About
Valentina Cirasola, Author and Designer
I am Valentina, Italian born, my hometown is Bari the capital of the Puglia region. I was born into a family of artists, designers, and food connoisseurs. When I moved away from my family and started to cook for myself out of necessity, it was as if by a miracle, all those years watching, eating and tasting translated into doing. I recalled the perfection of how every dish was supposed to look and taste. Watching my family and eating good food every day, gave me the expertise of a professional chef. I had the first funny episode in my cooking life and the only one of this kind: once, I cooked spaghetti without adding water in the pot and of course it was as if I had started firecrackers in my kitchen.
Today, living in America, among many things, I spread lightheartedness and joy, while passing my notions of the good life and good health through eating real food. Through public speaking and appearances, I educate and inspire people to eat real food and think of cooking not as a chore but a fun moment of the day. Pour yourself a glass of wine, put on your favorite music or TV program and start cooking with joy, then set your table in a harmonious way, sit down and enjoy the product of your cooking whether there is a family or not eating with you. You are important and your soul will rejoice if you pay attention to it.
I am a passionate cook, avid reader, speak four languages and I trot the world. I also take interest in cuisines of the world and I am especially interested in food in history. These are all the pleasurable parts of my life that have prompted me to start writing books.
However, my main profession is interior designing with a special focus upon Kitchens. What a better designer than the ones who cook! My passions are showing up in every aspect of my life. I have been in business as a certified interior designer since 1990, working in my company Valentina Interiors & Designs and have served a variegated group of fun people in Europe and in the United States. To remodel homes and to turn unattractive spaces into castles is the specialty of my business, but to design kitchens and wine grottos is my love, as you can imagine. Those are the rooms of a home that make people feel good.
One of the most fundamental areas in people’s lives is the HOME. Home is where people return to relax; a place to resolve any crisis. It is the center of everything and a lot of the answers to questions of life are there. In simple words, I love to harmonize people’s lives by finding their excellence, creating their energy with colors and adding beauty, while designing their palates as well. I care that everyone deserves to live in beauty and harmony.
Previous the interior design business, I was a fashion designer and owned my Atelier Valentina from where I created original one-of-a-kind fashion.
Now, so many years later, I have incorporated fashion in my interior design business and create powerful personal images for high rollers professionals, and people who care to look good for themselves first in every moment of the day.
I have loved my profession for so long and never have given signs of wanting to quit. My books are reflections of my passions. Welcome to my world. Benvenuti nel mio mondo.
Watch the book trailers here:
Book #6 – ©Design Nature For A Colorful Home – How nature relates to home interiors
Independent Publishing Platform, Nov. 8, 2020
https://youtu.be/gb4EFagCsDM
Book #5 – ©RED-A Voyage Into Colors – Second Edition. It’s all about colors
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, October 18, 2019
https://youtu.be/_4HfdRCh5oQ
Book #4 – ©Naked Lemons. It’s all about lemons
Independently published, August 3, 2019
https://youtu.be/EHRP-cxLy4Y
Book #3 – ©The Road To Top Of The World. It’s a travel narrative.
Published by Amazon, Sept.26, 2018.
https://youtu.be/StmAEhJ48fY
Book #2 – ©Sins of A Queen – Italian Appetizers and Desserts
Published by OutskirtsPress, Dec. 14, 2010.
http://youtu.be/EYH0hQ5PiYQ
Book #1 – ©Come mia Nonna – A Return To Simplicity – Stories of kitchen
Published by OutskirtsPress, Nov. 26, 2009.
https://youtu.be/Lnq8baaAq0M
Amazon – http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Noble – http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w
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Visit my design site: http://www.valentinadesigns.com
Visit my design blog: https://valentinaexpressions.com/category/home-designs-master
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Copyright © 2010-2021 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved
Author and Designer
Author’s Page: amazon.com/author/valentinacirasola
©Design Nature For A Colorful Home
©RED- A Voyage Into Colors – Second Edition
©Naked Lemons
©The Road To Top Of The World
©Sins Of A Queen – Italian Appetizers and Desserts
©Come Mia Nonna-A Return To Simplicity
Valentina Expressions 
Aug 12, 2019 @ 18:04:38
Hi Valentina.. hope you are well. You recently invited me to share some of your archive posts on Smorgasbord, and I have selected for from 2011 to 2018 and scheduled them to go out from Friday 23rd of August at 18.00 UK time and then for the following three Fridays. I am sure they will be enjoyed.. best wishes Sally
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Aug 13, 2019 @ 02:11:21
Thank you so much Sally, I am very happy. 😀😀🙏🏻
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Aug 13, 2019 @ 07:06:50
Great Valentina..hugs
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Oct 12, 2017 @ 05:50:45
It truly would be impossible for me to not follow you.
“When I moved away from my family and started to cook for myself out of necessity, it was as if by miracle, all those years watching, eating and tasting translated to doing.”
Yep.
I get it.
My family essentially grumbles if I suggest we go out to eat.
It is only in America, they do this, I admit, that.
But, still, one of my biggest enjoyments in Europe is shopping for fresh produce in the daily markets, and using their spices and condiments, and cooking amazing food.
I really learned all this from my Polish grandmother and her daughter, my mother.
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Oct 12, 2017 @ 15:06:02
Thank you Cindy for the compliment.
I feel the same, I hardly eat out, first because commercial food is corrupted and second, I truly enjoy cooking with fresh ingredients. Cooking is art that keep us healthy. Thanks for the visit and the comment.
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Mar 04, 2017 @ 06:21:22
How amazing! So many creative talents! Cooking, interior design and writing.
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Mar 04, 2017 @ 19:20:14
Well, let’s say I have put all my passions to work. 😀😀 Thanks for the visit.
