Affectionately referred to by its previous resident ? renowned chef and television personality Julia Child ? as her ?little jewel,? the butter yellow clapboard house at 2706 Olive Street has been masterfully restored by current owner Rory Veevers-Carter in a manner befitting the home where Child worked on her groundbreaking culinary tome ?Mastering the Art of French Cooking.? During her ownership, Child was rumored to give cooking classes to DC?s social set ? who learned from one of the most luminous figures in food. Perched on a leafy, residential block in Georgetown, the restoration of this beautiful and historic Federal style dwelling is a love letter from Veevers-Carter to both his grandmother ? an avid watcher of Julia?s cooking shows ? and of course, to the inimitable icon herself. At the time of Child?s purchase ? her first foray as a homeowner ? 2706 Olive Street already had an illustrious, century?s old history. Built shortly after the Civil War by Edgar Moore ? a leading figure in the Black community ? the house is part of a vibrant tapestry of African American influence in Washington, DC during the Reconstruction era. The home was eventually acquired by Paul and Julia Child in 1948. During the 1970s, acclaimed architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen installed a wall of windows at the rear as part of a planned expansion, which the current owner has kept intact. After a lengthy refurbishment, the 3,275-square-foot house is restored to its former grandeur ? albeit in the contemporary vision of Veevers-Carter, an expert in home renovations. Bathed in natural light and awash in exposed bricks and beams, the multi-level residence is equipped with luxury amenities at every turn. The entry level ? which houses an expansive living room, office, foyer, working fireplace and powder room, is sun-filled ? allowing the homeowner to cultivate plenty of flora throughout the turning seasons. As you move through the space, the floating staircase leads you through the breathtaking aspects of the house. At the center of this modern marvel is the kitchen ? which pays homage to Child?s penchant for making use of the latest culinary gadgetry. Designed around the intersection of congregating and cooking, the kitchen is meant to inspire one?s inner chef. Replete with stainless steel Viking appliances, an eight-burner cooktop stove, double stacked ovens, a wooden hearth perfect for family pizza night, and a temperature-controlled wine fridge for the serious oenophile, the open kitchen is purposeful and prodigious. It also leads out to a spacious, yet private, patio area ideal for al fresco dining or flexing a green thumb. Drawing inspiration from the queen of French cooking, the kitchen is a meeting place for everyday indulgences, as well as special occasions. An evening spent feasting on boeuf bourguignon paired with a delightful red Burgundy feels reminiscent of the legendary dinner parties hosted by the Childs. As a whimsical touch, Veevers-Carter retained some of the original wall from the Julia years ? a classic conversation starter for guests. The upper level features three brightly lit bedrooms. The master bedroom features a walk-in closet with custom, built-in shelving. An en suite bathroom with a separate soaking tub and standup shower in hued white marble makes for a striking and clean appearance. A second, full bath sits adjacent to one of the secondary bedrooms. The subterranean level is meant as a sanctuary ? with a custom Hammam tiled in pink marble. Should the homeowner choose to convert the den into a home gym, the area is spacious enough for various equipment. After a strenuous workout, the Turkish steam bath is perfect for relaxation. Equipped with a laundry room and downstairs pantry, the lower level also provides a secondary entrance to the patio via a green stone staircase.
