Remember the famous blue door that belonged to Hugh Grant’s character in the 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill? When the movie was filmed, it actually belonged to Notting Hill writer and director Richard Curtis. After it became such a hit (the highest grossing British film to date, in fact), Curtis cleverly sold his home at a nice profit.
Here’s how it looked in the opening credits of the film:
The new owners became tired of all the attention their famous blue door received, however. It was auctioned off for charity, and a nondescript black door now stands in its place.
The narrow flat that Will Thacker (Grant) shared with his grubby Welsh roommate Spike (Rhys Ifans) in Notting Hill looked like this:
You can see the rest of the photos of the movie interiors here.
According to the London House Hound, who blogs at Brickwork: A London Property Blog, the real thing is back on the market for £2.5 million. Which means–hello!–we get to peek inside and see what was really behind that blue door.
I had heard that the real house was nothing like the one in the movie. That it was spacious, open, and bright. But even knowing that, I was still surprised by the amount of light and space here.
The real estate listing describes it as a “converted chapel with linked cottage.” To me, this is how a chapel would look if IKEA built it.
Here’s the original chapel door, which is at the back of the house, off the garden patio:
You can read all about its history at BrickWork (many thanks to the London House Hound for sending me this!). I noticed that the listing page for the home has recently been removed, so it may have already sold.
Which interior do you like better–the movie version or the real thing? To see more photos of the sets used in the Hugh Grant-Julia Roberts romantic comedy and learn more about them: Notting Hill: The House with the Blue Door.
Visit my TV/Movie Houses page for links to more photos of houses onscreen, from Something’s Gotta Give to Sex and the City.
P.S. That “surprise party” yesterday was a lot of fun. Stay tuned because I think I’ll do it again soon!
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Love the interior of this place, although not what I would have expected from the exterior! Never saw the movie–not a big Hugh Grant fan.
well I’m a complete sucker for all things London, so I’d buy it in a heartbeat. You certainly couldn’t get a better location for living London to the full. I find the interior a little cold for my tastes – although i’m sure it cost a fortune to do it up like that. My favorite bit of the entire place is the original chapel door. Such a nice touch to leave it as part of the home.
Kirsten´s last blog ..Dance It Out
Wow that house is much bigger then it seems on the outside. I thought it would be a small apartment. I have never seen the movie, but I like the real thing better then the one from the movie. It’s more spacious and looks nicer too.
The chapel door is wonderful…but other than that…I prefer the cozy film set.
: )
Julie M.
ps The courtyard is like the game “I spy with my little eye” with the pig, kitty, giraffes and uhh…was that Lenin on the wall????
Julie M.´s last blog ..Liv & Little G
WOW! It’s lovely inside. If I bought it, I’d totally paint the door blue again and would put a cardboard cut out of Hugh Grant next to it.
Mom in High Heels´s last blog ..Mmmmmm….Johnny Depp
I can picture the front door with the colomns marbleized. The interior is “much” bigger and lighted than I would have thought. Not too much on the “decor” and lack of color which leaves the house feeling cold to me. Different strokes for different folks though. I LOVE the chapel door leading to the courtyard! So romantic
Lovely in a stripped out rehab sort of way. I am hoping the original architecture was mostly gone so that they had to do that to it. If I had two-point-five I’d prefer something with a bit more original archticture left in it. However, the bust of Lenin mustn’t convey! Yes, Julie, M. that is definitely Lenin. Yikes!
Paula – Mise en scène ´s last blog ..Before it changes again for Christmas,…
WOW…i love this house…it’s so open and airy…LOVE the interior!
I cannot tell you how much more appealing it is now. Although, that roommate in the movie may be clouding my thoughts on the movie location, ick…
The Blushing Hostess´s last blog ..I laughed. Then I cried.
I love the movie version – that’s one of my all time favorites! Fun post!
christy´s last blog ..Um, look up! Holiday giveaways! And apple pie!
I like the real one best. Very cool, like a surprise inside.
