Our story — Meet Christine
In 2018, I left Sydney after 27 years in corporate HR. My husband and I had been dreaming about a slower life for a while, and we finally made the move to Margaret River. We'd always loved the region — the coastline, the wine, the sense of community. Downsizing was part of the plan, and we sold most of what we owned before heading west. But once we arrived, I realised something was missing. I wanted to create a space that felt layered and grounded, using things that were practical but still beautiful.
Before this, my days were full of schedules and spreadsheets. I never thought much about the objects in my home, to be honest. But living in Margaret River shifted my perspective. I started noticing the little things — the weight of a wooden board, the texture of a good blanket. It reminded me of my grandparents’ house in Newcastle, where everything had a purpose and a story. That’s when I started thinking seriously about how to merge my corporate skills with something tactile and fulfilling.
Harrow Goods started in 2020 with a single item: a simple cedarwood candle. I made a batch of 40 in my kitchen and sold them at the Margaret River Farmers Market. They sold out in the first morning. From there, I started working with local suppliers and ramping up production. The acacia we use for our boards comes from a mill just up the road in Busselton. Every new product is something I've personally tested in my own home. If it doesn’t work for me, it doesn’t go on the website.
These days, Harrow Goods is still run from our property in Margaret River. I pack orders myself most mornings — usually with one of my two kelpies snoozing nearby. What started as a way to slow down has turned into a business that keeps me connected to my community, both locally and beyond. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
— Thanks for letting me share this with you — Christine, Christine Gonzales
Journal
Meeting the People Behind Our Cedarwood
A visit to our Cedarwood supplier in Albany taught me more than I expected about patience and climate.
I drove down to Albany a few weeks ago to visit the family behind the cedarwood oil in our aromatherapy candles. They’ve been distilling oils from native and plantation timber for over 20 years now. Their property is tucked into a valley, where the air already smelled faintly herbal before I even stepped inside the distillery. It’s a small operation — just a few people, a lot of stainless steel tanks, and a very clever dog named Frankie who supervises everything.
One thing I didn’t fully appreciate before that trip was how long it takes to produce a single litre of cedarwood oil. They walked me through the process, and it turns out you need 400-500kg of raw wood to extract just one litre. That’s weeks of chopping, drying, distilling, and refining — all while keeping an eye on the weather, because humidity can throw the whole thing off.
Hearing about their challenges made me think about how disconnected we can get from the origins of what we buy. I’ve burnt plenty of candles in my life without once wondering about where the oil came from, or who made it. It’s humbling to see up close the work that goes into something so seemingly simple as a good cedarwood scent.
Albany itself was a reminder of how much this region depends on people like them — small producers who are quietly doing their bit while the rest of us are busy with other things. I left with a car smelling faintly of woodsmoke and cedar oil after they handed me a little sample bottle, which has since taken pride of place in my studio.
I’ll be burning one of our candles tonight, and thinking about Frankie the dog, who sat quietly beside me while we had tea by the distillery. He had a way of looking at you like he knew exactly what kind of day you’d had.
Three Ways I Use My Bamboo Linen Throw
Mid-winter in Margaret River means finding a dozen uses for a single good throw blanket.
The bamboo linen throw blanket has probably been my most-used item this winter, mostly because I’m someone who is always cold. But the thing about a throw is that it’s more than just a blanket — it’s one of those objects that ends up moving around the house with you, like a good book or a favourite mug.
Lately, mine’s been living on the sofa because I work from there more often than I used to admit. One of the nice things about bamboo linen is how it feels against the skin — sort of cool at first, but it warms up quickly without getting heavy. It’s the perfect thing to pull over your lap when you’ve got a laptop balanced on your knees.
It’s also been my go-to when I head out for weekend picnics. Margaret River has no shortage of spots to park yourself for an afternoon, but even in the middle of the day it can get chilly if you’re sitting on damp grass. The throw’s generous size (roughly 1.8m x 1.3m) means there’s usually enough space for both me and the cheese board.
At the end of the day, it usually ends up back in the bedroom, draped over the foot of the bed. It’s light enough to layer on top of the duvet without making the whole thing feel suffocating. There’s something grounding about the texture of linen when everything else around you feels synthetic. It reminds me of the sheets my mum used to hang on the line in Perth winters — always faintly crisp no matter how warm the day got.
I keep telling myself I’ll use it less once spring arrives, but I know that’s a lie. There’s no such thing as retiring a good blanket — it just adapts to the season.
How We Pack Our Acacia Wood Cheese Boards
The deceptively simple process of packing our cheese boards involves layers of paper, tape, and a bit of strategy.
From the outside, the cheese board set looks like it’s just a simple box. But when you’re the one packing them, it’s a different story entirely. Each board comes with a set of four stainless steel tools, which means there’s the added joy of making sure nothing rattles in transit. Once, a friend joked that packaging these sets must feel like assembling flat-pack furniture. They weren’t wrong.
The boards themselves are made from acacia wood — a tough but dense material that holds up beautifully over time but doesn’t love being banged around. When I first started shipping them, I made the mistake of using plain bubble wrap, which wasn’t quite enough. One rogue courier later, I was unpacking returns with chipped edges and bent cheese knives.
