Why the '70s?

While split levels can be the butt of jokes from architects and McMansion owners, most people don’t realize that the home style was derived from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie style.

Wright championed “organic” architecture, and designed his Prairie homes with alternately stacked “half-floors” to blend well with the natural landscape, and short runs of steps connecting the public and private living areas. Many split-level homes also share the Prairie home’s low-slung roofline and generous eaves.

Decorating in 1970s style feels comfortable to us, because that's when we grew up. We still listen to music of that era and there even may be a poncho or two in Lynne's closet. Late MCM furniture and art is pretty groovy. (With a house of this size and layout, some interior design styles -- Moorish, Tuscan, Grecian -- just feel silly.

Even so, we're 50 years out from the 70s now. While Wright's designs are lovely, we prefer to let our lifestyle and personal tastes dictate our home, not the other way around. So while we'll respect the design heritage of our humble abode by "upcycling" and incorporating natural materials, we'll also make sure to accommodate our interests and personal preferences. Right now, we're building an addition. While we're tryng to respect the house's lines and heritage, it's ultimately about being able to live more comfortably here. So the new room will be coastal style.

By being authentic to our own needs, we won't feel like we're living in a 1970s time capsule:


Learn more about the history of the Brady Bunch house here. A weblog devoted to all things Brady can be found here.


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