One of the great joys in my editorial journey has been connecting with remarkably creative women. Over the past decade, I’ve witnessed many of them evolve—launching businesses, starting families, relocating, and transforming into authentic versions of themselves. This is especially true for my dear friend Cassandra LaValle. We first crossed paths in 2009 when we both began our blogging adventures; since then, Cassandra has expanded her styling business, designed beautiful homes and restaurants, opened a shop, and recently rebranded from coco+kelley to Cassandra LaValle.
I’m perpetually inspired by Cassandra—from her table settings to her effortless decorating style. Her family’s Southern Italian heritage shines through in her cooking and hosting style, filled with seasonal ingredients and a passion for the process.
During a recent visit to Seattle, I spent a lovely afternoon with Cassandra in her studio. Although we hadn’t met for a while, it felt as if no time had passed as we set the table and caught up over spritzes. Read on for my conversation with Cassandra, her party planning secrets, and the ultimate pistachio pesto recipe.
Cooking Italian Style in Seattle
What sparked your love for cooking?
While my family cooked fresh meals regularly, my fondest memories come from visiting my Italian relatives in Toronto, where my grandmother and aunts taught me how to roll gnocchi—perfect for little hands! My heritage and the emphasis on gathering around food, coupled with my dad's restaurant background, naturally integrated food and entertaining into my life.
How do you approach food?
I admit I can be a bit of a lazy cook, favoring simple, informal meals. This reflects my Southern Italian roots, where meals are straightforward and not overly complicated.
It’s about high-quality ingredients and straightforward flavors, infused with love and tradition. I cherish the cooking ritual—pouring a glass of wine, playing music, and savoring the process.
Gardening is part of that ritual too. My mom always grew lettuce and tomatoes, and I’ve continued that with my family, adding new vegetables each year and even growing some berries and corn. We’ve also got old plum and pear trees that came with our house! This lets us eat seasonally and enjoy the bounty of our garden.
What’s your essential cooking tool?
My husband teases me about my obsession with these tongs, which I use for nearly everything. They give me control without scratching my pans.
Favorite cookbooks?
- Where Cooking Begins, by Carla Lalli Music. This book is structured around cooking strategies, techniques, and recipes—perfect for those ready to explore beyond basics without feeling overwhelmed.
- Piatti, by Stacy Adimando. I connected with Stacy on a foodie trip, and her book focuses on small plates, allowing for exploration of diverse Italian flavors.
- A Boat, A Whale, and a Walrus, and Getaway, both by Renee Erickson. I admire Renee's work, blending French and Italian influences with Pacific Northwest ingredients.
What’s always in your refrigerator?
A good selection of cheese, fresh salad items (lettuce, avocado, radish), blueberries, and cut carrots and celery for snacking. I also keep fresh pasta, oat milk, and eggs. We try to be more vegetarian but usually have a few cuts of meat. I plan meals at the beginning of the week to avoid waste.
Your favorite weeknight meal?
It varies seasonally, but I enjoy seafood (like prawns or white fish) with polenta and roasted tomatoes or grilled vegetables. And pasta, of course!
Pursuing Her Passion
What inspired the creation of Casa di LaValle?
Opening the shop felt like a natural progression for me, given my background. In my twenties, I managed a boutique home store in Los Angeles, where merchandising was my favorite part. I also worked as a home merchandiser for Anthropologie and was the Market Editor at Rue Magazine during its inception. My experience in curating products for my blog and clients solidified this path!
However, it was the pandemic that pushed me to act. With my studio empty for nearly a year, I was motivated to create a holiday shop in December 2020. The positive response from early shoppers encouraged me to continue, leading to monthly pop-up shops and a full-time online store. I focus on vintage or handmade pieces, supporting small artisans, which results in a unique and evolving selection.
Tell us about your studio space.
Pioneer Square is my favorite area in Seattle, with its rich history and character. I discovered my studio five years ago and instantly fell in love with the painted white brick, soaring ceilings, and abundant natural light.
The previous tenants were an architecture firm, and they painted the walls white while keeping the floor and ceiling black, which I found perfect. The light and high doors create a wonderful atmosphere. I enjoy being near the waterfront, where I can take in the view on nice days, and the support from local businesses is fantastic.
Describe a typical day for you.
Most creatives would say I don’t have a “typical” day. While I thrive on rituals, I prefer flexibility. I usually wake up around 7am with coffee in hand. Some mornings start with meditation and stretching, while others dive straight into work. I like to tackle a few tasks from my to-do list early to ease daily stress.
Recently, I’ve been organizing my week into client-focused days and shop days to enhance productivity, although sometimes it’s unavoidable to mix them. Between tasks, I source items for both clients and the shop and create content. On Fridays, I try to reserve time for antiquing—it's hard to believe this is part of my job!
Throwing an Exceptional Party
What does a perfect gathering look like for you?
I love casual get-togethers with special touches. The comfort of my guests is paramount, so I create an atmosphere where friends feel cared for.
I seize every opportunity to showcase my fun or elegant dishes. Fresh flowers or candles are always present, along with plenty of delicious food—often too much! I prefer preparing dishes in advance that guests can enjoy at their leisure. This laid-back style encourages mingling and prolongs the evening.
My favorite summer gatherings start early and flow into the golden hour, where we can enjoy outdoor fires and blankets late into the night.
Three must-haves for your table?
Good linens are essential—tablecloths, napkins, and dish towels add texture and are simple to care for. These are my favorites from the shop.
Vintage wood salad bowls are another obsession of mine; I collect different sizes for entertaining needs. Lastly, I prefer versatile glassware. While I appreciate quality stemware, I remember my Italian family using simple glasses for wine, so I enjoy a collection of mismatched glassware for casual gatherings.
Get Cassandra’s Cocchi Spritz cocktail recipe.
What makes you anxious about hosting?
Nothing at all! Perhaps it’s my age or the relaxed nature of my events, but I truly enjoy hosting. With plenty of good wine and food, it’s hard to go wrong!
I remind myself that it’s not about perfection or impressing others, but rather about taking care of friends, and they reciprocate that care.
Always invite those special friends who help with the dishes at the end of the night!
Your go-to dishes for gatherings?
Charcuterie is a staple—it's foolproof!
Budget-friendly hosting tip?
Skip the centerpiece and light some candles. When cooking, opt for a pasta or grains dish served family style—it's cost-effective and feels just as special! My friends and I often do potluck-style gatherings, which is always appreciated!
Best conversation starter?
What’s the last show you binge-watched? It’s a light topic to kick off conversations beyond the usual “What’s your job?”
A perfect dinner party playlist features:
Old jazz or blues.
Get the recipe for Cassandra’s Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Galette.
Centerpiece solution:
A last-minute bouquet from my garden or my neighbors, arranged casually in a pitcher. Alternatively, a vintage candelabra for off-season decor!
No-stress party rule:
Always give yourself extra prep time. Plus, overbuy cheese, bread, and wine to keep things smooth.
Dream dinner guests?
Just my closest friends, the ones I truly want to spend time with!
Fill in the blank:
“A perfect meal should …” be an adventure.
“It’s not a dinner party without …” great wine and stimulating conversation that lasts into the night.
“Every cook should know how to …” improvise!
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