Meet Purrniture’s founder : Darryl
Darryl started Purrniture back in 1990. He has a really creative mind and a big soft spot for kitties! We managed to ask him a few questions for you to get to know him.
Hi Darryl!
First of all, what inspired you to start Purrniture?
I had two kittens and was looking to buy them a cat tree but I was not impressed so I built my own. I got up one Saturday morning and drove around behind buildings collecting as much scrap wood that I could find. I spent the entire weekend building it, Saturday I built the frame and Sunday I upholstered it. When I finished my cats loved it and I saw it as something I made for free. I was 24 years old. I remember saying to myself "everyone needs a hobby" and set out to make another.
Can you tell us about the philosophy behind Purrniture and how it influences the design and creation of your products?
What presented itself is the endless supply of surplus materials, namely electrical reels, that make for solid, well made cat furniture. Cat furniture is supposed to be a jungle gym for cats. They can get their exercise and also be masters of their domain. What is beautiful about the electrical reels is they are round. Cats curl up when they sleep so Purrniture is more ergonomically correct. Also being round in design lends a more modern look to the designs.
How do you ensure that Purrniture products are both environmentally friendly and durable for cats?
Purrniture is environmentally correct. The frames are made from repurposed lumber and the carpet supply is from remnants of carpet. The carpet is too small to be useful as flooring and the supplier would have to pay to have their extra carpet recycled.
What sets Purrniture apart from other cat furniture brands on the market?
What sets our cat furniture designs apart from our competitors is we have designed these through the eyes of a cat. My time as a hobbyist allowed me to make modifications as needed. A typical design is easily accessible for the cat. There are step systems built in. A cat may be able to scurry up something but seldom do they like to jump off from a tall height. Other cat furniture is too steep and the cat has a hard time exiting the unit. As cats age they can still climb up and down on our units safely.
Could you share some insights into the design process behind your best-selling products, such as the Scoop and Desk Toppers?
My signature design is the Orbitor. The Orbitor was the first design built using reels. It's all about the tunnel. Cats can play all over it as well. There is a flow in the Orbitor. The Scoops allow cats to be as high up in the room as they love without sacrificing any floor space. Physics dictate the taller a structure is going to be, the wider and heavier the base area has to be. Scoops solve that. They also simply attach into the studs of a wall using two screws. When removed there are only two small holes in the wall that can be easily spackled. Desk Toppers solve the dilemma your cat has when he wants to sit with you at your desk. Large enough for a cozy spot and small enough to fit nearby.
What challenges did you face when starting Purrniture, and how did you overcome them?
The first challenge I identified is the need for shop space. Shop space to build but more importantly a space for people to look at them. Nobody wants to visit a person's home nor do they want to make an appointment. I needed a place for people to come on their own accord.
Can you discuss the importance of handmade craftsmanship in Purrniture's products, and how does it contribute to their quality?
There are 3 major steps involved with production of Purrniture. First, building the frames. Second, cutting the carpet and third, upholstering. Each area has many steps involved by itself. The importance of hand craftsmanship is paying attention to the details. Frames have as many as 20 different pieces of wood and precision is important. Carpet is cut by hand using patterns and if the frame is not in line the carpet will not fit properly. Upholstering is the most important step. Carpet is stapled into place. I liken upholstering to sewing but a staple gun in place of a sewing machine. Our largest piece - Castle Royale - has around 2500 staples holding the carpet on.
How does Purrniture stay up-to-date with evolving trends and preferences in the pet furniture industry?
Along with our cat furniture designs having a more modern appearance we are also using the latest in carpet trends. Using remnants is a reflection of what is current today. We also offer custom colors at an extra charge.
What role does customer feedback play in shaping Purrniture's product development and future direction?
Purrniture receives countless pictures and testimonials. Our evolution is working towards modifications aimed to allow the piece to be assembled in a person's home. I believe that to be the folly of the cat furniture industry. Most cat furniture that is assembled at home is inadequate and cats do not use it.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the pet furniture market or start their own business in a similar niche?
Being an entrepreneur is an "all in" experience no matter what you choose. I think the cat furniture industry is still a mixture of mass produced, easily shipped, and assembled at home vs. cottage industry, local success individuals. It is still a product that is not easy to sell with a picture. People need to see them in person and give them "sturdy tests". They have to look at them through the eyes of their cat.
How do you envision Purrniture evolving and growing in the years to come?
Purrniture's near future plans are to expand our production into new local space and expand our current location. This will allow more inventory to be displayed with less crowding and open up opportunities for outreach to adoption groups to use the space as well.