Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, the renowned interior designer, is approaching retirement while living a uniquely vibrant family life in his expansive Cotswolds manor house. At 59, Laurence shares the six-bedroom property with his wife Jackie, their two grown daughters Hermione and Cecile, their partners Dan and Drew, and their four grandchildren—Albion, 7; Demelza, 2; Romily, 1; and Eleanora, just 6 months old. This unconventional living arrangement came about when Laurence and Jackie decided they were tired of rattling around in their large home alone. To accommodate their extended family, the house has been adapted, with Cecile residing in a converted garage to maintain a degree of autonomy while still being close to the rest of the family. Every evening, the family gathers in Laurence and Jackie’s quarters for drinks, although the couple often finds themselves cleaning up afterward as the rest of the family tends to disappear when it’s time to tidy up. Despite the manor’s showroom-like appearance, it is now filled with the lively chaos of children’s toys and brightly colored plastic items, including Peppa Pig merchandise. Laurence is also working on a new reality TV show that will offer an update on their life since their initial feature in a 2008 show about their move to the country. As Laurence prepares for retirement, his daughter Hermione is stepping up to take a more active role in their design business, which is undergoing what Laurence describes as a 'Succession-style takeover.' Laurence reflects positively on their close-knit family arrangement, drawing comparisons to historical family structures and emphasizing that living closely with his children and grandchildren is both fulfilling and far from boring. He views this arrangement as a beautiful and practical way to live, reminiscent of how families used to live together in the past.
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