SHOP OF THE MONTH Visit Leicester’s Harriman & Co for stylish accessories and handcrafted furniture
Established in Leicester’s old town in 2014 by Drew Harriman and partner James, Harriman & Co offers carefully sourced furniture and homeware as well as beautiful, functional pieces crafted in their nearby workshop. Drew tells us more…
HOW DID YOUR JOURNEY BEGIN?
After living in New Zealand and Australia for more than ten years, I returned home for a brief visit. As fate would have it, James and I were introduced and within the space of a few weeks both came to realise that I wouldn’t be returning to Australia! I was surprised to find that Leicester had very few design-led homeware stores, and having always dreamed of opening my own, it seemed like the perfect time to take a leap of faith and set up shop. After a search of the local area, I found a great space in Leicester’s old town, close to the cathedral. With the benefit of James’s shared dream of owning a shop and his business know-how, Harriman & Co opened its doors in 2014.
WHAT CAN VISITORS EXPECT TO FIND AT HARRIMAN & CO?
An ever-changing collection of furniture and homeware, together with the scent of natural candles and plant-based body care ranges we stock. And a smile and a warm welcome, of course! We sell a great selection of locally made ceramics, textiles, prints and stationery too, alongside the furniture made in our workshop. You’ll also find utility brushes and household goods, baskets, Fairtrade rugs, vintage kilims, quirky furniture pieces, mirrors and lighting, all sourced from across the world. Everything has been selected for its authenticity, classic design and function in modern homes.
TELL US ABOUT THE FURNITURE PIECES YOU CREATE…
I collaborate with my father Harry to design a range of stools, tables, benches, mirrors and bespoke items, all of which are handmade by him in our workshop in a contemporary, rustic style. We’ve been lucky enough to source beautiful English oak from a private country estate in Leicestershire. And nothing goes to waste – we use off-cuts to make items such as serving boards and coasters.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE ETHOS OF THE STORE?
Thoughtful design and simple functional objects with a natural, nostalgic feel. Long-lasting, organic materials are important to us too, whether that’s glass, timber, stoneware, ceramic or metal. And if the object captures a sense of history yet still fits in the modern home, so much the better.
DO YOU HAVE ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS SO FAR?
Only six months after opening, King Richard III passed by the shop during his reburial service. That’s certainly not something you see every day! The procession was on its way to the king’s reinternment at Leicester Cathedral after he’d spent a few hundred years under a local council car park. We’re a stone’s throw from the King Richard III Visitor Centre, so we have welcomed a steady stream of Ricardians and tourists ever since.