The story begins with a our first family trip to Rome where we lived for five weeks in an apartment with a view of the Vatican and where St. Peters Square was our local square. And every day we walked pass the Vatican hoping to get a glimpse of the Pope ... but to no avail; until at last, on the New Years Eve of the Millennium, we were blessed by more then the Pope that night -- we were filled with the magic that is Italy.

The next several weeks were spent searching out all that Rome had to offer. With every store we went into we became more impressed with the products of Italy. The quality and design was unsurpassed by most of what you find in America. Beth had spent many years working in the retail Kitchen and Home Décor industry, seldom seeing anything quite like what we were seeing in these shops.

Rome was only the beginning of my love affair with Italy -- Venice was next. As we stepped off the train from Rome, on a foggy and rainy January day we felt as if we had stepped back in time. It was everything that we had imagined, breathtaking and peaceful. Our days were spent wondering the narrow streets and canals never really knowing where we where or where we would end up. [Maps are of no use in Venice!] We must have visited a hundred shops and saw some of the most amazing workmanship and artistry -- from the Paper Mache carnival masks to blown glass from the island of Murano. We were hooked!

Back at home in Snohomish, Washington, our 1890 Victorian home assumed the look and style of a Venetian villa -- especially in the kitchen where we began everyday using our stove top espresso coffee maker by Stella and began making plans to open
Casa e Cucina Francesca -- named after the youngest member of our team!

You may read about visiting Snohomish in the Seattle PI, which states:
"One of the biggest surprises is Casa e Cucina Francesca, which sells sophisticated Italian imports. Located in an old barbershop at 1206 1/2 First St., it specializes in stainless steel, stovetop espresso-makers and handmade Carnival masks from Venice."
  READ THE ARTICLE HERE...

Plus, you are invited to call us during our store hours for more information from a real person answering the phone! 360.563.9440.