Our story — Meet Callum
Back in 2013, I was working as a mechanical engineer in Perth. My job revolved around solving practical problems with precise tools and processes, and I thought I was pretty good at it. But, for some reason, at home, I could never seem to find storage options that did what I needed them to do. Baskets would buckle, shelves would sag, and nothing ever seemed to fit the space properly. One weekend, after yet another attempt to fix a broken laundry basket handle, I started sketching a better design. That was the seed of what eventually became Harlow Quill.
Before this, I’d never considered myself much of a maker. My time off was spent hiking the trails around the Perth Hills or tinkering on my old Hilux. But once I started building prototypes for storage solutions, I realised how much I enjoyed working with my hands. It was a completely different challenge from engineering — no manuals, no existing systems to rely on. Those early designs were rough, but they worked. By 2015, I had a stack of sketches and a shed full of tools, and I started thinking seriously about whether this could be more than just a hobby.
In 2016, I relocated to Goolwa, SA, to be closer to my partner's family. It was there, in a rented workshop just outside of town, that I officially launched Harlow Quill. The first range included a storage basket, a coffee table, and a basic wall shelf, all built with materials I sourced from local suppliers in the Fleurieu Peninsula. I spent months testing everything, making jigs to ensure consistent dimensions, and figuring out how to get the tolerances just right. When I sold my first 20 pieces at a market in Victor Harbor, it felt like everything had clicked into place.
These days, Harlow Quill runs out of a larger workshop here in Goolwa. There are three of us now, and we still make everything in small batches, sticking to the principles that got us here: practical designs, durable materials, and a focus on solving real problems. Every product we create starts with a question: 'What’s not working, and how do we fix it?' — Callum
— Fixing the little things that drive you mad — Callum, Callum Redman
Journal
The Tolerances of a Perfect Basket
Designing a willow basket sounds simple until you realise how much hinges on consistency — and stubborn willow branches.
When I started work on the Woven Willow Basket Set, I thought it’d be a relaxing departure from some of the more technical woodworking I’d been doing. Spoiler: it wasn’t. Willows don’t care about your plans or measurements. The first few attempts ended in frustration, with either the weave too tight and cracking or too loose and sagging. That’s when I realised I needed a jig — or rather, several jigs, if I wanted consistent results.
The critical one is a circular frame I made from marine plywood, with dowels positioned every 10 degrees to guide the uprights. It took three tries to get the spacing right — 1mm too wide, and the weave wouldn’t hold its tension; 1mm too narrow, and you’d break the branches trying to fit them. But once the jig was sorted, everything clicked into place.
The willow itself comes from a farmer near Strathalbyn. He grows Crack Willow, a variety that bends beautifully when soaked overnight. Each branch has to be stripped, cut to length, and bundled by thickness before weaving begins. It’s tedious, but it means the baskets stack perfectly and can take some real wear. If you’ve ever seen one of those cheap ones that collapse under a load of lemons, you’ll know why I fuss over this.
I’ve kept one of the early baskets — the one that leans like it’s been through a windstorm. It’s a good reminder of what happens when you try to rush or skip steps. These days, with the right tools and a bit of patience, I can make a set in about five hours. That’s still not fast, but it’s consistent, and I’ll take that over speed any day.
The best part? Seeing how people actually use them. I’ve had photos sent in where they’re holding kids’ toys, kindling, or even a cat snoozing in one. They weren’t designed for cats, but I suppose that’s not up to me.
Ceramics, Mess, and Margins
The Sienna Ceramic Vase began as an experiment with slip casting — here's where it went right and wrong.
I’ll be honest: ceramics wasn’t my strong suit when I started on the Sienna Ceramic Vase. I’d done some slip casting during a TAFE course, but nothing this ambitious. The idea was to create something that felt organic, with a texture that hinted at the clay’s origins. The first hurdle? Slip consistency. Too thin, and it wouldn’t hold shape. Too thick, and it wouldn’t settle into the mould. After about nine tries (and a lot of clay down the drain), I found the sweet spot at a specific gravity of 1.75.
I sourced the clay locally from Adelaide’s Pottery Supplies Co. They’ve got a beautiful terracotta mix that’s rich in iron and fires into a warm, earthy tone. It pairs well with the matte glaze I developed — which, by the way, was another rabbit hole. I wanted a glaze with just enough sheen to highlight the texture but matte enough to avoid that cheap, glossy look. Achieving that balance meant tweaking the silica content by 2% and firing at a lower cone temperature.
One of the biggest challenges was keeping the edges clean. The rim of the vase is where imperfections stand out the most, and slip casting loves to leave seams. I built a small trimming jig that holds the vase steady at the perfect angle while I sand the edges after the bisque firing. If you’ve ever tried sanding ceramics, you’ll know it’s like trying to file glass — slow and messy but worth it.
The final dimensions might seem arbitrary, but they’re deliberate. At 18cm tall and 9cm wide, the vases are balanced enough to sit snugly on a narrow shelf without tipping over. I tested this by lining up ten on a wobbly card table and bumping into it. All of them stayed put, though I don’t recommend trying this at home.
Now that they’re out in the world, I still smile every time I spot one in a photo. It’s weirdly satisfying to see the same vase I laboured over holding eucalyptus sprigs or dried kangaroo paw. Messy process, tidy outcome.
Pine Coffee Tables and Summer Crickets
January in Goolwa means long evenings with the shed doors open — and a cricket soundtrack for the Rustic Pine Coffee Table.
