Check out these Decor Ideas Inspired by Julie and Julia, a movie at the top of every foodie’s list of favorite movies!

“You are the butter to my bread, you are the breath to my life.”

This is the third Meryl Streep movie in this A2Z series, which proves that all her movies are amazing – everything she touches turns to gold!

Just like The Devil Wears Prada and It’s Complicated, Julie & Julia also features some interesting interiors, and this time we have two homes – of the chef and author Julia Child, as well as of blogger Julie Powell!

Based on a true story, the movie shifts between post-war Paris and modern-day New York, and although the settings are vastly different, there’s one thing that crosses time and space – the love for good food!

So let’s look at some of the decor ideas you can be inspired by, from both of these homes. You’ll find that they are more similar than you think!

Decor Ideas Inspired by Julie and Julia

Julia Child’s original kitchen is now at the Smithsonian Institute, and production designer Mark Ricker and set decorator Susan Bode Tyson have done their best to recreate the movie kitchen based on this. Julie’s apartment is a little studio above a pizzeria in New York, so the vibe is completely different. Yet, there are many things in common, which we’ll find out!

Hanging pots and pans

It’s interesting to note that Julia Child (the real one) had a pretty expansive apartment with a large kitchen, but still preferred all her kitchen utensils, pots and pans on display, in the open. She believed that having them visible helped to boost creativity, which was what she prioritized over aesthetics. As a result, you can see a large pegboard, hooks and copper railings with all kinds of pots and pans hanging from them.

What we love about this is that it’s perfect for a small kitchen – like Julie’s!!! Hanging items is a great way to save space in cabinets and to keep counters clear. Now you have enough space to dish up something yummy, and your favorite utensils are always accessible!

Open shelves

This goes hand-in-hand with the hanging pots and pans, with respect to keeping everything visible and accessible. Julia has open shelves everywhere in her home, including her kitchen and dining room. Seeing all those spices and condiments is sure to trigger an idea for a new dish!

This is exactly what Julie did in her tiny kitchen too, which is a great idea since open shelves create an illusion of airiness and more space. It’s also a fun way to display cute containers and cookbooks – in fact, Julie uses a large open bookshelf as a divider between the living area and kitchen.

Kitchen art

Since this movie is all about food, the kitchen is more than just a place to whip up a quick meal. It’s where Julia explores her creativity, and where Julie finds refuge from a deadend job. It’s not surprising then, that both women’s kitchens are about more than utility; they’re also places to decorate and make a part of their personalities.

Julia Child displays art on her cabinet doors, which is an excellent idea if you don’t have a lot of space on the wall. Julie, on the other hand, tries something else – she hangs up decorative plates and trays on whatever little space she has. We love both ideas, and you can even try both!!

Mix of lighting

The lighting used in the movie is quite interesting, especially when we compare Julie’s and Julia’s homes. Julia has more traditional lighting, including beautiful chandeliers, which is understandable since she lives in a lavish Parisian apartment.

On the other hand, Julie has a more eclectic mix of lighting – tall floor lamps with traditional lampshades, contemporary wall sconces and industrial-style metallic desk lamps. They all work together to create a warm, cozy atmosphere, which is ideal for a small space.

Simple furniture

Since Julie’s apartment is a tiny studio, she can’t afford to waste space on unwanted furniture or anything with too many fussy details. As a result, the furniture in her home is quite simple and basic, with clean lines and standard shapes. The dining table is a round pedestal, which is perfect for an intimate meal with friends or family. Every piece in her home serves a purpose (or two), but there’s always space for friends who drop by!

Printed furnishings

When you have a tiny space, it makes sense to keep the overall color palette light and neutral. But that can get boring fast, so Julie breaks it up with lots of printed furnishings in darker colours. This applies to everything – curtains, cushions, throws and bedding. The best part is that they don’t all need to match – a mismatched feel is what adds to the charm of the space!

Cozy environment

The best part of having a small home is that it automatically gives out a quaint, cozy feel. Julie’s home also reflects this vibe, and she makes the most of it by using fluffy, sink-in sofas with lots of cushions and throws. Her bed is also very inviting, with large, cushy pillows and soft blankets. It’s the perfect spot to wind down with your favorite book!

Interesting tiles

Both the homes featured in Julie and Julia have an interesting selection of tiles. Julia’s kitchen walls are completely covered in square white tiles, while her bathroom walls have light pink tiling. Her sink area is demarcated by patterned tiles that go perfectly with the brass taps.

Julie’s home has a chequered tile pattern on the kitchen floor – this makes it easier to separate the kitchen space from the rest of the home, especially when it’s a studio apartment. It’s also a fun detail, representing how much Julie enjoys spending time in that area.

Julie and Julia is a movie that I can watch again and again, and not only because I love Meryl Streep! The absolute love both women have towards cooking and baking, and how it becomes both a release and a way to cope with their individual disappointments, is truly inspiring and enjoyable. And we also get some cool decor inspiration on the way!

This post is a part of Blogchatter A2Z Challenge 2026.

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