Inside the Home and Kitchen of Culinary Creative Julia Sherman

Julia Sherman, the multifaceted creative force behind the acclaimed Salad for President project, has long been a voice for those who view food as a medium for artistic expression and social connection. Whether she is meticulously overseeing the respectful restoration of mid-century Los Angeles architecture, penning an inventive, art-forward cookbook, or curating high-level culinary experiences, Sherman possesses a distinct ability to layer flavor, texture, and cultural significance into every endeavor. Having recently concluded a dynamic two-year tenure as Executive Chef and Director of Artist Partnerships at Oberon—the restaurant situated within the New York City New Museum—Sherman is now channeling her energy into her latest entrepreneurial pursuit: a line of signature Salad for President dressing mixes designed to elevate the home dining experience.

As part of our ongoing "Shopping Buddy" series, in which we invite influential tastemakers to pull back the curtain on their most prized home acquisitions and daily essentials, we sat down with Sherman to discuss the items that shape her life. From kitchen staples that she insists are worth every penny to the surprising, thoughtful gifts she bestows upon her neighbors, Sherman offers a window into a home that is as functional as it is inspired.

Investing in Quality and Character

When asked about the most recent addition to her living space, Sherman points to a collaborative piece that balances utility with a touch of whimsy: the Staub x Clare V. Le Dutch Tote. The piece, which features a distinct decorative kiss knob on the lid and comes with a custom carrying bag, caught her eye not just for its aesthetic appeal but for its symbolic promise of future hospitality. "I couldn’t help it," she admits, noting that she hopes the mere act of owning such a piece might manifest invitations to gather at the tables of friends and neighbors.

However, her commitment to quality remains firmly rooted in high-performance equipment. When discussing her kitchen, Sherman is quick to champion the Vitamix, a tool she views as a non-negotiable part of her culinary arsenal. While she acknowledges the higher price tag, she maintains that it is one of the few kitchen investments that pays for itself through performance and longevity. Recently, she upgraded her setup with a stainless steel pitcher, a modification that she feels has rendered her primary blending tool virtually indestructible.

Reordering the Essentials

Beyond heavy-duty equipment, Sherman’s home is defined by a curated selection of consumables and storage solutions that reflect her personal brand. She has become a devoted user of the hand wash produced by the brand SISTERS, placing their glass pump bottles in every bathroom and adjacent to her kitchen sink. She recently restocked the specific "SALAD" scent—a collaborative effort between the two brands—which features a sophisticated, aromatic profile of shiso, Sichuan peppercorn, and mimosa.

Organizationally, Sherman favors solutions that prioritize practicality over aesthetic pretension. For the chaos of a household with children, she swears by the IKEA Trofast storage combination. Having utilized the system previously in her garage in Pasadena, she has now implemented a similar setup in her family’s craft room in New York City. "It’s not glamorous, but it works," she says, emphasizing that for the storage of children’s art supplies, utility must always take precedence over design.

Entertaining and the Culinary Craft

At the center of her hosting philosophy is her new line of Salad for President dressing mixes. Recognizing the pressures of modern, fast-paced entertaining, Sherman designed these powdered mixes to provide big, bold flavors with minimal effort. They have become her go-to solution for impromptu meals, particularly when she needs to cater to a diverse group of guests, bridging the gap between adult palates and the simpler preferences of children.

Sherman also credits two specific home upgrades for transforming her kitchen routine. First, the installation of a garbage disposal, which she views as a threshold beyond which there is no return; once accustomed to the convenience of modern waste management, one can never go back to the "sludge" that inevitably collects in a standard sink. Second, she is a proponent of the "Tap Master," a foot-pedal system that allows for the operation of the kitchen faucet without requiring direct hand contact. It is, in her estimation, an ingenious solution for maintaining hygiene while managing food preparation.

Wind-Down Routines and Aesthetic Inspirations

For her personal wellness, especially after spending hours on her feet in a professional kitchen environment, Sherman relies on a physical recovery routine anchored by an OPTP Silver AXIS foam roller and a high-quality Manduka yoga mat. A thorough stretch at the end of the day is, for her, a non-negotiable ritual.

Her eye for design extends to her choice of glassware. She is currently highlighting the work of Sirius Glassworks, a Canadian company known for its exquisite blown-glass tumblers and vases. Sherman acquired a selection of their glasses during a trip to Toronto, noting that their presence has the power to make even a simple glass of water feel like an intentional, elevated experience.

When seeking inspiration, she frequently returns to the exhibition catalog from Carol Bove’s show at the Guggenheim. The book serves as a constant source of reference for its nuanced use of color, material, and texture. This exploration of color has also influenced her current obsession: butter yellow. While she harbors a lingering fear that the hue may be a fleeting trend, her attraction to the color is strong enough that she is willing to overlook the risk of it feeling dated.

Giving and Living

True to her creative nature, Sherman’s gift-giving philosophy is centered on the unexpected. She finds joy in surprising neighbors with homemade cakes, asserting that an unprompted treat is often the most meaningful gesture one can offer. For younger recipients, she leans toward high-quality, durable garments like the baby pantaloons from Makie. While she acknowledges the price point, she notes that the elasticity and quality of the fabric allow them to be worn for years, providing a functional justification for the investment.

In terms of home decor, Sherman has a long-standing desire for the USM Haller modular system. While she admits she is far too functional a cook to utilize it in the way it is often displayed in design magazines—as a pristine, open-shelving unit—she deeply admires how others have integrated the system into custom kitchen cabinetry and islands. "It’s incredibly sharp, if not particularly practical," she notes.

She has also found success in blending high and low sources to curate her home’s character. A standout example is a clear Murano glass chandelier she sourced on eBay. Because of its relatively compact size and subtle design, it avoids the feeling of being "over-the-top," instead feeling like a natural, period-appropriate fixture when placed alongside the original crown molding in her turn-of-the-century brownstone.

The final piece of her living room puzzle is a green Quilton sofa from HAY. It serves as an anchor for the entire space, providing a bold, cheerful statement that manages to remain remarkably versatile, coordinating seamlessly with the rest of her furnishings. For Julia Sherman, the home is a living project, one where functionality and art are not mutually exclusive, but rather intertwined elements that make for a life well-lived.