The Brady Bunch

Here is a glimpse into my mind’s eye. Growing up, the reality (top photo) and the ideal (bottom photo) only meshed when I fell into that virtual life afforded by television. We had the three major channels (some more static-prone than others) plus one strong PBS channel and another PBS channel (depending on weather conditions).

Even though I had quite a few different babysitters during my childhood - especially my brother and sisters - the main babysitter that made such a great impression was the television. La la Land. Mid-century modern, of-the-moment G-rated relationships, and the height of 70s fashion.

So - truly - I attribute my interest in becoming an architect to the impact this show had on my young brain. The grand stair with solid wood rail, open to a sunken living room! A housekeeper - live-in, typically found in the kitchen (avocado laminate cabinets and orange countertops)! Two cars - the station wagon that could hold the entire family, comfortably, and then that convertible that was purely driven by Mr. Brady. I never picked up on just how the entire plan did not make sense with the staging, but understood that Mike’s at-home office was adjacent to the master bedroom, just at the raised landing at the bottom of the stairs. And such a feel of open-space. The feel one can only get by rooms arranged on a sound stage. Oh - what a life I was destined for!

Turns out, my life turned out so much better than I could have dreamed. But it does all start with a dream. A TV dream….