Our Second Domestic Couple Job – Life in London

After a short break from domestic service, and with a glowing reference from Sir Robert at Allington Castle, Kirsten and I found our second role as a domestic couple in London's Mayfair district. From September 2012 to April 2015, we worked for a UK businessman. We were the first staff hired after he purchased the property, initially tasked with deep cleaning and preparing the house as a residence before his family moved in. 

The property was reported in the press for its colossal size of 43,000 square feet. Its grand ballroom was used as a venue for regular charity events. These high-profile occasions required precise planning and coordination involving additional staff from the principal’s other residences. Working on these events taught us invaluable skills in front-of-house, organisation, and teamwork. Meeting royalty and celebrities was surreal, offering us a glimpse into a world far removed from our own. 

Our live-in accommodation was in our own wing in a neighbouring five-storey house connected to the main property by a long underground tunnel.

My duties included front-of-house responsibilities, chauffeuring, and maintaining the seven-storey mansion, while Kirsten managed the interior and ensured everything ran smoothly. We also maintained two additional properties in the principal’s portfolio. One really enjoyable responsibility for us was creating seasonal flower box displays. Kirsten and I would start our day at dawn to visit the New Covent Garden Flower Market in Vauxhall. The resulting displays became a trendsetter on the street, sparking fierce competition among neighbouring embassies and businesses.

The block was an incredible location to live and work, surrounded by embassies. The nearby restaurants, the Curzon cinema, and the West End parks were highlights during our downtime. Initially, we were the only live-in staff, working long hours when the family was in residence. During charity events and later, with the addition of Tom to our team, we worked alongside visiting live-in staff from the principal’s other properties. Tom quickly became like family, adding a sense of camaraderie within the household. Some friendly competition occasionally arose among staff from the various residences, and we were firmly convinced our property outshone the others in both grandeur and organisation.

We left the position due to lengthy planned refurbishments, taking with us valuable skills, fond memories, and a strong reference, which read:

"Craig and Kirsten work well with all other employees. They are both loyal, genuine individuals who treated me, my family, and my guests with the utmost respect. They would be an asset to any other family/employer."