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Harbour 1976 and the legacy of local design on the world stage

Since 1976, the Condos family has handcrafted furniture in their Sydney workshop – and since 2008, the Harbour 1976 brand has been a showcase of its mastery of design.

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  • The Sail Collection, From Harbour 1976

The Condos family has design in their blood. From humble beginnings, the family workshop established by Harriet and Jim Condos has grown to become an international lifestyle brand, now known as Harbour 1976.

Jim Condos, a blacksmith from Greece, raised his sons, Harrison and Nicholas on the intricate details of craftsmanship and minimalist design. It was this experience that inspired them to create an export extension of their family business, previously known as Tecno Furniture.

“A love of craftsmanship and obsession with the finer details in a design is what was passed on from the moment we picked up the furniture tools,” the designer brothers say, “It is in our opinion, the reason why our designs stand out from the pack.”

The Balmain 3 Seat Sofa - on display at FRONT - breaks away from traditional square lines and combines a fluid design with organic materials.

The Balmain 3 Seat Sofa – on display at FRONT – breaks away from traditional square lines and combines a fluid design with organic materials.

Thus began Harbour 1976’s debut on the international stage – a modern, minimalist lifestyle brand steeped in a culture that inherently promotes the Australian way of life. Symbolically, the key collections are named after iconic beaches in Australia including Balmoral, Avalon and Hamilton.

“Our hometown plays an important role in our designs,” the Condos brothers continue, “We grew up with the beach at our doorstep and the ocean is a constant source of inspiration in our designs. We really believe in enjoying a space where the indoors and outdoors feel seamless and at one with your natural surroundings.”

The formal launch of Harbour 1976 was on the world stage – the ICFF New York trade show in 2008. And it’s this international scale the business has operated on immediately, a huge feat for a young company.

The Condos empire quickly expanded into retail markets in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Hong Kong, with its head office in Waterloo, Sydney.

Inspired by the lush environment of Hamilton Island, the Hamilton Arm Chair pairs Olephin rope with a vertical silhouette and Harbour’s signature powder-coated frame, available to see at FRONT

Inspired by the lush environment of Hamilton Island, the Hamilton Arm Chair pairs Olephin rope with a vertical silhouette and Harbour’s signature powder-coated frame, available to see at FRONT.

Harbour 1976 prides itself on its genuine and considered design, manufacture and distribution of the entire range. Ensuring quality control throughout every step of the process, the company offers design lovers across the globe a name they can rely on for quality.

Harbour 1976’s signature aesthetic is modern, minimalist and timeless – furniture inspired by the Australian coastal lifestyle, suitable for all homes. Designs rely on simplicity and high-quality materials, including powder-coated aluminium, mildew resistant upholstery and eco-sustainable teak, incredibly durable to withstand the harsh Australian climate. Many pieces are also UV resistant.

“It’s the little things you wouldn’t necessarily notice, but are imperative to the piece, such as the particular way a table’s legs are welded, or the shape of a chair arm,” say Harrison and Nicholas Condos, “It’s all the finer details that separate our furniture from the others and define them as high-quality, luxury outdoor furniture.”

Coming to Australia soon, Harbour 1976 will launch its indoor collection, which will follow the same design principles that have made its outdoor collection a success for over 40 years.

Available to see at FRONT, the Breeze XL Arm Chair offers a lightweight, refreshing touch of style, whether it’s by the beach, or in the courtyard.

Available to see at FRONT, the Breeze XL Arm Chair offers a lightweight, refreshing touch of style, whether it’s by the beach, or in the courtyard.

Knowing the value of great partnerships, the brand will be launching an all-new collaboration with acclaimed painter and artist Martine Emdur – with an original painting on display at FRONT and a further collection available in the Harbour 1976 showroom in Waterloo.

Both Martine Emdur and the Harbour 1976 family share a passion for capturing the beauty of Australia’s beaches in their works. Martine’s underwater paintings coupled with Nicholas and Harrison’s designs work together beautifully to truly submerge you into Australia’s coastal beauty.

To view Harbour’s range, visit www.harbouroutdoor.com.au

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