Some of the pleasant components of my editorial profession has been attending to know a number of the most extremely creative women. And during the last decade, I’ve been impressed by so a lot of their evolutions—launching corporations, beginning households, making cross-country strikes, and in any other case reinventing themselves into variations that really feel much more aligned with their true essence. Nowhere is that this extra true than with my pricey good friend Cassandra LaValle. We first met in 2009 once we’d each not too long ago launched our blogs, and within the years since, Cassandra has expanded her styling enterprise, designed houses and eating places, opened a shop, and most not too long ago, completed a full rebrand, altering her firm’s title from coco+kelley to (merely and fairly completely) Cassandra LaValle.
I’m perpetually impressed by Cassandra—from the way in which she units a desk to how effortlessly she decorates a room, she at all times nails it. Her household’s Southern Italian heritage is clear in her joyful strategy to cooking and internet hosting with gusto—considerable seasonal components and a love for the method are ever-present.
On a latest journey to Seattle, I bought to spend a day with Cassandra in her studio. We hadn’t seen one another in awhile, however as we set the desk and caught up over spritzes, it was a reminder that, with true mates, you possibly can at all times decide proper up the place you left off. Learn on for my interview with Cassandra LaValle, her secrets and techniques to an ideal party, and the one pistachio pesto recipe you’ll ever want.
On cooking like an Italian (in Seattle)
How did you learn to cook?
Even though we always cooked fresh meals at home, my strongest memories come from visiting the Italian side of my family in Toronto, and my grandmother and aunts showing me how to roll out gnocchi. It’s a great task for little fingers! My heritage and the value we put on gathering round meals, plus the truth that my dad labored within the restaurant business, made meals and entertaining a pure a part of my upbringing.
What’s your approach to food?
I’ll be the first to admit that I can be a bit of a lazy cook, so I like more informal, easy to throw together meals. But, I think this also reflects my Southern Italian roots, where food isn’t fussy or over-prepared.
It’s all about good ingredients and simple flavors, with a lot of love and ritual thrown into the preparation. A big part of what I love about cooking is the ritual—pouring a glass of wine, turning on some music, and enjoying the process.
Another part of that ritual includes gardening. Growing up, my mom would always have lettuce and tomatoes growing, and I’ve continued that tradition with my own family, adding new veggies to our raised beds every year and experimenting with growing everything from berries to corn. We even have some old plum and pear trees that came with the house! So we’re eating more seasonally and studying the way to use the abundance of produce accessible to us, which has been enjoyable.
What’s your must-have cooking tool and why?
My husband makes fun of me because I use these tongs to cook dinner virtually all the pieces, so perhaps that’s my important? I just like the management they provide me with out scratching up my pans.
What are your favourite cookbooks?
- Where Cooking Begins, by Carla Lalli Music. I really like the way in which this cookbook is damaged down into sections on cooking technique, methods, after which the precise recipes. This can be a great cookbook for individuals who have mastered fundamental cooking and are able to dive into a brand new degree with out it feeling overwhelming.
- Piatti, Stacy Adimando. I met Stacy on a foodie journey that we had been each invited on, and our Italian heritage linked us instantly! Her cookbook is considered one of my favorites as a result of it’s all about small plates and platters, not simply pasta pasta pasta, so it’s a beautiful technique to discover new Italian flavors and dishes.
- A Boat, A Whale, and a Walrus, and Getaway, each by Renee Erickson. Renee is a neighborhood chef and restaurateur right here in Seattle, who I love deeply. Her cooking is French and Italian influenced, but in addition very a lot certain to the Pacific Northwest, so naturally I really like each recipe, and the tales behind them too!
Tell us a few things we’ll always find in your refrigerator?
A decent cheese selection. Contemporary salad ingredients (lettuce, avocado, and radish are my favorites). Blueberries. Lower carrots and celery for snacking. Contemporary pasta. Oat milk and eggs. In all probability a lower of meat or two, though we’re attempting to get extra vegetarian based in our meals! Largely simply the fundamentals. I like to buy at first of the week with a meal plan in thoughts so we don’t overstock and issues don’t go dangerous.
Your go-to weeknight meal to eat at residence?
It adjustments seasonally, however I really like seafood (prawns or a whitefish) paired with polenta, and roasted tomatoes or grilled veg. Or, after all, pasta, pasta, and more pasta.
On doing what she loves
How did your shop, Casa di LaValle, come to be?
In many ways, opening the shop was a pure subsequent step for me—a lot of my background has led as much as this! In my twenties, I helped run a boutique residence retailer in Los Angeles, and my favourite half was merchandising. I additionally spent just a little over a 12 months as a house merchandiser for Anthropologie. I used to be the Market Editor at Rue Journal in its early days, and have been pulling collectively product alternatives for my very own weblog and inside shoppers for over a decade!
But it surely was lastly being grounded throughout the pandemic that made me take the leap. Not touring and likewise having a studio that had sat empty for practically a 12 months, I used to be impressed to tug collectively a vacation store in December 2020. Our early customers had been so encouraging, I made a decision to maintain the pop-up retailers going! We did them each different month final 12 months, and have moved into month-to-month buying this 12 months, with a full time store on-line. A lot of the product I supply is classic or handmade, supporting small artists, makers, and artisans, which creates a extremely particular and ever-changing curation of products.
