Inspired by the iconic Australian beach house and the Mediterranean lifestyle, Harbour creates furniture that perfectly complements the Western Australian lifestyle and climate. Their collection includes stylish and durable outdoor sofas, sectionals, lounges, coffee tables, and more. Founders Harrison and Nicholas Condos helm the brand, with a flagship showroom in Sydney, Australia, as well as showrooms across Asia and the United States.
We spoke with Harrison and Nicholas about their passion for design, the inspiration behind their collections, and what the future holds for the brand.
Harrison and Nicholas, how was Harbour established?
Our father, Jim Condos, a master blacksmith from Greece, started the family business from a Sydney workshop in 1976. Growing up, we learnt everything about metalwork and craftsmanship from him which instilled in us a real passion for design. This ultimately led us to grow the family-business and take it overseas - which is when Harbour was born on the global stage. Now, we have showrooms in Australia, across Asia and the USA and are well known as a luxury outdoor lifestyle brand around the world.
What are the main sources of inspiration and references you regularly draw to?
Our design philosophy is shaped by the Australian lifestyle, but also our Mediterranean heritage which has created Harbour’s fresh, coastal and luxurious aesthetic. You’ll notice that many of our collections are named after coastal locations that have inspired our design journey and are an ode to our upbringing. We travel regularly around the world and always come back with ideas - the outdoors offers constant inspiration which is reflected in our carefully curated furniture pieces.
Once you have your inspiration in place, how do you select the materials?
Once we have an idea, we create a concept design and then experiment with materials to see what brings it to life, particularly when it comes to style and durability. We always incorporate how we can blend diverse high-quality materials to create something new and different.
How do you describe Harbour’s design sensibility and aesthetic?
We’re steeped in a culture that promotes the Australian way of life and represents our love of the outdoors, nature, modern design and coastal lifestyle; all expressed in our collections. Every Harbour collection embodies the simplicity of Australia’s coastline with a touch of the Mediterranean.
Is there something fundamental to your practice, your philosophy and your process?
Our father often said: "I prioritise simplicity, functionality, and maintaining a human touch in my designs" and this sentiment remains at the core of Harbour’s
craftsmanship today. Harbour’s collections are known for clean lines, durability and comfort. Every piece is as beautiful as it is functional.
Harbour feels very material and technique-driven. Can you tell us about this and how this guides your design process?
We grew up guided by our father’s meticulous craftsmanship and construction of furniture. It was through this that we developed a real passion for design and creating unique product with a minimalist design.
We only source the highest quality materials - from sustainably harvested teak and powder-coated aluminium to luxurious fabrics that bring our designs to life and represent our vision. Our vertically integrated business model means that we control all processes from design, and manufacturing through to global distribution of the finished product. This means that our quality control measures are of a very high standard and we continually conduct comprehensive checks to ensure our furnishings are built to last.
How do you ensure your furniture meets Australian standards against our harsh climate?
Harbour’s ethos is to create furniture with unique design, incredible durability, and a deep sense of culture derived from the harsh climates that Australians call home. All of our materials are tried and tested to stand the test of time. We use materials such as sustainably harvested teak which is highly resistant to the elements because its natural oils add a protective layer. Similarly, our high-quality powder-coated aluminium is lightweight with a protective layer which makes it resistant to corrosion and rust. All of our upholstery is UV and mould-resistant, with cleaning instructions available to ensure they look and feel luxurious all year round.
You have stores in Asia and the United States. What is about a quintessentially Australian range that appeals to a global market?
Our furniture represents the Australian way of life. With every collection, we bring together the simplicity of design with modern luxury which highlights Australia’s beautiful coastline. It is this “coastal alfresco” aesthetic that has been so popular around the world - bringing people together in the great outdoors, which is recognised as quintessentially Australian.
What’s next for Harbour?
We are continually innovating and evolving as a brand, introducing new collections that elevate the outdoors with unique designs and high-quality, sustainable materials. We have recently launched a series of fully upholstered collections such as Porto, Como and Cove Luxe, which add another level of luxury to the outdoor room, essentially bringing the indoors outdoors. We look forward to expanding our footprint across Australia and sharing new and innovative collections with the world.
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