Julia Child’s Pegboard Is Back and Better Than Ever in This Green Kitchen

A recipe for staying organized.
Lydia Geisel Avatar

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kithcen with wood paneled walls
Photography by Derek Swalwell; Design by Kennedy Nolan

Big copper pots filled with rolling pins; paring knives lined up on magnetic strips; baking sheets conveniently stowed in a cabinet next to the oven—these were a few of Julia Child’s tricks for staying organized in the kitchen. Of course, her most well-known solution is the pegboard wall, a trusty storage method that lives on today in a Melbourne kitchen designed by architecture firm Kennedy Nolan. “Julia Child appealed to the owners not just because she’s a super cook, but because she liked having things around her,” says principal designer Rachel Nolan. “She didn’t need to hide it all away.” 

True to the home’s mid-century roots, the kitchen is separated from the adjacent living and dining spaces. Instead of knocking down the walls to create an open floor plan, the architects kept the footprint as is when updating the room. “It doesn’t matter if stuff is left out,” says Nolan of the benefit of having an enclosed space. Well-worn saucepans, handy strainers, and geometric cutting boards give the walls an extra dose of personality without ever appearing messy. 

Divide in Order to Conquer 

Rather than mount one big, solid board, the architects divided the feature into three sections. The borders lend a graphic quality to the room, but they also provide additional storage. The ledges effectively double as open shelving, a place to put down little mixing bowls and spices.

Stock Up on S-Hooks

cutting board on a pegboard
Photography by Derek Swalwell; Design by Kennedy Nolan

A pegboard is about as low-tech as you can get in terms of organization. Pots and pans dangle from classic S-hooks (you know, the curved fasteners you’d usually find in a garage). “It’s a pretty universal, old-fashioned system,” says Nolan. 

Think Outside the Box

retro round vent hood
Photography by Derek Swalwell; Design by Kennedy Nolan

Spatulas and spoons that would otherwise be crammed in a drawer are suspended from a metal pole that’s attached to the bottom of the green frame. Elsewhere, magnetic strips and another small pegboard box offer easy access to knives and treasured cast-irons. 

Look to the Past

tiled outdoor bar
Photography by Derek Swalwell; Design by Kennedy Nolan

The pegboard’s dark green hue plays nicely with the prominent checkered tiles used throughout the kitchen and extends out to the alfresco breakfast bar, which can be accessed through a single-pane gas strut window. “The color combination is quite nostalgic,” explains Nolan. “It doesn’t skew too retro, but it alludes to a specific point in time.” 

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