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Are the Bradys the most respected art collectors on television?
Carol Brady's art collection extends beyond the broken vase.
If there's one thing The Brady Bunch is known for, it's the home in which the family resides. The mid-century modern house became one of the most iconic abodes on television thanks to its shag carpet, Astroturf and decor.
But viewers fixated on the retro furniture and bathroom conundrum overlook one key component of the home — it's stuffed with art. Yes, the Brady home is filled wall-to-wall with paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Recently, Kirk Demarais wrote exhaustively about Mike and Carol's art collection, breaking down each piece and identifying the most popular trends of the era.
The Brady Bunch set used artwork and props that were recycled from other shows taped at Paramount Studios. Therefore, there probably wasn't much meaning behind the decor other than cost-effectiveness and convenience.
Another interesting note is the artwork moves around the set over the course of the show's five seasons.
If there's one piece you might recognize, it's the horse statue. For most of the series, it's placed on the bureau (next to the ill-fated vase). This popular statue on The Brady Bunch was also popular around the Paramount lot, with additional appearances on Bewitched and Mannix.
Demarais also notes the drastic change in the artwork featured in the family room. During the show's first season, natural landscape portraits adorn the wall. However, for the rest of the series, a hodgepodge of smaller drawings are in place. Those include a portrait of a Native American girl, gold-foil etchings and two Parisian street scenes. 
Kirk Demarais
Mike's office also undergoes a change during the series, with five different portraits hanging behind the architect while he works. Artwork inspired by French street scenes continues in this room, but that still doesn't explain why Mike couldn't add an extra bathroom into the house he designed. 
Kirk Demarais
Kirk Demarais
Mike and Carol weren't the only art collectors in the family. The girls' room features an assortment of cute and campy pieces that constantly change. Demarais was able to find two pieces from the shared bedroom, "Butterfly of Love" and "Electric Cat." 
Kirk Demarais
The boys of the family have an impressive collection of clown portraits in their room. The downtrodden entertainers often get lost in the mix of all the posters and paneling. But there they are, casting a shadow over the room. Who wouldn't want to wake up to this every morning?
Kirk Demarais
You can check out the full analysis of the Brady's art on the blog We Are the Mutants. You can also survey the artwork yourself on The Brady Bunch on MeTV! Check below for showtimes.
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3 Comments
The Brady Bunch (and most, if not all, other programs at Paramount) was filmed not taped. The two words are not interchangeable.