LEROY, N.Y. -- Wendell Castle Collection, a furniture company based on the designs of its namesake artist, is repositioning itself to focus on that brand and to target retail furniture stores for its product.
At the same time, it has taken on new management. Patrick McDarrah, who joined the company in the spring, has been named president of distribution and sales, while continuing to hold the same position with Emma Gardner Design, a boutique rug producer. Alan Lamparella has been named president of production. He joined the company in September, 2008 as production manager after serving as director of engineering for five years at Harden Furniture.
Wendell Castle, which is a division of Icon Design, said it will now focus exclusively on its own furniture, reducing its role as a producer of product for other companies. At the same time, it will target retailers for its new offerings. “In expanding our distribution footprint, we are looking at high-end furniture retailers who understand the customer and who can both appreciate and afford our unique line,” said McDarrah.
Castle’s work, according to the company, led the development of hand-crafted furniture as an art form and is represented in major museums around the world. New products are planned to be introduced at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair next May in New York.