A Coastal Name with Ceramic Roots
Costa Nova is a Portuguese tableware brand inspired by the colorful, striped wooden fishing huts—called palheiros—that line the shores of Costa Nova, a small village near the Atlantic Ocean. Those vibrant stripes became the soul of the brand's design language.
Grestel – Produtos Cerâmicos, S.A., founded in 1998 in Vagos, Portugal, is the company behind the brand. In 2006, they launched Costa Nova, drawing direct inspiration from the village’s imagery. Today, the brand spans five continents and is sold in over 50 markets, with a strong presence in prestigious stores, hotels, and restaurants worldwide. Most of its production is exported, with the United States as a key market.
What Makes Costa Nova Different
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Premium Portuguese Stoneware: The products are made from finely milled Portuguese clays—kaolin, feldspar, and silica—using a single-firing process at about 1180 °C (2160 °F). This yields a fully vitrified, ultra-strong body with low absorption rates, resistant to thermal and mechanical shocks. These pieces are oven, microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe, and food-safe per international standards.
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Craft Meets Modernity: Traditional artisan techniques—such as hand-finishing and reactive glazing—are blended with industrial production lines to ensure consistency and uniqueness.
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Eco-Conscious Innovation: The company developed Eco Gres®, a recycled ceramic body made from reusing clays and glazes from its own operations. This eco-friendly material reduces resource use and waste while remaining food-safe.
Design Signatures & Popular Collections
Costa Nova is known for:
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Organic silhouettes in coastal hues (sea-glass blues, sandy neutrals).
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Reactive, hand-painted edges giving each piece a unique character.
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Mix-and-match ranges suited to casual or upscale table settings.
Popular collections include:
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Âmbar: Earthy tones with sophisticated reactive glazes.
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Lagoa Eco Gres: Matte exterior with eco-friendly recycled body.
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Plano, Augusta, Lívia, Brisa, Nova, Riviera, Pearl, etc.—each offers distinct aesthetics from minimalist to botanical, vintage to organic, and performance features for professionals (like chip resistance and stackability).
In 2023, the brand introduced its first fine porcelain collection, Resonance, designed by Carsten Gollnick. It cleverly blends porcelain with stoneware pieces to create elevated, flexible table settings.
A Brief Timeline
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1998 — Grestel founded in Vagos, Portugal.
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2006 — Costa Nova brand is launched, inspired by the fishing village.
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2017 — Acquisition of Casafina, expanding production and reach.
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2023 — Launch of Resonance, the brand’s first fine porcelain collection.
From a Village to the World
The striped houses of Costa Nova were originally built to be easily visible through sea fog—functional and whimsical. Costa Nova tableware channels that spirit: casual, sunlit, and designed to be used every day. It brings a sense of place, heritage, and craftsmanship to modern dining.
Why Modern Hosts Love It
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Effortlessly Layered Aesthetics — Coastal yet neutral palettes pair beautifully with many styles.
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Durable for Daily Use — Fully vitrified stoneware offers long-lasting utility.
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Eco-Responsibility — Sustainable materials and production practices align with conscious consumption.