Our story — Meet Rachael
I spent ten years as a mechanical engineer, first in Perth and later in northern Sydney, working primarily on precision tooling for the mining sector. Most of my days were spent chasing tolerances down to fractions of millimetres. It was rewarding, but after a while, I started noticing how often I’d come home and wish for something more tactile, more immediate. Fixing mechanical problems is satisfying, but I kept wondering what it’d be like to work with my hands on something you could actually touch and enjoy every day.
What really pushed me to make a change was a problem I kept running into in my own home. I needed storage pieces and furniture that fit odd spaces but also didn’t fall apart after a year. Off-the-shelf solutions just weren’t cutting it, and custom options were either too expensive or not quite what I wanted. One particularly frustrating afternoon, I remember thinking: “Surely I can do better than this.” I started playing around in my garage, experimenting with reclaimed pine and old jigs I’d built for completely unrelated projects.
By late 2017, I’d made a few pieces my friends wouldn’t stop asking about, like a simple coffee table for our living room that solved a very specific height problem. That’s when the idea clicked. I took some savings and bought my first proper load of local pine from a timber yard near Mount Compass, about 30 kilometres from Goolwa. I rented a small workshop space and invested in a second-hand jointer and a couple of clamps. Harlow Quill officially launched in early 2018 with a single product—a basic but sturdy basket set I wove myself—listed on an online market.
These days, we’re still based in Goolwa and make everything in-house in our workshop. Every product starts as a solution to a real problem, whether it’s storage, entertaining, or just finding something that holds up to use. We’ve grown to a small team and expanded our range, but I still keep an eye on every new design to make sure it’s practical and well-made. That engineer’s brain of mine hasn’t gone away, and I’d say it’s one of our biggest strengths.
— Thanks for keeping us building — Rachael, Rachael Louise Wheeler
Journal
How I Misjudged Willow Weaving Tolerances
Turns out, not all willow is created equal — a lesson I learned the hard way with our basket set.
When I started making the Woven Willow Basket Set, I assumed willow was willow. It grows, you cut it, it bends. Simple, right? Except when it isn’t. I’d sourced a batch from a grower near Berri in the Riverland, which I’d heard was good for long, straight whips. The quality was fine, but something about the fibre just... fought me. I was getting splits every two or three weaves, which ruined the flow and wasted material. Frustrating.
It took me two days (and a lot of swearing) to realise what was going on. The willow wasn’t cured long enough. For weaving, you need the moisture content just right — around 12-15%. Too dry, it’ll snap. Too green, and it shrinks after it dries, loosening the structure. Mine was sitting at about 20%. Rookie mistake on my part.
After that mess, I bought a hygrometer — a proper one, not just guesswork. I also learned that different regions produce different tolerances. Riverland willow comes in thicker and retains water differently compared to willow from Gippsland, for example. Knowing that now, I adjust my soak times accordingly. I also built a drying rack so I can cure it myself, which feels like overkill but saves headaches.
If you’ve got one of our baskets, there’s a good chance it involved at least one batch that went through this overly elaborate system. It might be invisible to you, but for me, the tolerances have to stack up just right. A reinforced rim isn’t just for looks — it’s there to hold shape if your basket ends up storing heavy things like firewood or spuds.
I sometimes think I make things too difficult for myself, but then I look at the finished basket. It holds its shape properly, no rattling, no warping. And I know it’s made for real life.
Autumn and the Bamboo Platter on Repeat
Late autumn in Goolwa means figs, local cheeses, and, for me, the bamboo platter getting overused.
I love this time of year. By late autumn, the markets here are full of figs, early mandarins, and those ridiculous soft cheeses that immediately melt the second you cut them. For some reason, I always go overboard when buying food. This is why we made the bamboo platter big enough to handle family gatherings — and the mess I create when I’m ‘just grazing’.
The platter is 350mm wide, which sounds like a lot until you start piling on a wheel of brie, some vine leaves, a row of crackers, and your token vegetable sticks (to feel better about the brie). The bamboo handles weight well, and I’ve tested to make sure it won’t warp or bow when you’re moving it around. I’ve carried 3.2kg of food on one — yes, I weighed it. Science.
I’m also a bit smug about the finish. It’s sanded to a smooth 240 grit, which doesn’t sound like a big deal until you realise how annoying splinters can be when prepping food. There’s no finish or lacquer, which means you can oil it with whatever suits your kitchen. I like grapeseed oil because it’s light and neutral.
One thing to remember is that bamboo doesn’t love standing water. I left one soaking overnight by accident, and it took two full days to dry properly. So wipe it down after use, and if you’re washing it, just stand it on its edge to dry. It’s not high-maintenance, just... sensible maintenance, really.
Anyway, I’m off to slice some persimmons and dig out the platter again. If I keep this up, I might need to make myself a backup one.
Finding the Clay for the Sienna Vase
Not every pottery village is picturesque — sourcing clay for the Sienna Vase involved a lot of industrial backroads.
I get a lot of compliments on the Sienna Ceramic Vase’s colour, but no one ever asks where it actually comes from. Not the design, but the clay. The short answer is northern Adelaide. The long answer involves me wandering through a clay depot in Wingfield, dodging forklifts.
