Once upon a time (well, in November 1999), in a small, dusty old classroom in Woodstock, Cape Town, a dream was born. Armed with a passion for paint, an environmental conscience, and a small hand-held mixing machine, Tony Onwood, a British emigrant with a knack for specialist paint techniques, launched Harlequin Paints. What began as a tiny operation mixing Colourwashes and specialty glazes quickly grew, moving to a bustling factory in Metro Industrial and now to the heart of Paarden Eiland.
Fast forward 25 years, and Harlequin Paints is no longer the small startup it once was. Today, we’re proud to say, “If it’s paint-related, chances are, we make it!” From lawn stains to scorch paste (yes, even scorch paste!), we’ve kept innovating while staying true to Tony’s vision: creating environmentally friendly paints and sealers long before it was cool—or crucial. And true to our promise, our paints have little to no smell , you can paint today and sleep tonight!
That’s why Hotels, restaurants and heath conscious consumers trust in the brand.
Liming Wax and Lightning Strikes
Tony’s story is one of ingenuity, frustration, and a pinch of serendipity. As a professional painter newly arrived from the UK, he found himself missing the specialty products he once relied on. South African stores just didn’t stock them. So, what’s a resourceful painter to do? Make his own, of course! With a lot of trial, error, and some colourful language (no doubt), Tony whipped up products like scumble glaze and liming wax for his own projects.
One day, while browsing brushes in a large hardware store in Tokai, Tony met the store manager, Mr. Coetzer. Now, Mr. Coetzer had heard whispers about this homemade liming wax and boldly asked Tony if he could buy some. “Twelve tubs, to be exact,” he said.
At first, Tony hesitated. Selling? To a shop? That was a leap. But the service-minded professional in him couldn’t resist the challenge. With a few computer-generated labels slapped on tubs, Tony made his first sale.
A few days later, the phone rang. It was Mr. Coetzer. Tony’s heart sank—customer complaint? —but no, Mr. Coetzer was calling to place another order. And that was the moment Harlequin Paints began to dance onto the South African paint stage.
The Paint Revolution
Harlequin grew fast, and so did its range. From that first batch of liming wax, we now boast a collection that’s the envy of paint enthusiasts everywhere. Chalk paints, mineral paints, clear sealers, metallics, wood stains, and more—our shelves are stocked with products as colourful as the people who use them.
And speaking of colour, we’re not just about beauty; we’re about brains too. Harlequin Paints proudly holds the title of South Africa’s first award-winning environmentally friendly paint company. Before “sustainability” became a buzzword, Tony was already formulating paints that were better for the planet, proving that high-quality and eco-friendly can go hand in hand.
The Next Chapter
A lot has changed in 25 years. Tony is thinking about retirement, passing the torch to the energetic and innovative Graham Trembling. With Graham at the helm, Harlequin Paints is poised to grow even more, creating the products of tomorrow while honouring the ethos that got us here.
But as we celebrate this milestone, we can’t help but look back with pride. From that small classroom in Woodstock to becoming a household name in paints, it’s been quite the journey. And we’re just getting started.
Here’s to another 25 years of colour, creativity, and keeping it green.
A Splash of Gratitude
To everyone who’s supported Harlequin Paints over the years—whether you bought a tub of liming wax back in 1999 or are tackling your latest DIY project today—thank you. You’re the reason we’ve made it this far.
So, the next time you see a beautifully painted wall, a glowing piece of furniture, or even a perfectly manicured lawn, remember: if you can think it, we probably make the paint for it.
And don’t forget—Paint today, Sleep tonight!
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