Julia Child, a renowned chef, television personality, and cultural icon, had a lovely estate in Washington, D.C. Georgetown neighborhood. It was the first home she owned with her husband, Paul, a civil servant, diplomat, and artist. Today, we’ll discover a piece of American history where Julia worked on her culinary book “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” We’ll see the home’s original details and visit the iconic kitchen that inspired the talented chef to start her stunning celebrity career.
Are you curious to see what the inside of Julia Child’s Georgetown home looks like?
This house played a significant role in her culinary journey, especially as she transitioned from a cooking enthusiast to a national culinary figure.
Julia and Paul Child bought the adorable house painted in a tasty buttery yellow with a bright blue door in 1948. Julia affectionately called it her “little jewel.” First, the couple only lived there for a short time. Paul was assigned to Paris, where he worked for the USA Information Agency, so they rented another house. There, in France, Julia discovered her love of French cooking. The family returned from France in 1956 and spent much time in their Georgetown house.
This lovely three-story property sits at the end of Olive Street in Georgetown, at the edge of Rock Creek Park.
The Colonial clapboard house, which occupied 3,100 square feet, featured three bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.
Outside, it boasted a beautiful patio that complemented the heart of Georgetown. The large patio seems ideal for entertaining, growing herbs, or planting a small garden. It is fenced for extra privacy.
Julia and Paul lived in their Georgetown home from 1948 to 1959. Initially, the building needed substantial renovation. As a true chef, Julia started with the kitchen, which is one floor below the entry-level.
She installed a dishwasher and an “electric pig” or garbage disposal. Then, Mrs. Child decided she needed a new stove. Julia eventually spotted the dreamy stove at her friend’s home. Her friend was Sherman Kent, a Yale University history professor famous for his contributions to the Central Intelligence Agency.
The exquisite stove was a Garland model, a commercial gas range with six burners and a steel griddle. Julia instantly fell in love with it. She paid Kent nearly 400 dollars to take the dreamy equipment home. She even wrote in her memoir, “I loved it so much I vowed to take it to my grave!” Of course, the stove didn’t go to Julia’s grave. Now, it proudly sits in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
For more details, please check our video about Julia Child