Television personality and interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has publicly addressed critics who have labelled his family's living situation as 'strange'. The 60-year-old star lives in a unique, multi-generational setup with his entire immediate family under one roof.
A Manor House Full of Life
The former Changing Rooms presenter shares his six-bedroom Cotswolds manor house with his wife of 35 years, Jackie, their two adult daughters, and their families. His daughters, Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, reside there with their husbands, Dan and Drew, and their four young grandchildren: Albion, 8, Demelza, 3, Romily, 1, and Eleanora, 18 months.
Laurence sparked a mixed reaction when he first revealed this unconventional arrangement. However, he has now spoken out with a robust defence of their close-knit family unit, expressing nothing but joy about the bustling household.
Championing a 'Traditional' Family Model
In a recent interview, Llewelyn-Bowen countered the disapproval directly. "I still think a lot of people think it is a bit strange," he told 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 concept of children leaving home is a relatively recent phenomenon. "It's a very, very odd idea that came out of the 20th century," he insisted. "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."
The designer explained the practical reasoning behind the move, stating, "We live in a big house. It was very much just me and Jackie. Why do we not then bring the children and their children in with us?"
Making it Work: Romance and Reality
Naturally, managing a household of ten requires effort. Laurence admitted, "There are moments where you've got to work quite hard. But I think that happens in any family." Despite the daily chaos, he and Jackie, who have been a couple for over four decades, actively keep their romance alive.
"In January, we will basically have been together for 41 years," he shared. "We were very good at making a commitment... there have been moments where we've had to work very hard to ensure that we were still getting on." He emphasised the importance of perseverance, suggesting some people are "quite quick to give up on" such efforts.
He offered a realistic view of long-term partnership, noting, "It's not a Disney movie. You do wake up in the morning and you do feel grumpy." His laid-back nature, he says, pairs well with Jackie's more energised personality, and after 41 years, they know each other's "ins and outs" and "warning signs".
Meanwhile, Laurence is preparing for the return of his property series. House Of The Year is set to return to BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland, with the first five episodes available from Monday 5 January. The grand final, where the overall winner is crowned, will broadcast on 9 February.