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Feb 18, 2017 @ 09:03:25
Ciao Valentina. Anch’io sono un po’ pugliese, per 1/4… di Ceglie 🙂
Grazie per la visita e complimenti per i libri e il blog!
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Feb 18, 2017 @ 17:33:14
Bello a sapersi Sara, vivi in Puglia o in qualche altra parte del mondo? Grazie a te per il commento e la visita.
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Feb 19, 2017 @ 08:19:34
Adesso lavoro in Inghilterra. Ho vissuto in parecchi paesi diversi in Africa e America Latina. In Italia, sto dalle parti di Pisa. Con tutto questo viaggiare, alla fine non sono mai stata a Ceglie. Sigh 😦 Devo sopperire al più presto e organizzare una visitina in Puglia!
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Feb 19, 2017 @ 19:51:07
Sara la Puglia e’ sempre stata una regione nascosta fino a una quindicina di anni fa, ma ora e’ sulla mappa delle regioni piu’ visitate da stranieri. Sta succedendo di tutto e di piu’ L’aeroporto di Bari e’ esploso, riceve 4 milioni di viaggiatori all’anno. Dovresti visitare la nostra regione.
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Jun 12, 2016 @ 16:56:45
Thanks for stopping by my blog. So interesting to see you are from Bari. My father was stationed at the U.S. Air Force San Vito Dei Normanni Air Station in Brindisi back in the 1960’s. We traveled to Bari a few times. Do you have a recipe for Fritellis? I’ve never seen them any where else but there.
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Jun 12, 2016 @ 23:17:01
I know that base very well, I believe it is now closed. We have many frittelle down in Puglia, do you remember which you ate?
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Jun 13, 2016 @ 01:49:50
Yes, it has been closed for many years. I lived there from 1968-1969. The fritelles I remember were like small fried calzones, filled with ham, cheese and a very light tomato sauce. I’ve never had anything like them since then. Brings back many memories!
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Jun 13, 2016 @ 13:52:39
What you describe is called panzerotti, a typical food from Puglia.
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Jun 13, 2016 @ 14:49:23
Thank you! The served them on the base and called them fritelle.
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Sep 14, 2014 @ 10:26:27
Hello Valentina,
seeing all your work, I would love to be your apprentice !
Best Regards
Susanne
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Sep 14, 2014 @ 16:24:43
Thank you Susanne, it would be an honor to share my knowledge. ❤
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Oct 17, 2013 @ 01:40:19
Thanks for becoming a Follower. Happy blogging.
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Oct 17, 2013 @ 19:14:20
My pleasure Sally.
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Aug 23, 2013 @ 19:48:52
I have always wanted to travel to Italy; it has so much culture!
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Aug 24, 2013 @ 02:11:44
You should my dear. Once a year, I organize tours to Italy for small groups. You will find info on this site on the page “Trips”. Thanks for visiting and following my blog.
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Aug 16, 2013 @ 22:43:37
The professor sends his greetings! I like the blue highlight!
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Aug 17, 2013 @ 00:11:20
Thank you for following my blog Professor, I appreciate the visit.
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Apr 02, 2013 @ 10:17:41
Hola Valentina, I just nominated you for an award :
http://katyakitchen.com/2013/04/01/the-versatile-blogger-award/
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Apr 07, 2013 @ 23:14:22
Katya,
thank you so much for my nomination. I accept it humbly and I am very honored. Sorry for this late answer. I was on Easter break.
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Apr 09, 2013 @ 17:50:44
Your nomination is well deserved, your blog is so delightful 🙂
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Apr 16, 2013 @ 19:53:25
I am very busy now, but I will comply with a the right thankfulness. Thank you again.
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Mar 22, 2013 @ 12:18:14
Hello Valentina I see now why you liked my ” Food in Medieval England ” post, thanks for reading and I tend to agree with your comment what the peasant eat was most likely more healthy for them than the food the lords consumed. Your blog is very interesting. You are a very busy lady.
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Mar 22, 2013 @ 16:46:54
Yes, you are right I have a long time interest for food in history. Thank you for stopping by my blog.
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Mar 21, 2013 @ 23:47:35
Valentina, thank you for discovering my blog http://www.throughharoldslens.com. It gave me the opportunity to discover, explore and Follow your blog. Hope we both enjoy. Since I am off for two weeks to Italy in a couple of months, your blog is making me very anxious and hungry to launch myself into the country with the greatest food in the world. Tap. Tap. Tap.
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Mar 22, 2013 @ 00:58:34
Italian food will keep you tapping. You will be doing lot of walking, because Italian cities are made for walking and then you will want for food and tap some more. Thank you for coming over, Harold, I enjoyed reading you.
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Mar 22, 2013 @ 01:33:57
Thank you Valentina.
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Mar 22, 2013 @ 05:27:34
🙂
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Apr 18, 2012 @ 14:16:45
Fun site, Valentina! I thought I was already following this, but I guess it didn’t “take” when I clicked it last week. You’re a talented woman. 🙂
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Apr 18, 2012 @ 14:18:36
Thank you Robin. This is my site and blog regarding my my books and Italian culture.
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Jun 22, 2011 @ 06:56:18
Hello my name is Dominique
I am a South Africa born in SA with an Italian Father,
I think your web page is great and find your story such an inspiration!!!
I have also studied design and love it! I have not been able to break into the market as yet.
I would like to keep in touch with what you are doing and would love to purchase your book Sins of A Queen – Italian Appetizers and Desserts
Warm regards
Dominique Paronitti
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Jun 22, 2011 @ 14:44:01
Hello Dominique,
thank you for reading my articles. Of course we can keep in touch.
Both of my books are available on Amazon and on this site, if you like to make purchase directly from me.
Please let me know if you need any help.
Salute,
Valentina
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