, says: 'Oh, my other half likes that film'.
'It's altering the location. Our doorsteps used to be social locations. We 'd sit out here and chat to pals and neighbours.
'But now you can't do that. If you do, any random individual believes they can come and sit here too.'
Another regional, whose home is beige, also believed the colour would ward people off however discovered the most efficient thing is positioning a rope in front of his actions.
He said: 'Our home is beige so it's not as bad as a few of the more colourful ones - but the most effective thing is these straps we have now.
'I know the green home has seen a big drop since putting theirs there.
'Because it does get ludicrous. Before, we had individuals posturing 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 very same kind of individuals. You can find them. Great deals of Italians - which I can since I'm Italian.
'As for the tourists, I indicate, it's the people are coming here for pretty photos rather of going somewhere of note. They're not going to the British Museum.'
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