The Rustic Pine Coffee Table was the first piece of furniture I built specifically for Harlow Quill. It’s also the piece I’ve made most often, which means I’ve spent a lot of summer evenings sanding pine planks in the shed. There’s something oddly meditative about it, even with the crickets competing with the hum of the orbital sander.
The pine comes from a mill just outside Mount Gambier. It’s plantation-grown Radiata Pine, which isn’t fancy, but it’s affordable and easy to work with. I get the planks rough-sawn, and each table uses about 1.8 metres of timber once you account for waste. Most of that waste ends up as kindling, which means there’s usually a basket of offcuts by the wood heater.
I don’t use traditional joinery here, mostly because it doesn’t suit the style. Instead, the table relies on pocket screws and glue for the structure, with dowel plugs to hide the screw heads. The top gets a coat of natural oil, which brings out the grain and gives it some moisture protection. I like to think of it as a table that doesn’t demand too much attention — it just gets on with the job.
This time of year, everything takes a bit longer to dry. Humidity in Goolwa hovers around 75% in January, which means I’m usually testing finishes on scrap pieces to check dry times. Even then, the oil sometimes needs 48 hours before it’s safe to handle. That’s fine by me; it’s a good excuse to sit outside and watch the tide come in while I wait.
I love how unpretentious this table is. People tell me they’ve used it for everything from board games to potting indoor plants. One woman said her kids turned it into a cubby with a blanket thrown over it. It’s the sort of furniture that just fits into whatever life you’re living, and that’s what I hoped for when I started sketching it out.
A Platter Built for Autumn Grazing
Autumn in SA is grazing season — the Bamboo Serving Platter has earned its spot at many an Adelaide Hills picnic.
Autumn’s always felt like grazing season to me. The Adelaide Hills are cooling down, the vineyards are a patchwork of golds and reds, and everyone seems to be sharing cheese and crackers. It’s also the time when the Eco-Friendly Bamboo Serving Platter gets the most use — at least according to the photos people send in.
Bamboo was an easy choice for this product. It’s lightweight but strong, and I liked the idea of using something renewable that didn’t compromise on durability. These platters are made from laminated strips of Moso bamboo sourced through a supplier in Melbourne. Each platter starts as a blank slab, which I cut and shape on the CNC router in the shed. The handles are routed out separately to keep the edges crisp and splinter-free.
Finishing is where things get interesting. Unlike hardwoods, bamboo has a tight grain that doesn’t soak up oil the same way. I tested five different finishes before settling on a food-safe tung oil blend. It takes two coats, with a light sanding in between to remove any raised fibres. The result is a surface that’s smooth but not slippery — ideal for keeping grapes or crackers in place.
The largest platter in the set is 40cm long, which might seem excessive until you see it filled with food. I tested the capacity by making one of those grazing boards you see on Instagram: three cheeses, two dips, a pile of crackers, and more olives than I’d planned. It all fit, and the platter didn’t even flex when I lifted it. That’s the beauty of bamboo — plenty of strength without the bulk.
Now that the leaves are falling and the days are shortening, I’m looking forward to taking one of these platters out to a hillside with a bottle of Clare Valley red. It’s nice to know that something I designed is part of those kinds of moments for other people too.
Customer reviews
Emma G. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-03-12 — 5/5
Loved the throw blanket
I ordered the Organic Cotton Throw Blanket, and it’s incredibly soft. Delivery to Melbourne was faster than expected. Will buy again.
Michael T. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-05-08 — 4/5
Basket set is great
The Woven Willow Basket Set is both functional and stylish. One basket had a small mark, but customer service was quick to respond and help.
Sophie H. — Marrickville, NSW — 2025-01-20 — 5/5
Gorgeous vase
The Sienna Ceramic Vase looks beautiful on my dining table. It arrived safely, packed really well, and on time!
James R. — Paddington, QLD — 2024-09-15 — 5/5
Perfect for hosting
The Bamboo Serving Platter is a hit at every gathering. Lightweight yet sturdy. Delivery was smooth. Would recommend.
Amelia K. — Norwood, SA — 2024-11-02 — 4/5
Rustic but solid
The Rustic Pine Coffee Table is exactly what I wanted for my living room. It had a slight scent of varnish at first, but it faded quickly.
Liam P. — South Melbourne, VIC — 2024-07-06 — 5/5
A great addition
I’m so happy with the Organic Cotton Throw Blanket. It keeps me warm without feeling heavy. Delivery was quick and hassle-free.
Olivia B. — Hobart, TAS — 2024-12-18 — 5/5
Basket set for storage
The Woven Willow Basket Set is perfect for organising my space. Shipped quickly and in excellent condition.
Daniel F. — Bondi, NSW — 2025-03-14 — 4/5
Beautiful vase
The Sienna Ceramic Vase is stunning. It arrived a day late but was worth the wait. Great addition to my home.
Returns
We aim to make returns simple. You can return items within 30 days of receiving them, provided they’re unused, in original packaging, and accompanied by proof of purchase. Exclusions, such as sale items and gift cards, apply.
To start a return, email us at info@harlowquill.com.au. Once approved, you’ll receive instructions on returning the item. Return shipping costs are the customer’s responsibility, except in cases of defective or damaged items.
Refunds are processed within 5 business days of receiving your return. Please note that refunds are issued back to your original payment method. Our policy complies with Australian Consumer Law, so please reach out if you believe your product isn’t as described or fit for purpose.