Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Home Truths: and his festive faves
Interior designer, author and TV presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen lives in the Cotswolds with his wife Jackie and their three dogs.
The couple have two daughters, Cecile and Hermione, who live with their families in the same grounds as their parents.
Here, he talks us through how he spends Christmas, from his festive non-negotiables to the way him and his family spend the big day.What is your favourite time at Christmas?
What’s your non-negotiable, must-have at home at Christmas?
We spend so much time together as a unit; my kids, their husbands and my grandchildren that we are all great friends.
What part of Christmas planning do you love the best?
(Image credit: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen)
What part of Christmas planning do you dislike the most?
What smell says ‘Christmas’ to you?
I make small displays around the rooms that recreate little gardens and with the fresh air mixed in from the local countryside, it gives a wonderful smell.
I love the fact that we can be living in the depths of winter, yet my home smells of Spring!
How do you decide on what decorations go up?
We live in a home that has very low ceilings so I don’t find the Christmas tree fits in nicely as it can look squashed and stumped. I’d be more than happy just to stick with garlands, over a tree!
(Image credit: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen)
Are you a Christmas minimalist or do you prefer to go all out?
Do you have a favourite Christmas song?
Do you have any traditions at Christmas?
(Image credit: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen)
Do you host friends and family over the holidays?
Our home is full of family, friends, waifs and strays at Christmas. You won’t find less than twenty people in our home on Christmas day.
Quick fire questions with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen
(Image credit: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen)
Decorations – traditional or modern? Traditional!
Tree – real or artificial? If I had it my way it would be a fake one, but I don’t have it my way!
Presents – do you treat yourself? No way. But I do love giving gifts – the more packaging the better.
Stockings – yes or no? Yes to stockings. Always! Even for my grown up kids! Sometimes in January my wife and I may even start looking for stocking gifts. We then tend to lose them though by the time Christmas comes around.
Do your dogs get a Christmas present? Yes! My three Spaniels are part of the family.
Christmas meal – lunch time or dinner time? Always at 1pm!
Christmas turkey or something else? We never go big on the turkey. Instead we will have plates of gammon and a variety of crowned meat.
