As a furniture designer and manufacturer, Harbro is a quiet achiever. With a heritage of more than 50 years in business, it conceives and creates furniture that stands the test of time.

Talking with Managing Director, Bryce Hardy, it was time to investigate this company, find out what makes it tick, where it has come from and what’s in store for the future.

Indesignlive: What was the original idea behind Harbro in the ’70s – and how has the business evolved?


Bryce Hardy: It started very simply, to make great looking and durable sofas. Back in the ’70s, it was all about honest materials, quality craftsmanship and building something that lasts and that hasn’t changed. What’s different now is the way we think about design, pieces that are still grounded in craft but carry a sense of individuality and play. We’ve gone from classic forms to creating furniture that feels as personal as the homes in which our pieces live. Also, a large part of our business is the customisation of our product under our brand for architects and designers, whether that is a modular sofa, lounge chair or bedhead – we create for the individual and are renowned for our bespoke offering.

IDL: Has the meaning of “family business” changed for you over time?


BH: Not really. The business has always been a huge part of our life, we were proud of the furniture and brand we were building back then and it’s still exactly the same now. The only thing that has changed is that the idea of legacy is more important than it has ever been. It’s also about the team we’ve built and the designers and makers who share our values. It’s less about bloodlines now and more about a shared sense of care.



IDL: What’s something your relatives put in place with design that is still relevant now? 


BH: Less is more. They understood that proportions and comfort were not negotiable. A sofa should look good, but more importantly, it should feel good and last. There are no shortcuts and no fads. These principles are still at the heart of every Harbro piece today.



IDL: You grew up among foam stacks and offcuts. What did that environment teach you that formal design training perhaps couldn’t?


BH: Not a lot to be honest! For me, that environment was mostly a place to go and have fun, jumping on the foam sheets, drawing all over the loading ramps and riding in the back of the truck with the sofas. However, from a design perspective, our current direction is really based on simple and sophisticated designs and not overdoing it. We endeavour to keep our designs paired back and let the furniture speak for itself.  



IDL: At what point did you feel that Harbro became yours, not just inherited, but shaped by your touch?


BH: Probably around three years after I became Managing Director. I began just helping out with deliveries, as I had some spare time on my hands, and that quickly turned into a passion and a belief that we could create something special and bring Harbro back to life again. My father has always been supportive, letting me get on and do my thing, he’s always had that trust in me, so letting me take the reins and create the new direction was very easy.   



IDL: You work out of Melbourne. How much does the context of place shape what you make?


BH: Place is very influential. Melbourne’s design culture has this energy – it’s eclectic and unapologetically creative – and we try to reflect that in our pieces. In this business, it’s so easy to conform, we see a lot of the same from many brands, for so many its solely about business not creativity. We like to go against the grain; we want something different and unique, the challenge for us is to create the pieces that others want to copy. Being in Melbourne also means we source and make locally, which keeps the soul of the brand authentic.



IDL: How do you approach designing for the broader populace?

BH: By designing for how people live. We think about the little rituals such as curling up with a book on a sofa, napping on a Sunday, and hosting friends who never want to leave. Comfort and function always come first because, at the end of the day, furniture isn’t for showrooms, it’s for living rooms.  



IDL: What’s exciting you about your current work?


BH: We’re super excited about a new piece we’ll be unveiling at Saturday Indesign. We have our current favourites such as Rufus, Doug and Oscar but we’re hoping this new design will fill a gap in our range and receive a good response from designers and architects. Again, it’s based on simple shapes and a really paired back design but it also includes a few more curves and unique module sizes.  



IDL: What kind of legacy are you wanting to build now?


BH: The same legacy my father created, although he may not realise it. We take pride in every piece we make and continue to build great quality furniture and create beautiful designs that are made in Melbourne by our professional and expert team. We’re continuing a legacy where value matters and we always want to become better. One thing we really understand is that comfort and design aren’t opposites, they belong together. 

Harbro has much to offer architects and designers as there is the opportunity to create customised designs, not only choose pieces from within a range. This is a business that is passionate about the detail, the quality and the comfort of everything it makes. It prides itself in creating furniture that will last and with its ethos, Harbro values every client.

Harbro will be participating in Saturday Indesign and is a must-visit showroom in the Richmond precinct.

Harbro
harbro.com.au

Photography
Styled images by Brook James Photography
Product/studio images by Dylan James Photography