The owner of a vibrantly coloured London home, which has become a hotspot for Instagram enthusiasts, has vowed to maintain its distinctive pink hue despite the influx of social media personalities flocking to his doorstep for photos. Peter Lee, an 80 year old resident of Notting Hill, west London, finds the daily parade of influencers using his home as a backdrop for their online content to be quite entertaining.
While some locals on nearby Lancaster Road have opted to paint their formerly colourful houses black in an effort to deter the swarms of social media enthusiasts, Mr Lee is resolute in his decision to keep his home’s bright pink colour. In fact, he is currently in the process of having it repainted.
Having lived in his home for 47 years, the former fashion designer has grown accustomed to the attention, often witnessing individuals performing acrobatic stunts, such as splits on his steps or balancing acts on his railings, all in pursuit of the perfect shot. Others, sometimes clad in minimal attire, brazenly enter his property to pose against his front door.
Mr Lee noted that numerous influencers spend entire mornings outside his residence, often undergoing multiple outfit changes. His home has even become a sought-after location for commercial photoshoots, with a prominent clothing brand and stars from the reality TV show Made In Chelsea having recently paid visits.
Despite the commotion, Mr Lee remains steadfast in his decision not to alter his home’s appearance, as he finds the photo-taking antics of these enthusiasts to be thoroughly “amusing”. He revealed: “I don’t really mind the crowds. I have cameras so it does amuse me to just watch their antics. Recently I looked outside and there was someone having their photo taken – with three others queueing for their turn. Another time a company seemed to be having a whole photoshoot. They had a little outfit change tent and everything.
“They actually left a bunch of brand new clothes here – tags and all. I put up a sign, saying to knock on my door to collect them. But when a few weeks went by and no one came to get them, I gave them to my granddaughter.
“It’s busiest when it’s sunny. In early May, when we had all that good weather, there were loads of people. I chat to some of them. They’re usually friendly. I know it bothers others but it doesn’t really bother me. I just think, ‘Live and let live’. Life’s too short.” The solitary grievance Mr Lee has encountered relates to when his tiles started to crack, which he suspects was the result of women wearing high heels.
Speaking of past troubles, he recounted how this issue resulted in a considerable expense for repairs, amounting to thousands. He shared his frustration: “I’ve had the tiles damaged from women in high heels jumping on the steps. That’s a bit annoying – as I had to pay to have them fixed. But that’s been my only issue really.”
Despite hearing about neighbours who’ve opted for a darker hue, Mr Lee remains committed to his distinctive pink shade, a legacy since his arrival at the home in 1978. He asserted resolutely: “It was pink when I moved in back in 1978 so it’s part of the house. I’m not changing it. It will always be pink.”
Mr Lee, the former owner of Ossie Clark Ltd. —a clothing brand originated by the namesake designer who tragically met his end in 1996—claims a steadfast attachment to the distinctive hue. Having taken the reins of the company back in 1978, coinciding with the year he moved into his now-iconic property, Mr Lee stepped down from the business world two decades ago.
He observes that the influencers began flocking outside his doorstep as soon as smartphones were fitted with cameras, noting a particular surge in their numbers over recent years.