Pretend Client: Julia Child’s Modern Day Kitchen
While trying to think of a blog topic today, some of the girls in the office were discussing the new HBO Max show Julia – and that, combined with own kitchen renovation, led me to think, why not make Julia my next “Pretend Client” and design an updated kitchen for her? I figured maybe Julia would be down with an induction range since it’s not only greener but also more responsive than gas (so I’m told). Also – spoiler alert – this is the exact range I’m using in my renovation, already on order- EEEEKKKK. Secondly, I’ve been loving the resurgence of checkerboard ceramic tile backsplashes, and it just so happens my old pal and former studio-mate Jill Rosenwald just launched a collection featuring just that with AKDO! We’re going to do this pattern shown in our office kitchen here in Wellesley too. So lots of overlap here :)
I tried to pull some of the colors from Julia’s original Cambridge kitchen, as well as features like using a dining table instead of an island and using a tiny fleur de lis wallpaper in her pantry that mimics the pattern shown on the original copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
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Gorgeous! I want this kitchen (and would even be willing to learn French cooking to have it, ha!)
so creative must be hard to continuously come up with new content
ll
We visited Julia’s wonderful kitchen & exhibiti the Smithsonian American History Museum tiday.
I think what you’ve selected is beautiful, but I suspect Julia would like a dual fuel range so she would have gas in the cooktop!
PSA: I have that faucet in Polished Nickel and Rohl has had to replace parts 3 times already.
The sprayer hose leaks (replaced twice), and the sprayer itself has broken.
I think Julia would love your selections. The range is impressive!! Very beautiful. My cooking ability/interest isn’t up to that level, but my husband would love it.
VERY clever!
That range is everything–can’t wait to see your kitchen come to life! Induction is the way to go, I am sure Julia would see the good sense in that.
So beautiful! If Julie doesn’t want that kitchen, I do!
Sorry to be a killjoy, but those beautiful tin-lined copper pans would not not work on the induction stove. Would Julia use a stove where her extensive collection of cookware wouldn’t work?
Love the series, LOVE the range, espcially in that color. Always loved the idea of a dining table vs. an island.
Too bad those copper pans won’t work on the induction range :). But this is darling. Makes me want that backsplash.
They do work on induction ranges….
The description says “ideal for gas and electric cooktops.” There are some copper pans that have a magnetic bottom – du buyer makes one – but generally copper doesn’t work on induction, and Mauviel doesn’t make any that do. They recommend using an adapter like this:
https://mauviel-usa.com/products/m-plus-interface-disc-for-induction-cooking?variant=32878866300981
We just finished the Julia series and we loved it!! So many references to Boston. She was an amazing women who had to overcome so much!!
Well, I adore this and I think Julia would too. Maybe she could just put the full baking sheets in the wall oven instead, because that range is the bomb! Love those Mark Sikes chairs for Anthro – Wowsa. Love that whole collection.
I love that range and have debated buying one myself – curious if it bothers you that you can’t fit a standard half sheet pan in the oven? That is what has been holding me back as I use sheet pans constantly.
We rented a house for a month with this exact range. It was a nightmare and can’t get over wby everyone likes it so much. Hard to dial in the right temps on top, and because the doors swing outwards, if you’re pulling something hot out of the oven, then can swing back and burn your arms if you have your hands full. It’s also on the smallish side. Do yourself a favor and get a Kitchen Aid 48 inch range. You’ll be so much happier (and will save a lot of $$$). People just buy these because they think they look good.
Cornue makes two series of ranges and this is the cheaper version which I don’t think compares to the original. The Chateau line is very different. I have owned a Chateau 90 (single large oven) for 15 years. The oven door is like a safe, and swings down. It a wonderful stove.
Okay, that might be a sticking point for Julia Child as well. Otherwise, I think she’d be thrilled with the kitchen you designed for her.
Am loving your fantasy clients.