Now, we use a combination of paper padding and corrugated cardboard inserts to keep everything snug. Each box takes about 3-4 minutes to pack properly, which doesn’t sound like much until you’re staring down a table of 50 orders. There’s an oddly satisfying rhythm to it, though. By the time you’ve done ten, you’ve figured out exactly how much tape to use and where to fold the corners.
One thing I’ve learned is that even the best packing materials can’t make up for a careless toss. I’ve started leaving little handwritten notes inside each box — just a quick ‘thanks for supporting us’ message. Partly because it feels good to connect with the person opening it, but also because people seem to instinctively treat things more gently when they know someone’s put in extra effort.
By the end of a packing week, I usually find myself dreaming about cheese boards in strange places — stacked up in my kitchen or floating down the Margaret River. Occupational hazard, I guess.
What Autumn Teaches Me About Space
Living smaller has made me notice the seasonal shifts in Margaret River in a sharper way.
Autumn in Margaret River sneaks up on you. One day you’re having dinner outside without a jacket, and the next you’re pulling on socks first thing in the morning. Downsizing to this smaller house has forced me to notice those changes more closely — there’s something about living with less that makes every little shift feel bigger.
When I was in the city, autumn mostly meant rearranging wardrobes. Here, it’s more about what you can smell and hear. The woodsmoke from neighbours’ fires, the wind picking up at night, and the first real rains hitting the roof. There’s a particular kind of damp earth smell that comes with those first rains, like the land is exhaling after holding its breath all summer.
Running this business means I spend a lot of time thinking about objects and spaces. What fits, what doesn’t, what’s worth holding onto. Autumn feels a bit like nature’s version of a clear-out — old leaves dropping to make room for something new. I’ve started thinking about all the things I own in that way too. A throw blanket that gets dragged to every corner of the house feels more valuable than a dozen things that just sit on a shelf.
The garden’s been looking particularly wild this year. I haven’t had much time to prune, which means the kangaroo paw’s gone berserk and there’s parsley popping up in corners where I didn’t plant it. I’ve started treating it less like a garden and more like a reflection of how life actually feels — a little unruly, a bit unpredictable, but thriving in unexpected ways.
By the time April rolls around, I’m usually ready for the early darkness and cooler nights. It feels like the world is slowing down just enough to catch up with itself. I’m trying to do the same.
Customer reviews
Emily V. — Fremantle, WA — 2024-09-12 — 5/5
Beautiful throw blanket
I ordered the Bamboo Linen Throw Blanket, and it’s perfect for chilly evenings. The texture is light but warm, and it arrived quicker than I thought.
James K. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-07-08 — 4/5
Solid cheese board
The Acacia Wood Cheese Board Set is sturdy and looks great on the table. A good buy! Delivery took a bit longer than expected, though.
Sarah L. — Brunswick, VIC — 2025-01-03 — 5/5
Planter perfection
Love the Ceramic Planter Pot with Stand! It fits perfectly in my living room. Packaging was secure, and it arrived without a scratch.
Tom W. — Paddington, QLD — 2024-11-20 — 4/5
Nice candle
The Cedarwood Aromatherapy Candle has a subtle scent that’s very relaxing. I wish it lasted a bit longer for the price.
Rachel N. — Adelaide CBD, SA — 2024-12-15 — 5/5
Practical water bottle
The Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle has been my go-to for work. Keeps water cold for hours! Shipping was quick and hassle-free.
Liam B. — Northcote, VIC — 2025-02-10 — 5/5
Stylish cheese board
I bought the Acacia Wood Cheese Board Set for a dinner party, and it was a hit! Good size and easy to clean.
Holly P. — Hobart, TAS — 2024-06-18 — 5/5
Great gift idea
Got the Ceramic Planter Pot with Stand as a gift for a friend. They loved it, and it arrived nicely packaged.
Alex R. — Manly, NSW — 2024-08-25 — 4/5
Decent water bottle
The Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle does the job well. No leaks and keeps drinks cool. Could use more colour options.
Shipping
We ship Australia-wide using Australia Post for standard delivery and StarTrack for express orders. Standard delivery typically takes 3-7 business days depending on your location, while express delivery is usually 1-3 business days. Orders placed before 2pm AEST on weekdays will be dispatched the same day.
Shipping is free for orders over $100. Orders under this amount will incur a flat shipping fee at checkout, calculated based on your location and shipping method. All prices include GST, and you’ll receive tracking information once your order is shipped.
We ensure your items are packed securely to prevent damage during transit. If your order arrives damaged or incomplete, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photos and details so we can assist you promptly.
Returns
We offer a 30-day return window for most items, in line with Australian Consumer Law. Items must be unused, in their original condition, and include all packaging. If these conditions are met, you can choose between a refund, exchange, or store credit.
Certain items like sale products, gift cards, and used items are non-returnable unless there's a defect. Returns due to change of mind require the customer to cover shipping costs back to us. We recommend using a trackable service as we can’t guarantee receipt without tracking.
Once we receive and inspect your return, we’ll process your refund within 5 business days. Please note that refunds will be issued to your original payment method. For any issues, our team is here to assist—contact us via email or phone.