Not-Ltd’s history is deeply linked to the history of its founder, J. Harlan. His diverse interests and skills along with a determination to reach any goal he set for himself convinced him that his company should have no boundaries or limitations.

J. Harlan was involved in the craft of Filmmaking for many years. He has worked in Production Operations and Coordination, Editing, Video Sound, Grip Work & Lighting and Public Relations. He has had a hand in over 100 music videos as well as a handful of commercials and a half dozen feature films and documentaries. He has worked with directors as diverse as Stacy Peralta, Gary Legon, Jerry Kramer, David Phincher, Pete Angelus and Jeff Stein.

J. Harlan has been involved in Jewelry Making, Landscape Gardening, Woodworking and Home Staging for many years. The challenge of each enterprise sparked his interest. What follows is a timeline and pictoral tour of his professional experience as a craftsman.

1969 – 1970
Zebede Restaurant, Marin County, California
J. Harlan conceived, produced, co-designed and managed the development of this organic food restaurant. He used his knowledge of Japanese carpentry to make the interior woodwork truly unique.

1970
Pacific Valley Project, Big Sur, California
J. Harlan co-designed and built a terraced retreat home in the mountains in Bug Sur. Materials for this home were brought up the mountain via a hiking trail.

1971 – 1973
Graham Nash Private Residence, San Francisco, California
J. Harlan worked as an apprentice carpenter, landscape designer and interior designer on this project. This apprenticeship provided him with the opportunity to work with the finest artistic carpenters from all over the world. Japanese and Early American carpentry were both used in refurbishing the interior and exterior of the house. J. Harlan also co-designed and created a Japanese garden for this home. J. Harlan’s involvement in this project began his career with environmental development.

1973 – 1974
Orion Restoration, Santa Cruz, California
J. Harlan restored antique Louis XV furniture in the traditional French style.

1973 – 1975
Nash – Makota Biodynamic Farm, Santa Cruz, California
J. Harlan was the project manager and landscape designer for this 106-acre farm on the California coast. He employed the French intensive technique of horticulture to grow 80 varieties of vegetables and flowers for commercial marketing in a terraced half-acre garden. He also worked to reclaim the other 105 acres, which had been heavily logged and grazed in the first half of the century. To improve soil quality he planted crops that would restore the balance of minerals. This allowed native grasses and wildflowers to be reintroduced to what had previously been an almost barren area. J. Harlan also installed a water-propelled irrigation system to fight drought. He designed and constructed the first farm dwelling, garden walls, animal yards, tool sheds and workshops.

1975
Carol and David Guyer Townhouse, New York City, New York
J. Harlan managed the renovation and restoration of the Manhattan Library.

1975
J.C. Penney Estate, Greenfarms, Connecticut
J. Harlan coordinated and implemented the restoration of furniture and the orchid house on the estate.

1976 – 1977
Datsun Headquarters and Palace, Jiddah, Saudi Arabia
J. Harlan was the manager for projects for both the Datsun Agency and the palace of Sheik Ahmed el Suliman. These projects involved extensive work to prepare land for drainage and grading. J. Harlan resolved soil problems by providing instruction on drainage and compost management. Through this project he was able to study Islamic designs and architecture with Abdul Wahead El-Wakil, Associate Professor of Architecture at the University of Cairo and respected architect Hassan Fathy.

1976
Port El Kantoui Golf Course and Marina, Tunisia, North Africa
J. Harlan was involved in the planning and development of this complex located in Sousse, Tunisia.

1976 – 1977
Chott Merrium Development, Sousse – Monistir/Tunisia, Africa
J. Harlan was a project consultant and landscape designer for this resort community and ecology research center. He collaborated with French and Tunisian architects to develop this 22-hectare area with an emphasis on traditional Islamic architecture.

1977
Project Hope, Tunisia, North Africa
J. Harlan volunteered his professional skills in masonry, horticulture and resource management to Project Hope and Save the Children efforts in North Africa. He was involved in the construction of a private garden for the Project Hope director.

1979
Michael Branch Residence, San Francisco, California
J. Harlan was the project manager and landscape designer for this home. His focus was on masonry work and landscape development of a medicinal and culinary garden.

1981
Buffy Sainte-Marie Ranch, Kauai, Hawaii
J. Harlan was the landscape designer and project manager for the restoration of this 19-acre ranch which was damaged by an unattended waterway.

1981 – 1983
Kauai Gardens Farm Project, Kauai, Hawaii
J. Harlan was the project manager and landscape designer for this project. The focus was on research and development of organic growing techniques for tropical environments. The grounds were developed to grow herbs and vegetables for the Kauai Gardens store.

1980 – 1984
Valley House, Inc., Kauai, Hawaii
J. Harlan was the landscape designer and a consultant on this horse ranch and lychee fruit farm. He performed agricultural research and development and also worked on the masonry and organic gardening aspects of this project.

The thread that ties together J. Harlan’s diverse experiences is a love of craft. He strives to bring together separate parts to create a harmonious whole, whether that whole is a group of people such as a film crew, restaurant staff or landscape team or an object like a piece of jewelry, a home, or a garden.

J. Harlan was born as Jamie Harlan Cane on Halloween morning on Hope Street in Los Angeles, California. He is a mildly autistic dyslexic who lives as well as thinks outside the box.