Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen gives away estate and admits it's 'going very badly'
Changing Rooms star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, 60, has handed over his sprawling Cotswolds estate to his sons-in-law and invited the whole family to live in "Chateau LLB"
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has taken the big step of passing his Cotswolds estate over to his sons-in-law, bringing the entire family together under one roof at what he dubs "Chateau LLB". However, the 60-year-old TV personality, made famous by BBC's 90s favourite Changing Rooms, confesses that his "retirement is going very badly" as a result.
With a net worth of £8million, the father-of-two has his sights set on handing his flourishing business down to his daughters Hermione and Cecile. The delightfully eccentric grandad labels this move as "commonwealth."
Outfitted in a floral print linen suit complemented with sunglasses, Laurence said: "We've worked very hard to make the life we want. After thirty years on television, I've worked very hard to get here. With things now like us all living together and how we've split the house up, which everyone is so intrigued about, that's a decision.
"And it is a straightforward decision as far as I'm concerned. It's sharing resources with the next generation - we call it commonwealth - to me it is a very ordinary thing to do."
The design maven now savours life on his expansive property with his wife, Jackie, 60, alongside Hermione, now 27, her little ones Romily, two, and one year old Eleanora. Just beyond their verdant lawn, Cecile, aged 30, has made a home with her husband Dan and their young brood Albion, eight, and Demelza, three, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Laurence disclosed that he had to convince his lawyer he wasn't being pushed by his sons-in-law to pass on his estate. He revealed: "My son's in law, they're at the beginning of their career, they're starting to do well and that's the point, this is an opportunity for them.
"It is my sons-in-law that are rising and it gives me an opportunity to quieten down."
Yet with the revamp of 11 Bibury, a new community hub, eatery, and shop in the idyllic Cotswolds village, an undertaking he calls a high point of his professional life, Laurence finds himself energised by the transformation of a dilapidated post office.
"That doesn't seem to be happening mind you - my retirement is going very badly," he joked.
Laurence has been open about "manifesting" the life he aims for. Addressing his belief in the concept of manifestation he remarked: "I do talk a lot of b******. I know this has become a real buzz word - for me 'manifest' just means you make - you just line your ducks up to make the life you want. ".
The refurbishment of 11 Bibury is guided by Lady Anne Evans, who champions it as an "inclusive" establishment. She and Laurence present it as a counter to Soho Farmhouse, neighbours to the Beckham estate in Chipping Norton.
Laurence took a swipe at the upscale members' club, labelling it "patronising", and critiqued its superficial rural aesthetics adorned with "a metro design with a thin veneer of countryside and a couple of wellington boots thrown about."
He elaborated: "This is kind of my legacy - as well as the fact that Hermione is now running the business."
Speaking about his collaboration with Lady Anne, he said: "I've never had the opportunity to let rip before meeting this creature, so she's completely ruined me for all other clients."
He mused on his legacy, said: "There is that game that you start playing when you get to 60 which is asking yourself 'what would I like to be remembered for?' And I'm immensely proud of the reach and scope of Changing Rooms - that changed so many lives but if there's one design scheme just taken on its merits - it would definitely be this."
The chic simplicity and subdued tones of 11 Bibury evoke a sensation more akin to the South of France than the Cotswolds, a creative choice Laurence admits is intentional.
The tribute to William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement within the design is gracefully understated.
Further explaining his vision, he declared: "I want people to walk away from 11 Bibury and not feel patronised - I want them to leave and google William Morris - I want them to be empowered by the Cotswolds and not just feel they've been sold a cup of coffee, a tea towel and some fudge, patted on the head and moved on."
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