Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has never been one to do things the “normal” way — and he isn’t about to start now.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has hit back at critics who think his unconventional living situation is ‘strange’ (pictured with his wife Jackie)
The flamboyant interior designer, 60, has responded to critics who branded his living arrangement “strange” after he revealed that his entire family now live together under one roof.
Laurence set tongues wagging when he first announced the unusual arrangement that the family would be living all under one roof at his six bedroom Cotswolds manor house
At his sprawling six-bedroom Cotswolds manor house, Laurence shares his life with wife Jackie, daughters Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, their husbands Dan and Drew, plus four grandchildren — Albion, eight, Demelza, three, Romily, one, and baby Eleanora, just 18 months old.
Laurence lives with Jackie, their two grown-up daughters, Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, and their husbands Dan and Drew – as well as their four grandchildren
When he first announced that all ten of them were moving in together, eyebrows were raised nationwide. But in an exclusive interview, Laurence insists the backlash has missed the point entirely.
“I still think a lot of people think it’s strange,” he said. “But actually, it’s instinctive. It’s the most straightforward way of a family being together.”
The six bedroom property is having to be adapted to cater for the 10 of them
He believes the idea of children leaving home is a modern invention.
“That whole concept came out of the 20th century,” he explained. “Traditionally, families stayed together — you worked on the farm, you ran the shop. In a funny way, we’re just reviving that.”
Laurence also has dogs and cats who reside at the countryside home
With a house big enough to make it work, the decision felt obvious.
“Why wouldn’t we bring the kids and their children in with us?” he asked. “It was just me and Jackie rattling around this huge place.”
Of course, living cheek-by-jowl with your entire clan isn’t always plain sailing.
The sprawling property has impressive gardens
“There are moments when you have to work hard,” Laurence admitted. “It’s not a Disney movie. You wake up grumpy sometimes. Things get on your nerves. But we confront it and move on.”
Laurence is gearing up for another exciting release of his property series, House Of The Year alongside judges Jane Larmour, James Fairley and Patricia McGinnis
The manor is also home to a menagerie of dogs and cats, while the gardens stretch out across the countryside — and the house is currently being adapted to accommodate everyone comfortably.
Despite the chaos, Laurence says his four-decade romance with Jackie has never been stronger.
“In January we’ll have been together 41 years,” he said proudly. “That’s a big chunk of life.”
The couple, who celebrated 35 years of marriage this year, have endured ups and downs like anyone else — but Laurence insists commitment is everything.
“There have been moments where we’ve had to work really hard to keep the sparkle alive,” he admitted. “Some people give up too quickly.”
He added: “After 41 years you know the warning signs. You know when to be tolerant, when to step back, when to laugh it off.”
Alongside family life, Laurence is preparing for the return of BBC property favourite House Of The Year, where he judges alongside Jane Larmour, James Fairley and Patricia McGinnis.
The new series launches on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday 5 January, with the grand final airing on February 9.
“I’m incredibly proud of the show,” he said. “I was there at the very beginning in 2010, and it’s amazing to see how people are now letting their freak flags fly. Homes today are full of personality — and I love that.”
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/