Meet the Supplier: New Ravenna

Could you tell us about how company started?

Founded in 1992 by artist and designer Sara Baldwin, New Ravenna has established a reputation as the world’s most exquisite collection of custom stone and glass (and basalto! and shell! and metal!) mosaics for both home and commercial installations. From the coast of Virginia’s idyllic Eastern Shore in the town of Exmore, our team of over 100 artisans are proud to create and share unique, handcrafted mosaics which include decorative borders, murals, field tile, and medallions. Fun fact: the buildings that now make up New Ravenna have lived many lives – old t-shirt factories, potato-grating sheds, a roller rink, and even an Art Deco Theatre that run from 1938 to the late 1950s.

What inspires your designs?

All of our designers are first and foremost mosaicists who began their journey on the production floor where they learned the importance of scale, intricacy, and attention to every single detail. These are the brains (or should we say the hands) behind the mosaics. With a combined experience of over 80 years between them, the Design Team draws much of their inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds them on the Eastern Shore – the night sky, the foam created by the waves as they beat on years-old wood pilings, the way the sand pools around bare feet in the summer months – you name it! Our design team is constantly learning, researching, and developing to bring to market the most high-end and trend-setting mosaics.

Could you tell us a bit more about your manufacturing production process?

Our products are not only trendsetting, they bring art to practical spaces. Design is in our DNA. New artistic collections and innovative product lines are released each year. And each product can be customized to meet the needs of any customer — tile can be tumbled, honed, or treated to create distinctive styles, subtle shade variations, and textures. The final product is a custom, one-of-a-kind work of art in mosaic tile, which often incorporates the designs of architects, interior designers, and their clients.

What are your future goals as a company?

At New Ravenna, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. From the materials we source and the way we design and manufacture our products, to the way we run our business and give back to our community, we are committed to creating a positive impact on the world around us. We believe that sustainability is a journey, not a destination, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve. We use materials that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible, and we work with suppliers who share our values and adhere to the highest standards of sustainability. Keep in mind that our raw materials come from, literally, all over the world – Italy, Turkey, South America, etc. We also work to minimize waste and reduce our carbon footprint through our manufacturing processes and by using energy-efficient equipment and practices in our facility.

Could you share a fun fact about New Ravenna?

It’s amazing just how many hands touch a New Ravenna mosaic before it goes out the door. From sales and concept boards and the warehouse, to pre-production and tumbling, to mosaics, waterjet, hand-chopping, and shipping, there are multiple talented artisans in multiple departments creating YOUR one-of-a-kind mosaic with lots of love.