Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has fired back at critics questioning his unconventional living setup with wife Jackie, revealing the candid secret behind their rock-solid four-decade marriage: deliberate space and zero pretence. The flamboyant interior designer, known for his dramatic Changing Rooms makeovers and larger-than-life TV persona, admits their separate residences—his gothic manor in the Cotswolds and her Georgian townhouse nearby—raise eyebrows, but insists it's the glue holding their union together after 40 years.
Defending the 'his-and-hers' homes
Llewelyn-Bowen and Jackie, married since 1981, opted for "his house, her house" about a decade ago, living just six miles apart yet maintaining fiercely independent domains. He revels in his "Dracula's castle" filled with velvet drapes and taxidermy, while she prefers a calmer, clutter-free haven. Detractors online label it "weird" or "a marriage in name only," prompting Laurence to quip: "Darling, if it works, flaunt it. We've cracked the code while others divorce over sock drawers."
The arrangement stemmed from practical evolution: their three children grown, careers pulling in different directions, and a mutual love of personal style without compromise. Weekends and holidays unite them seamlessly, proving proximity isn't the yardstick of love.
Secret to 40 years of wedded bliss
Laurence attributes their endurance to brutal honesty and prioritising joy over tradition. "We don't do beige compromise," he declares, crediting Jackie's tolerance of his maximalist chaos with keeping sparks alive. No daily cohabitation drudgery means every reunion feels fresh—no bickering over thermostats or TV remotes. They share passions like travel and family dos, but cherish solo time: her gardening, his antique hunts.
He dismisses modern therapy-speak, saying their pact is simple: "Call out nonsense early, laugh often, and never stay where you're unhappy." Amid celebrity split headlines, their model challenges the "together 24/7" myth, showing long-term love thrives on autonomy.
Critics versus colourful reality
Social media trolls brand their setup "unromantic" or "fake," but Laurence laughs it off: "I've redecorated Windsor Castle—your opinions are so last season." Jackie echoes the defiance, telling friends it's freed her from "peacocking overload." Supporters hail it as aspirational, especially for empty-nesters eyeing similar splits without divorce.
As Laurence preps a new TV series, he and Jackie embody defiant domesticity: proof that four decades isn't luck, but a velvet-gloved blueprint blending fierce independence with unwavering commitment.
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