As many of you know, The Smithsonian's Museum of American History in DC is home to the reassembled kitchen of Julia Child, the master chef who demystified French cuisine for the common cook. There is a wealth of kitchen design knowledge to be gleaned from a space where function and comfort went hand in hand, so we've compiled a list of what we've learned from the pro and what you'll need for a Child-style kitchen for your own home...
1. Pegboard Storage. Julia's husband, Paul, hung a wall of pegboards for various kitchen utensils and pots and pans. He also traced outlines of her pots and pans onto the pegboard so that she'd instantly know where to return them after cooking and clean-up. In a modern kitchen, the outline — black lines on a white pegboard or vice versa — would make a crisp graphic statement. Any local hardware store will supply and cut a pegboard to your liking. While you're there, pick up some spray paint to customize the color.
We loved this updated version that we spotted on TheKitchn. The subtle tone on tone pan outlines are fabulous.
2. Good Lighting. Each work space has adequate task lighting, often wall-mounted. IKEA's ISFALL plug in light is an easy, flexible option for under $20.
3. Store Items Where They Are Used. Commonly used ingredients like oil and vinegar are kept next to the stove, cutting down on the time needed to gather them while cooking. The sleek lines of Crate & Barrel's Oil/Vinegar Cruets are a practical and stylish option for your counter. She stored some knives in a block, but stored the most commonly used knives on a magnetic knife strip above the spot where she did most of her chopping. We've been pleased with the heavy-duty magnetic strip we found at Target.
4. Simple, Accessible Storage for Large Items. Rather than stacking baking sheets under a mound of heavy, bulkier items, Julia stored them vertically in slotted racks next to the dishwasher. You can easily install a few rows of wooden dowels from a hardware store to create your own vertical storage or use a pre-made version like this one from amazon
Go check it out yourself, and tell us what you've learned!
(Images: 1:onlyv's photostream via flickr, 2: WBUR.ORG, 3: Via Nibsblog, 4,5: afagen's photostream via flickr ,6: Wikipedia)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
That blackboard quote and pic is truly inspiring. I'm gonna print it, laminate it and make a magnet for my fridge.
Is there a larger print-friendly version of it?
view teeze's profile
I like that the door molding matches the cabinets.
I have a friend who did the pegboard thing - I plan to. Her advice, give it a few months before you actually draw the outlines. You will invariably want/need to rearrange some stuff.
view feathers's profile
I like how she mounted artwork right on the fronts of the cabinets. Why the heck not?
view heather77's profile
now that is a kitchen.
view LoriSF's profile
This was my favourite part of the Smithsonian. I stood there forever, just feeling how she used the kitchen. One of my favourite kitchens of all-time.
view mschatelaine's profile
Her biography My Life In France is amazing. It makes seeing this kitchen all the more personal.
view Seaside's profile
I agree about her biography. Definitely a good read. (Not that well written, but her life transcends it.)
I've also just finished My Life in France, which she co-wrote with Alex Prud'homme--another good read.
view Joan A.'s profile
The first time I saw this kitchen I actually got goose bumps! And I visit it every chance I get.
view Charlotte's profile
I LOVE that exhibit! though my friend who works at the museum said she overheard a teenager saying "who's Julia Child?"
My favorite part is that she had the countertops adjusted upward for her height.
view Christine (the one in DC)'s profile
Dear Leah,
What a great post on an American Icon! We appreciate your mention of the National Museum of American History, and I thought that perhaps you might be interested in helping us spread the word about a really cool event that NMAH is launching-- a national Star-Spangled Banner YouTube Singing Contest!
Contestants can submit a video performance of the national anthem to the Star-Spangled Banner group on YouTube. The deadline for submissions is April 13, 2009.
It would be great if you could alert your readers to this exciting contest. Here's a link to the Call for Entries if you'd like to help spread the word:
http://americanhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/sing-the-national-anthem.aspx
Thanks!
Alex
Night Kitchen Interactive on behalf of the National Museum of American History
view AlexS's profile
Thanks for highlighting Julia Child's kitchen, and the simplifying and accessible principles of design that she gastronomically presented to the everyday cook. She is so inspiring to me, and reminds me that the most intense joys can often be the simplest!
bonbonliving.com
sweetest living for your family
view txranchgirl's profile
simply delicious! Cant wait to check out the Smithsonian exhibit and see the new movie Julie and Julia
She was truly an American treasure and we all borrow from both her practical layout of the kitchen and her teaching us the art of (french) cooking!
Thanks for this post!
view Peter knockstead's profile
Julia was was the ultimate American treasure. I remember meeting her as a child in Chicago. My mother telling me Julia was a famous television French chef. Julia commented on my beautiful blue eyes. I replied back telling her she had beautiful hair and shoes. Julia let out a huge laugh and told me she loved a charming young gentleman. I remember watching her cooking shows in the 1970's and I bought my first copper crepe pan at an estate tag sale. I could hardly wait to try making my first crepe at ten years old.
view Fineartdoc's profile