Harris Paint and Decorating is the newest division of Harris Builders.

Co-owned by three of the four Harris brothers who make up the third generation of Harris’ involved in the construction scene in Winnipeg. Operated by Kristjan Harris, who has over 30 years in construction and paint application.

Harris Paint and Decorating focuses on residential, commercial, interior and exterior projects, both large (full condo/apartment and commercial developments) and small personal projects. Exterior stucco and siding, wood stripping of exteriors and decking and staining is also a specialty, as well as heritage paint and restoration. We use all modern techniques including plaster and chemical free and solvent free linseed oil and pine tars, as well as the big brands. Wallpapering and other specialty services. We do high end work no matter what the project. We are not a slap and dash company and are very serious about making your project, your home, or office the most beautiful space it can be.

Because of our affiliation with Harris Builders, we have access to some of the best trades, drywall and mudding, carpentry, roofing, project management, etc. in the city, so if your project requires more than a facelift, we are also a viable option.

On a personal note, as this is for the MQCC, coming out very late in life, as Kristjan did, could have been a much more complicated thing to do in a construction family, and as nervous as he was, the open minded nature of his family did not make that an impossible hurdle. They opened their arms and welcomed the news as if it were both the most important thing they’d heard and at the same time, allowing it to be the most normal thing they had heard. Kristjan would like to thank his family for being so understanding over the last 3-4 years. So, as Harris Paint and Decorating is a queer owned company, Harris Builders is certainly an ally and Kristjan is proud to merge his paint company with his brothers and build this new company into a responsible and successful wall covering option here in Winnipeg.

As the company expands, we hope to hire more queer painters and trades across both companies. As it is Harris Paint and Decorating currently employs 2 full crews and 50% of the crew members identify as queer, the other 50% are obviously full allies. We hope that more people in the industry can find the acceptance to come out, or if out and want to enter the industry find acceptance. 

I have left employees out of the attached pictures and threw together what I hope is a fun, but limited selection of a few of the projects over the last couple of years.