The Art of Pure Concrete: How Port Living Co. Redefines Strength and Elegance
Port Living Co. transforms industrial concrete into elegant, heirloom-quality home essentials using decades of expertise and meticulous handcraft.
Most people think of concrete as sidewalks and industrial structures—not elegant dinner tables. But in their Charleston workshop, Annastasia and Jordan Castro have spent over a decade proving concrete can be sophisticated and strong.
Port Living Co. blends large-scale industrial expertise with intimate handcraft. Decades of architectural concrete experience now creates home essentials designed to elevate the everyday.
From Boston to Charleston
The story began more than a decade ago in Boston. Annastasia and Jordan worked on large-scale precast concrete projects while nurturing a passion for cooking and entertaining. They asked themselves: what if we could refine this industrial material for the most personal spaces in a home?
That experiment evolved into a full design studio. In 2014, they moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where they've been handcrafting concrete home products ever since.
Moving from industrial scale to intimate craft meant completely rethinking how concrete could be formulated, sealed, and finished.
Sophisticated Concrete
Port Living Co. works with ultra-high performance concrete. Each piece contains roughly 25% recycled content with locally sourced materials—sustainability and sophistication working together.
The real innovation is their proprietary sealing process. "It has taken years to develop our process," the Castros explain. Each piece gets three coats of their FDA-approved sealer, hand-burnished with a vegetable-based compound. No harmful chemicals or fillers.
The result? Concrete that invites touch. A smooth, refined surface that improves with age—industrial material transformed into something intimate.
Everyday Elegance
The collection spans kitchen essentials to office accessories. Trivets, canisters, coasters, napkin holders, bookends, and wine chillers all share the same aesthetic: minimalist forms, clean lines, and understated elegance.
The weight of concrete brings satisfying heft. These objects feel substantial and permanent. "These coasters are beautiful! We were so impressed by the quality," one customer says. Another notes, "I was shocked by how much care they put into the packaging."
The design world agrees. Port Living Co. has been featured in Dwell, Elle Decor, The Food Network, and The New York Times. They've been recognized at the International Housewares Association Show and named an "Emerging Designer" at New York's NYNOW Show.
Built to Last
The Castros design for generations. "We strive to design heirloom quality goods that are well loved by discerning customers for generations," they explain.
Concrete improves with age. The sealed surface develops a subtle patina from years of use. A Port Living Co. coaster won't just survive being passed down—it will carry stories of countless gatherings.
They back this with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Care is simple: clean with a damp cloth and reseal periodically with paste wax or linseed oil. Minimal maintenance for objects built to last.
The Future
Annastasia and Jordan remain committed to superior craftsmanship, innovative design, and quality that represents the best of American making. They continue expanding their product line thoughtfully and offer custom solutions for designers and homeowners.
Port Living Co. is about transformation—of a material, a space, everyday moments. Taking something cold and industrial and revealing its capacity for warmth and elegance.
In their Charleston workshop, the Castros prove that deep material knowledge combined with thoughtful design creates more than products. They create potential heirlooms that anchor homes and hold memories for generations.
Discover Port Living Co.'s collection of handcrafted concrete essentials on their dedicated maker page at Element Made.
