Julia Child’s Kitchen at the National Museum of American History Washington, D.C.

Julia Child’s kitchen at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History was an exhibit that I was really looking forward to checking out whilst in Washington D.C.

Having watched the movie Julie and Julia, based on a book about a woman who was obsessed with cooking from Julia Child’s recipe books and blogging about it. I think Greg and I watched this movie with his parents while we were visiting them in the Shushwaps in British Columbia (B.C.). My mom didn’t have Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but I know so many other people’s moms did. Did yours?

What is it about Julia Child’s kitchen that is so appealing to me?

Her kitchen isn’t enormous, considering how much and how elaborately she cooked. She just has everything neatly organized, and customized for her specific needs. She had the counters raised because of her height, and had multiple very good ovens/stoves that she and her husband bought, that lasted for a really long time. That’s a good lesson—create a space that works for you and buy the best major appliances you can afford. 

You can see how things are organized on peg boards on the walls—knives all together, pots and pans in one space. . .

I love this idea, even though I find it hideous—though, those shiny copper pots are nothing but beautiful.

There was a ton of information around about Julia Child’s success, including magazine covers.

Check out some more of Julia Child’s kitchen on the Smithsonian site.