Janet´s last blog ..Enjoy
Wow, that is so very different from the movie. I keep looking at the photo and wondering, what is the weird white stuff on the couch? Pieces of sheepskin?
songbirdtiff´s last blog ..Adoption- The Truth
I really can’t believe that this house is so big inside!! I love the house as it is now! However it feeled more charming in the movie!
Greet
Greet´s last blog ..Winner of my Pay It Forward Give away
It looks beautiful! I loved all the levels in the movie house although it could have been a little tidier.
This is gorgeous!! All the space is fabulous but I’m totally sold on the patio.
Lynda´s last blog ..an apple a day
Julia-I love all movies with Hugh Grant! I think I prefer the set even if it does look like a fraternity house. Love that chapel door and courtyard–Is that a PIG painted on the wall??!! Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving. Thanks for another great Monday!
susan´s last blog ..Stuffing or Dressing?
I loved that movie! I forgot I think I own that on DVD. Need to watch it again.
Amy @ Living Locurto´s last blog ..I Heart Faces – Sun Flare
This is not at all what I would expect to see behind that door…it is amazing! Love that cute little chapel door by the way.
Susan
black eyed susans kitchen´s last blog ..BLACK AND WHITE AND SILVERWARE ALLOVER
If Hugh Grant came with the purchase, I’d totally buy it. I love the original chapel door…it’s lovely. I had to laugh about the IKEA chapel thing…too funny!
Amanda @ Serenity Now´s last blog ..DIY: Simple Party Invites
I definitely love the real thing better. I even like the black door more than the blue.
Deidra´s last blog ..Advent::Almost
The movie version!! I love that part of London, love the movie and I adore blue doors! (have one on my house) I think all that contributed to me name my blog My Notting Hill. Great post! Michele
My Notting Hill´s last blog ..The Voting is On! Velvet & Linen’s Brickmaker’s Table Giveaway
It always amazes me what certain camera angles and clever production can do to make a space completely different on film. This looks nothing like I had imagined it. It’s definitely not my style but it is a pretty cool house. I would definitely vote for the movie version, though!
Sarah @ Dream In Domestic´s last blog ..Losing My Sanity to Four Cheap Chairs
I do love that movie–and I can hardly believe what’s REALLY behind that door! I would pay a lot of money just for that chapel door.
Julia, you might be interested in my post today at Imparting Grace!
Richella at Imparting Grace´s last blog ..A winner
I was so surprised by that interior – for its location close to the center of London, that is a vast amount of space. It’s certainly very attractive but I feel it could do with some warming up – right now it’s far from cozy.
Struggler´s last blog ..Seasonal candelight tips from Ethan Allen
i cannot believe that’s what inside!! hahah loved what you wrote about ikea’s chapel!!! hahaha
Lauren Liess´s last blog ..Wallpaper Stencil LOVE
Wow – I am so surprised by the inside! Thank you for sharing.
Jocelyn Stott´s last blog ..Items That Make Life Easier
Movie version. It looked more real. Why buy a house when and then mutate it out of all relation to what it truly shoud be? I live in an open plan house, but it was built in 1957 so it was INTENIONAL.
I definitely like the real life version better than the movie version. Miss the blue door though! Love the back chapel door… how charming:)
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints´s last blog ..Our Pioneer Experience & giveaway!!
Wouldn’t that be so cool to have that little chapel in your home?!
Gayle at Mountain Moma´s last blog ..Happy Thanksgiving!
Love that house! Great light and open space! And that little chapel door is precious! So cute!
Jess @ Frugal with a Flourish´s last blog ..Black Friday Roundup – Home Improvement
I loved that blue door. I think I’d have to paint it!
desiree´s last blog ..Heather Bullard Modern Vintage Finds
oh yeah, I loved that movie – great – even with that filthy bachelors pad!
Annie@A View on Design´s last blog ..Awards etc
I LOVE this movie!! I went to London in November and I had to stop by the door for a photo op. I didn’t see any for sale signs but maybe they put it up for sale after we were there. We also went to the Travel Book shop that Hugh Grant’s character owned in the movie–the place that they filmed as the shop and also the actual shop that is just down the street.
Wow for sale? Why is the blue door not included? Someone is staying there? Thanks for sharing this one! What a lovely room and a lovely place!