Television personality and interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has robustly defended his family's living arrangements, after some labelled their multi-generational home 'strange'.
A Full House in the Cotswolds
The 60-year-old star of Changing Rooms shares his six-bedroom Cotswolds manor with an extensive family unit. This includes his wife of 35 years, Jackie, their two adult daughters, Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, along with the daughters' husbands, Dan and Drew. The household is completed by the couple's four grandchildren: Albion, 8, Demelza, 3, Romily, 1, and Eleanora, who is 18 months old.
Laurence first revealed this unique setup publicly some time ago, sparking a mixed reaction. While some were charmed by the close-knit dynamic, others expressed surprise at the unconventional choice. The designer has now directly addressed those critics who find the situation odd.
Championing a 'Traditional' Family Model
In a recent interview, Laurence explained his perspective. "I still think a lot of people think it is a bit strange," he admitted to the Daily Mail. "But actually, it is a very kind of straightforward and instinctive way of a family being together."
He argued that the modern expectation for children to leave the family home is a relatively new concept. "It's a very, very odd idea that came out of the 20th century," he stated. "Traditionally, you stayed if you all worked on the farm together or you worked in the shop together. In a funny sort of way, we're just reviving that. It made great sense for us."
The logic for him and Jackie was simple: they live in a large property that was under-occupied. "Why do we not then bring the children and their children in with us?" he reasoned.
Making it Work: Chaos, Commitment and Romance
Naturally, managing a bustling household with three generations requires effort. Laurence acknowledged there are challenging moments where the family has to "work quite hard" to coexist harmoniously, but he believes this is true for any family structure.
Despite the daily chaos, he and Jackie have successfully kept their own romantic connection strong. The couple, who will have been together for 41 years in January 2026, celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this year.
"We were very good at making a commitment," he reflected. "In those 41 years, there have been moments where we've had to work very hard to ensure that we were still getting on, that we were still sparking off each other. I think that's something that some people are quite quick to give up on."
He offered a realistic view of a long-term partnership, stating it is "not a Disney movie" and that grumpy mornings and minor irritations are part of life. His laid-back nature, he says, pairs well with Jackie's more energised personality, and after four decades, they understand each other's rhythms completely.
Professionally, Laurence is preparing for the latest release of the architectural series he judges, House Of The Year. The show, which also features judges Jane Larmour, James Fairley and Patricia McGinnis, returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland on Monday 5 January. The grand final, where one property will be crowned the overall winner, is scheduled for broadcast on 9 February.
