Monday, August 10, 2009

Julia Child at Home




All of you who saw "Julie and Julia" over the weekend raise your hands. It was a cute movie, although I would have enjoyed it even more had it only been about Julia Child. I swear, Meryl Streep is Julia Child, and Stanley Tucci was so fantastic that I now want a Paul Child of my own!

So, in the spirit of the movie that everyone is talking about, I thought it would be fun to see photos of Julia and Paul's former home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I must admit that I liked the Child's Paris apartment featured in the movie a bit more than their Cambridge house shown here, but, the Paris apartment did not have that famous blue pegboard wall in the kitchen!



The exterior of the gray clapboard house.


The dining room. The painting "Kunming Street Scene" was by Paul Child. Julia and Paul preferred to entertain in the kitchen rather than the dining room.


The Music Room, where recitals were often held with Julia on the piano and Paul on the violin. Again, the painting was by Paul.


The Living Room.


The Pastry Room with the Pantry beyond. Don't you love those copper casseroles?


The famous pegboard wall with Julia's pots and pans. Julia said "We rejoice in the shapes of tools."

(All images from Architectural Digest Celebrity Homes)

24 comments:

  1. Oh, I'm so jealous! I didn't get a chance to see the movie this weekend, but have to try this week! Thanks for the photos of her home -it looks very comfortable and inviting. I'd love to peruse the bookshelves in the music room as the fire crackled in the background.

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  2. "We rejoice in the shapes of tools." I, too, believe that tools of the work of one's passions are beautiful things in themselves.

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  3. I missed the movie too... LOVE the view inside the home though!

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  4. HI JENNIFER-


    Wonderful insight.
    'Pastry room'...what a wonderful concept. I have not seen one of those for some time.
    I see that the film took in $20million at the box office this weekend so there's lots of interest (the publicity was intense).
    Of course, we're interested in the interiors!
    Thanks for finding Julie Chez Elle...
    Cheers, www.thestylesaloniste.com

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  5. So wonderful. So High WASP, with the classic, comfortable furniture, the respect for tools, and the items from their travels. Kunming is a city in China, in Yunnan. Very remote...

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  6. I did not get a chance to see the movie this weekend. I have mustard colored pegboard in my studio, lined with lampshade rings and trim. Julia's husband put the pegboard up for her, lucky lady.

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  7. Can't wait to see the movie!!!

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  8. Looks like a fantastic movie. I'm going to check the Wed. matinee I think. I've seen that pegboard wall picture before- but the others are new. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. I can't wait to see this movie...but everything comes later here so I shall just have to`...xv

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  10. Fantastic. I'm going to see the movie tonight and can't wait.

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  11. I agree, I would have been just fine with the movie just being about Julia. I loved the relationship between Julia and Paul and was so glad that my husband was with me watching the movie. They were so supportive of each other. I am looking forward to watching it again.

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  12. I am so happy to see Julia Childs coming up recently. She really shaped the joy that we get out of food entertainment today.

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  13. I agree. Just read both books and the one by Julia is by far the most interesting. Having said that I certainly do not want to diminish the other book. Great idea and what the hey she got a movie deal. I'm looking forward to viewing the movie tomorrow. Nora Ephron is one of my favorite authors. Love her essays in "Wallflower at the Orgy".
    Marion

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  14. Is that a George Nakashima coffee table? Loved seeing the real interiors. Julia was an amazing woman! Thanks for this post.

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  15. Great Article!!! I was very happy to ready it all. thanks for the info. from http://www.insiderater.com

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  16. Love this - and that blue wall with the copper pots - jealousy!!!

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  17. Oh how wonderful! Thanks for showing us! I saw the movie Friday and loved every second of it, although I must agree that I would have enjoyed more Julia!! I am planning on buying it when it comes out on DVD so I can pause it and get a better look at that Paris kitchen and all of those wonderful copper pots! Have a great week!...Debbie

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  18. Anonymous10:30 AM

    I saw the movie last night! Yes, a movie just about Julia's life would have been just fine by me. I found myself getting tearful in several parts of the movie. She had such amdimerable, enthusiastic way of living! That we can all take a lesson from. Although it was very nice to see the "Julia Effect" on in action.
    I am a big fan of the peg board in her kitchen. Call me old fashion, but it think it's totally under ulitized!
    Best, Chris

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  19. Anonymous9:09 AM

    Saw the movie yesterday! Wonderful! I went straight to Claire's and bought myself some pearls, went home and ordered the cookbook online. I'm looking out the window at this moment, wishing the UPS guy would show up. Very fun!

    Michele

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  20. Nice to see actual photos.

    I love how in the film they transition from her kitchen in the smithsonian exhibit into the "real thing" with Julia walking through

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  21. Gosh! We were considering doing a post on Julia Child's kitchen. But then we saw a great post about it on the Hooked on Houses blog. Then, we thought maybe we'd do one on Julia's home (not just her kitchen). Lo and behold we've found your terrific post! You've got it covered!

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  22. Loved the movie; loved the photos.
    Thanks

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  23. I did see the movie! Yah for me. I love the way another woman or man can inspire one to pursue life with passion. I loved the set, the clothes and of course could not wait to run home and make something fabulous just so I could say "bon appetit!"
    pve

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  24. Hi Ive just watched the Dvd and absolutely loved it
    What a treat to see all these pictures too Thankyou fay x

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