When you walk into a brand new kitchen, you can usually tell if it’s been slapped together quickly or crafted with genuine care. And for more than 30 years, Harrington Kitchens has made it their business to get the “care” part right.

Going from modest beginnings in a home office to becoming one of the most trusted kitchen specialists in the Southern Highlands and Macarthur regions, founder Mark Clarke has built a business grounded in craftsmanship, and old-fashioned family values.

“It began as my dream,” Mark says. “I had three young kids and a big mortgage. This was a big drive!”

Harrington Kitchens aha moment

Mark was working in the wardrobe industry when opportunity knocked. He put his hand up to design a couple of kitchens… and everything changed.

“I quickly realised I enjoyed the creativity and design side of kitchens far more than wardrobes,” he says.

But it wasn’t just creativity calling. Mark spotted a gap in the market that he thought he could fill.

“I noticed that while many people were getting wardrobes and kitchens done together, the level of service, honesty, and care in the kitchen market just wasn’t the same. That was my lightbulb moment.”

He saw the chance to offer a better experience for families and decided to take it.

The home office hustle

Every founder remembers the early days. For most, it’s a time of hard graft: late nights, and wearing every possible hat. For Mark, that couldn’t be more literal.

“In the early days, I ran the business from a small home office, designing, manufacturing, selling, and installing every kitchen myself,” he says.

He even turned his own home into a showroom. “I built a display kitchen in my own home so customers could come and see my work firsthand.”

When clients hesitated to trust the new bloke on the block, Mark backed himself by removing the risk entirely.

“I offered to do jobs with no payment up front. They only paid once the job was finished and they were completely happy.”

To this day, that core principle remains firmly in place.

“While we now take small down payments to secure each project, our final payment is still only due once the kitchen is complete and our clients are fully satisfied.”

Slow and steady wins the race

Unlike startup stories fuelled by viral moments or overnight success, Harrington Kitchens grew the old-fashioned way.

“There wasn’t one big break, it was slow, steady, and organic,” Mark says. “Each project helped us learn and grow.”

As families began sharing their experiences with friends and neighbours, the phones kept ringing. Word of mouth did a lot of the heavy lifting. And Mark soon found it was the best kind of applause for a business built on quality.

“What kept me going then and still drives us today is simple: we genuinely care. Every kitchen is built with pride.”

Passing the baton to the next generation

As Harrington Kitchens evolved, so did the Clarke family’s involvement. Mark’s eldest son, James, started at the bottom, literally sweeping factory floors. However, it wasn’t long before he started to rise through the ranks, taking out Apprentice of the Year in NSW and, years later, assuming the role of General Manager.

“He’s taken everything we built and helped evolve it with fresh ideas and technology,” Mark says. “Working side by side with him has been incredibly rewarding.”

Mark tells Business Builders that it’s a partnership built on mutual respect. The traditional and the modern working together seamlessly.

“We trust each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I trust James’ innovation and leadership, and he feeds off my experience and customer focus.”

And if the occasional disagreement pops up?

“We communicate openly and always keep the same goal in mind… And if it ever gets tricky… well, I still get the final say for now!”

Business built differently

Anyone who’s been through a reno knows that the kitchen game is full of cheap flat-packs, outsourcing, and shortcuts, but Harrington Kitchens proudly stays hands-on.

“Harrington Kitchens is a family-run business with over 30 years of experience crafting beautifully designed custom kitchens and bespoke joinery,” Mark explains.

“We handle everything in-house, from design and manufacturing to painting and installation. Ensuring quality and care at every step.”

Every kitchen is thoughtfully tailored, from cabinetry lines to benchtop finishes, to suit the lifestyle, space, and personality of each client.

“At Harrington Kitchens, no two kitchens are ever the same. Each one embodies our core values: quality, honesty, and craftsmanship.”

It’s about building something functional and stylish, but there’s also something deeper at play.

“Beyond just cooking, we design spaces where families can gather, unwind, and enjoy life’s moments: a place where memories are made.”

Family values that carry weight

The Clarke family’s way of doing business is built on integrity, care, and commitment, and this ethos flows through the entire team.

“We believe in doing the right thing, every time, for our clients, our staff, and our suppliers,” Mark says.

That approach has paid off in loyalty all around. Many of their team members have stuck around for over 15 years, and customers routinely come back when they move house or renovate again.

Treat people well, and they’ll stick by you. It’s simple adage.

The highs and lows of business

Like many small businesses, Harrington Kitchens has faced its fair share of curveballs, particularly given the business’s longevity. Two, in particular, stand out: the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19.

“We overcame both by listening to experts, making logical and ethical decisions, and standing by our team,” Mark says. “We didn’t panic, we adapted.”

Keeping a steady hand during the chaos helped them weather the storm stronger than before.

“Having a loyal, hardworking team made all the difference.”

Mark can point to countless moments over the years that make him smile: earning his full Kitchen and Bathroom Renovators Licence, seeing James take charge, and hearing delighted customers rave about their new kitchens.

But it’s the Harrington Kitchen reputation that really fills him with pride.

“Knowing we’ve built one of the most trusted reputations in the Southern Highlands and Macarthur regions is something I’m deeply proud of.”

Australia’s Favourite Family Business finalist

Earlier this year, Harrington Kitchens was named a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business 2025, a recognition Mark says means the world to the whole team.

“It’s an incredible honour,” he says. “To be recognised among so many amazing Australian family businesses is something we’re truly proud of.”

For Mark, the nomination reflects “decades of hard work, long hours, and passion, ” and for James and the team, it’s a celebration of what they’ve all helped build.

“It’s a reminder that doing things the right way, with care and integrity, truly matters.”

Startup advice

If he could offer one piece of advice to families thinking of starting a business together, Mark shoots straight from the hip:

“Be honest. Be ethical. Always. Treat your customers and staff with the same respect you expect yourself. Stay consistent in your product, your values, and your why. Success will follow.”

As for what’s next, don’t expect franchising, hyper-growth, or flashy expansion plans. That’s not the Harrington way.

“We’re not chasing growth, we’re chasing excellence,” Mark says. “Our focus now is to refine, streamline, and polish everything we do so we’re the best we can possibly be.”

The business is in safe hands, and Mark knows it.

“I just want to see James continue doing what he’s doing. He’s an incredible leader, and I have no doubt that he’ll take the business even further.”

The family legacy

If you ask Mark to sum up what Harrington Kitchens is really all about, he won’t talk dollars, awards, or even cabinetry.

“At the end of the day, it’s not just about kitchens and joinery,” he says. “It’s about creating spaces where families make memories.”

And that’s a legacy that will last far longer than any kitchen benchtop.

Harrington Kitchen is a finalist in Australia’s Favourite Family Business Competition. You can vote for them and find out more about the rest of our finalists here.

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