Interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen recently opened up about the secret behind his 35-year marriage to wife Jackie.
It’s refreshingly simple, but not as easy as it sounds.
As the Changing Rooms star celebrates his 35th wedding anniversary this year, he condensed his formula for a lasting relationship into just four words.
Laurence, who recently appeared on Netflix’s Celebrity Bear Hunt, shared his reflections on marriage, family and life at home…
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen shares secret to happy marriage with his wife
The 59-year-old star first met Jackie when he was 19, and the couple have been inseparable ever since.
Together, they have raised two daughters, Cecile and Hermione. They now have four grandchildren – Albion, Demelza, Romily and Eleanora.
Reflecting on his marriage, Laurence humorously noted that while the 35th anniversary is traditionally celebrated with coral, Jackie has her own ideas.
“Although it’s known as coral, Jackie decided that every anniversary would be diamonds. Well, why wouldn’t you?” he joked to Saga last year.
When asked about the secret to their long and happy marriage, Laurence didn’t hesitate. “Yes, total and utter obedience.”
“I was only 19 when I met Jackie, but we clicked immediately,” Laurence then added.
Unconventional living arrangement
The TV star also gave fans a glimpse into his unconventional living arrangement.
The Bowens reside in a sprawling 17th-century manor near Cirencester – but it’s not just home to Laurence and Jackie. The couple have transformed the historic estate into a multi-generational family haven.
This setup allows the designer’s daughters, their partners and grandchildren to live nearby while maintaining their own space.
Outrageous Homes
Later this year, Laurence will be back with another series of his Channel 4 show Outrageous Homes.
Excited to be bringing the series back, Laurence said: “When I filmed the first episode of Changing Rooms 28 years ago, I suspected that this nation wasn’t actually the aesthetic bland-scape it appeared to be and now, with Outrageous Homes Season Deux (The Glampire Strikes Back) I’ll be up to the armpits in weird.
“Homeowners who dare to be different are the beating heart of this celebratory telly feast and I can’t wait to spend time with yet more carbon-based lifeforms who will never be afraid of living life THEIR way,” he added.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has taken a swipe at Stacey Solomon‘s Pickle Cottage home.
The interior designer has never been backwards in coming forwards when it comes to his opinions.
And now he’s told Stacey: ‘Lock me in Pickle Cottage and I’ll show you real interiors.’
Laurence, who shot to fame many moons ago on Changing Rooms, is an interior designer with a flamboyant flair.
And, speaking to Closer, it seems he wants to bring some of that to Stacey’s family home.
Not that she’s asked for his help, of course…
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen in Stacey Solomon swipe
First of all, he took a swipe at her show, Sort Your Life Out.
He said: “That’s not design, is it? That’s someone folding people’s underpants.”
Laurence then went in on Stacey’s interiors. After saying he’d love to makeover Harry Styles’ home, he turned his attention to our Stace.
“Actually, why don’t you lock me in Stacey Solomon’s Pickle Cottage, and I’ll show her what real interiors look like. I could be the creature that drags Stacey Solomon away from folding knickers and painting everything grey!” he then said.
Stacey shares Pickle Cottage with husband Joe Swash and their family – Stacey’s son’s Leighton and Zachary, Joe’s son Harry, and the couple’s kids Rex, Rose and Belle.
The star is a huge favourite with her fans as a result of her down-to-earth nature and her economical home improvement ideas. So we’re not entirely sure she’ll welcome (or need) Laurence’s input at Pickle Cottage.
‘I’ve been taken out of the crypt and revived’
However, blowing his own trumpet after appearing on Celebrity Bear Hunt, and with a new design show announced, Laurence is loving his revival.
“It’s like I’m having my own little mini-Renaissance. I’ve been taken out of the crypt and revived,” he then quipped.
Something tells us the likes of Stacey Solomon will wish Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen stayed buried…
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