Tell us about your gorgeous studio.
I’ve always loved being in Pioneer Square, which is the most historic part of Seattle. The buildings down here have so much more character than most spaces in the city. I found this spot about five years ago, and the second I saw the painted white brick, soaring ceilings and natural light, I knew it was perfect!
The tenants before us were an architecture firm and they painted all the walls white and the floor and ceiling black, and we thought it was perfect just the way it was. The light is definitely the best part of the space, along with the incredibly high doors and ceilings. I love that we’re close to the waterfront – I can stroll down there on a nice day and take in the view. And all the small businesses in the neighborhood are so supportive of each other. It’s such a great community to be a part of.
Walk us through a typical day for you.
As most creatives will probably tell you—I don’t really have a “typical” day. I’m not one for a lot of structure, although I do love my rituals. I’m usually up by 7am with a cup of coffee in my hand immediately. From there, some days it’s meditation and stretching, and some days it’s diving right into work. If I wake up with a big to-do list for the day, I like to check a few things off the list right away—it helps relieve the stress of the day. Either way, I tend to take a few hours in the morning to get work done on my laptop at home before taking the dog for a walk, and then heading into the studio or out to meetings.
Lately, I’ve been trying to divide my week up into client days and shop days. I’ve learned that I can focus better when my brain isn’t switching in between the two, although sometimes it can’t be helped! In between, I’m also sourcing for both clients and the shop, as well as creating content. I like to try and reserve one day a week for a local antiquing trip, usually Fridays. I still can’t believe that this kind of shopping is a part of my job now!
How Cassandra LaValle throws a great party
What does a great gathering look like for you?
I’m all about the casual hang with elevated moments. Crucial factor to me is for my company to really feel snug. Which means creating an atmosphere the place mates can present up and know that they’ll be taken care of.
I take advantage of any and all gatherings as an excuse to make use of my enjoyable or fancy dishes. There are at all times recent flowers or candles, and clearly, nice meals. Often an excessive amount of meals, to be trustworthy! I prefer to make dishes forward of time that may sit out so individuals can nibble as they like. I benefit from the informality of this fashion of consuming, however I additionally discover that individuals will linger longer when there’s not a structured meal.
I really like a summer season gathering that begins early and eases into that golden hour gentle, and when the solar units, we bust out the blankets and construct a fireplace outdoors so we will hang around late into the night time.
What are 3 products you love for the table, and why?
My top essential for the table is good linens—tablecloths, napkins, even dish towels. I love the texture they bring to a table, and they’re so classic and easy to take care of. These are my favorite linens within the store proper now.
I’m additionally obsessive about large vintage wood salad bowls. I can’t get sufficient of them, I’m at all times accumulating totally different sizes, so I’ve each dimension I would like for entertaining.
Lastly, simple and versatile glassware. Don’t get me improper—I really like good stemware (and positively personal a beautiful set) however I keep in mind watching my Italian household drink their desk wine from easy juice glasses, and I’m all for it. So I prefer to set out a choice of small mismatched glassware on an informal desk that you should use for any beverage.
Get the recipe for Cassandra’s Cocchi Spritz cocktail.
What scares you about entertaining?
Nothing! Possibly it’s my age or the informal nature of the gatherings I usually throw, however I really like entertaining. So long as I’m stocked up on good wine and loads of meals, there’s not a lot that may go improper!
I attempt to keep in mind that it’s not about perfection, or impressing individuals, it’s simply taking good care of your folks, and (you probably have good mates) them taking good care of you too.
I extremely recommend at all times inviting these distinctive souls who keep till the very finish of a cocktail party that will help you wash the dishes.
Your signature dishes for gatherings?
Charcuterie, always. You can’t mess it up!
What’s one tip for someone who wants to host a gathering on a budget?
Skip the centerpiece and light some candles. And if you’re making dinner, choose a pasta or grains dish to serve household model—it’s cheaper, simpler, and simply as particular! Additionally, my girlfriends and I nonetheless do potluck model once we collect at one another’s houses. There’s zero disgrace in that recreation—our lives are all busy, and it’s at all times appreciated!
Favorite conversation starter?
What’s the last show you binge-watched? (We’re all guilty, and it’s a nice light topic to enter into conversation with someone while avoiding the typical “What do you do?” )
The perfect dinner party playlist includes:
Old jazz or blues.
Get the recipe for Cassandra’s Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Galette.
Go-to centerpiece answer:
Often, a last-minute bouquet from flowers foraged in our backyard or my neighbors, in an informal pitcher. Or a classic candelabra within the off season!
What is your no-stress party rule to live by?
Give yourself more time than you think you need to prep. Also, always overbuy cheese, bread and wine, and you’ll be fine.
Dream dinner guests:
Just my nearest and dearest. They’re the ones I want to spend time with!
Fill in the blank:
“A perfect meal should …” be a journey.
“It’s not a dinner party without …” beautiful wine and good conversation that lasts late into the evening.
“Every cook should know how to …” improvise! Just in case…
