The Minimalist Kitchen is Dead – Julia Child’s ’60s Kitchen Shows How to Vertically Organize a Cooking Space for Function and Warmth, Rather Than Perfection

For years, minimalism dominated the kitchen discourse. Utensils were to be tucked away, leaving countertops and shelves as clear as possible to create a perfect, polished appearance. Luckily, in 2026, we’re adopting a more laid-back approach, and we’re in good company. A photograph from 1964 shows that Julia Child’s kitchen was built for function, with nearly every item needed for cooking out around the stove.

The gorgeous imagery demonstrates that The French Chef was a master of kitchen storage. Vertical space is maximized using a spice shelf, and universal pot covers hanging from S rings