A member of Britain’s famous brewing dynasty has triggered heated debate among residents after painting her Victorian terrace home a vibrant bubblegum pink, transforming it into what critics call a real-world “Barbie mansion.”
Lady Mary Charteris, granddaughter of Jonathan Guinness and descendant of the legendary brewing family, painted the five-bedroom property she shares with musician husband Robbie Furze and their daughter Wilde in an unmissable shade of pink. The home sits in Kensal Rise, northwest London—the leafy neighbourhood that served as the filming location for BBC comedy series Motherland.
While the transformation fulfilled Lady Mary’s longtime design fantasy, it hasn’t won universal approval from neighbours accustomed to traditional red-brick facades lining their tree-shaded street.
Local reactions range from outraged to amused. One frustrated resident dismissed the colourful exterior as hideous, complaining it resembles something from a children’s movie about fashion dolls. Another questioned whether Lady Mary understood the area’s character, emphasising that it is a traditional neighbourhood as opposed to the more bohemian Notting Hill district.
The vocal criticism reflects tension between the vibrant aesthetic and the street’s conventional architectural palette, where most homes retain their original red brick appearance.
Lady Mary previously revealed her ambition to paint the exterior pink while discussing the home’s interior design in media interviews. She credited an interior designer with giving her confidence to embrace bold colour choices throughout the £2 million property, including pink, blue, and green walls and ceilings inside.
The former socialite, who once sported pink hair herself, joked that her husband’s acceptance of the colour scheme makes sense given his band’s name—The Big Pink.
Legal standing
Importantly, Lady Mary hasn’t violated any planning regulations with her eye-catching colour choice. The mid-terrace home’s transformation required no special permissions, meaning neighbours have no legal recourse despite their aesthetic objections.
This technical compliance hasn’t satisfied everyone in the area, although some residents have defended the homeowner’s creative expression.
Not all neighbours oppose the change. One resident offered measured support, acknowledging personal appreciation for the colourful addition while recognising other people’s disapproval. This defender suggested critics simply resist change and should allow individuals freedom in personalising property.
The supporter noted that, while the pink doesn’t match the traditional appearance of surrounding homes, the neighbourhood would benefit from embracing diversity rather than uniformity. Their “live and let live” philosophy contrasts sharply with complaints about disrupting the street’s visual harmony.
Family Legacy
Lady Mary descends from prominent lineages on both sides. Her father, James Charteris, holds the titles 13th Earl of Wemyss and 9th Earl of March. Her mother, Catherine Ingrid Guinness, connects her to the brewing empire through grandfather Jonathan Guinness.
The Guinness family’s dramatic history currently features in television drama House Of Guinness, which chronicles how Arthur Guinness expanded his father Sir Benjamin’s brewery in 1868, ultimately becoming Ireland’s wealthiest individual.
The pink house controversy represents a minor contemporary chapter in a family story spanning centuries of Irish business history, though it’s certainly generating more immediate neighbourhood conversation than historical brewery operations ever did.
Whether the bold colour choice becomes an accepted local landmark or remains a point of contention, Lady Mary has undeniably achieved her goal of attracting attention and creating a distinctive, memorable home.
If you are considering a dramatic change to your property’s exterior, check local planning and conservation restrictions.