For decades, George Clooney was Hollywood’s most notorious bachelor, a guy who loved chasing women and hanging out with his buddies and would never settle down.

But what a difference a year makes. As the first anniversary of George and Amal Clooney’s wedding approaches on Sept. 27, he’s transformed himself into the ultimate family man. “Everything’s different now,” George says. “I’m a married man.”

george and amal clooney

George and Amal at an event in Italy in September of 2014.

There may be even bigger changes in store: George and Amal are “feverishly trying to conceive,” a friend tells Closer, and they’re in the process of renovating the ideal house for their soon-to-be-growing brood — a luxurious 17th-century mansion on a four-acre island outside London. The sprawling estate on the Thames is close to Amal’s work as a London barrister as well as to her parents in Europe. “It’s the perfect place to raise a family,” the friend says. “It’s a lush, quiet retreat from central London, which is 40 miles away.”

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It feels a million miles away from George’s Hollywood roots, but the world-famous actor is happy to be leaving LA behind, for now. “Being married to Amal and living in the English countryside signals a new era for George,” says the friend. “One that will focus on family.”

george and amal clooney

George and Amal in NYC in May 2015.

Unlike his Ocean’s Eleven days, which were filled with dating supermodels and riding motorcycles with pals like Rande Gerber and Brad Pitt in LA, George’s to-do list now includes plans to add a nursery, swimming pool and theater to the $15 million, nine-bedroom, eightbathroom estate, known as The Mill House. George recently said the house will be move-in ready “by the end of summer.”

He’s not just refurbishing a home, though. The former playboy is giving his life a complete makeover, and it’s all for Amal. Says the friend, “George has never been happier.”

For more on George and Amal, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now!