The clay I use is a terracotta blend that fires to a warm, reddish-brown. I’d love to say I hand-dug it from some scenic hillside, but honestly, it’s from a supplier called Adelaide Pottery Supplies. They source theirs locally, mostly from the Lefevre Peninsula, and it’s consistent — which is all I care about. It’s screened to 100 mesh, meaning the particles are fine enough for smooth finishes but still hold character without looking mass-produced.
Terracotta isn’t forgiving. If you overfire by even 10°C, it can warp or crack. I fire the Sienna Vase at 1020°C for its bisque stage and 1160°C for the glaze. Both are low/mid-range temps because any higher, and the terracotta starts to vitrify, losing that earthy, matte tone that makes it special. You can’t wing these details — well, you can, but then you end up with a lot of shards.
One hiccup I ran into was with colour consistency. Even though the clay is technically uniform, slight mineral variations between batches can shift the red tone. So now, I test-fire a small piece from every 25kg bag before making a new batch of vases. If it’s too orange, I adjust the glaze mix to compensate. It’s a bit fiddly but worth it.
Some people might look at the vase and think, ‘It’s just a cylinder with a flared neck.’ For me, it’s hours of testing, mixing, and hoping the kiln gods are in a good mood.
Rustic Pine Table and April’s Workshop Logbook
April’s workshop was all about the pine table — and whether I could simplify the joint cuts.
The Rustic Pine Coffee Table might look straightforward, but my workshop notes from April say otherwise. I keep a logbook for everything I make, and this month’s entries are full of me trying (and failing) to shave time off the joinery. Spoiler: I didn’t succeed.
The table is built around a classic mortise-and-tenon joint because it’s strong enough to hold up to daily use. I could’ve used pocket screws or biscuits, but they don’t age as well. The issue is, mortises take time. Cutting six per table doesn’t sound bad until you’re doing it repeatedly. I tried using a router jig to speed it up, but it left chatter marks in the slots. Back to the chisel.
The pine itself is a mix of Radiata and Baltic, both sourced from a mill in Mount Gambier. Radiata grows like a weed here, so it’s supply-driven, which keeps costs reasonable. Baltic pine is slower-growing and tighter-grained, which is why you usually see it in better furniture. I use it for the tabletops — it’s more resistant to dents and takes a finish beautifully.
For finishing, I’m sticking with a beeswax-tung oil mix. It’s low-sheen, which suits the ‘rustic’ tag better than high-gloss polyurethane. Plus, it’s easier to refresh down the line. The wood absorbs the oil in about 4 hours, so it’s not an overnight job, but if you’ve spent 8+ hours cutting joints by hand, what’s another day?
I’ll keep fiddling with the process. Not because I’m unhappy with the result, but because that’s what I do. There’s always something to tweak, some little inefficiency to stamp out. April’s logbook is just the latest proof of that.
Customer reviews
Emily T. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-03-15 — 5/5
Perfect for organising
I bought the Woven Willow Basket Set for my living room, and they’re exactly what I was looking for. Delivery was quick, and the baskets feel sturdy.
James M. — Newtown, NSW — 2025-01-10 — 4/5
Lovely vase
The Sienna Ceramic Vase is stunning and works well with dried flowers. It took a little longer to arrive than I expected, but it was worth the wait.
Sophia L. — Paddington, QLD — 2024-08-28 — 5/5
Great for hosting
The Bamboo Serving Platter is both lightweight and sturdy. It arrived faster than expected, and I’ve already used it a dozen times for entertaining.
Aaron P. — South Melbourne, VIC — 2024-11-02 — 5/5
Fantastic coffee table
The Rustic Pine Coffee Table exceeded my expectations. It’s solid and exactly the right size for my space. Delivery was seamless.
Mia G. — Bondi, NSW — 2024-05-19 — 4/5
Soft and cosy
The Organic Cotton Throw Blanket is incredibly soft. It’s perfect for chilly evenings. My only feedback is that I’d like more colour options.
Mark H. — Norwood, SA — 2025-02-03 — 5/5
Second purchase, still impressed
This is my second Rustic Pine Coffee Table. The craftsmanship is consistent, and the delivery was quicker than the first time.
Olivia K. — Darwin, NT — 2024-09-14 — 5/5
Stylish and functional
The Woven Willow Basket Set is perfect for my laundry room. They fit neatly on shelves and look great too. Quick delivery to NT!
Liam C. — Hobart, TAS — 2024-12-22 — 4/5
Lovely design
The Sienna Ceramic Vase is a beautiful addition to my dining table. I would appreciate more size options though.
Returns
We offer a 30-day return policy in line with Australian Consumer Law. For an item to be eligible for return, it must be unused, in its original packaging, and include proof of purchase. Customers are responsible for return shipping costs unless the item is faulty.
Exclusions apply to custom orders, sale items, or products that show signs of use. If you’re unsure whether your item qualifies for a return, please contact our support team before sending it back. Faulty or damaged items are assessed individually.
Refunds are processed within 5 business days of receiving the returned item. Depending on your payment method, it may take an additional few days for the refund to appear in your account. Please get in touch with any questions about the process.