Project Overview
Our Accessible Home Furnishings collaboration with Pottery Barn aims to redefine the notion of accessible lifestyle furniture, appealing to a broad audience by integrating novel, functional enhancements that put safety first, while celebrating beauty and quality that all consumers expect. Functional. Accessible. Beautiful.
Shop the collection at Pottery Barn and online at Potterybarn.com/MichaelGravesDesign
Our “Design With” Process
When Michael Graves became paralyzed in 2003, we gained a lot of firsthand experience with accessibility and the built environment. Our designers have worked from a wheelchair and used other mobility devices like a cane for extended periods of time, all to gain empathy and understanding. We have also engaged in hundreds of hours of ethnographic research, within the homes of older adults and people with disabilities, interviewing and observing their daily lives. We’ve done research with family caregivers, professional caregivers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers and everyone else from whom we could gain insights. This is the foundation upon which we began to collaborate with Pottery Barn.
We brainstormed novel functional enhancements before narrowing our alternative design enhancements to the best ideas. In October 2023, we conducted Consumer Preference Testing with dozens of consumers. During this week-long exercise, older adults, as well as people with permanent disabilities (e.g. people who use wheelchairs and people with Parkinson’s Disease), people with temporary disabilities (e.g. sports injuries, surgical recovery and pregnancy), and people with situational disabilities (e.g. holding a laundry basket) were asked to interact with “works-like” prototypes.
During this exercise, we primarily observed how they used the products, where they put their hands, and we did A/B testing with alternative design solutions. This invaluable feedback informed all final design refinements and assortment selection. We refer to this product design process as “Design with” our target consumers.
Bed Design Features
Integrated Armrests help sitting, standing, and repositioning in bed
Integrated storage enhances functional appeal. Footrest Bench gives a safe place to sit when getting dressed/undressed. Set-back feet to eliminate trips and stubbed toes, featured on Cayman only
Nightstand Design Features
Raised edges prevent items from rolling off, eliminating bending. Integrated power strip in drawer eliminates bending to reach outlets.
CPAP storage & pass-through enhances your décor, allows you to keep your machine in the drawer while passing the hose through the side for use at night. Can also be used for charging electronics.
Easy to use hardware that adheres to ADA guidelines is also easy to see in a contrasting finish.
Dresser Design Features
Front, Side, Back grab channels provide total containment for small items to eliminate accidental dropping + bending
Front & side grab rails facilitate “furniture surfing” by providing a safe grip for balance or assistance standing up. Wall mounting cleat included to create full stability
Side Bench Features
Coordinated bench for dresser that provides convenient seating for dressing
Integrated storage enhances functional appeal
Upholstery Chair – Supported Ingress + Egress Features
Optimized foam density, seat height, seat depth, armrest height and extension touchpoints encourage “nose over toes” position in chair. Enabling a more supported position to get in and out of chair
Bradford Chair– Additional Features
Preventing knees from reaching a right angle facilitates easier ingress and egress. Adjustable/attachable foot options to choose the height that is right for you (19” or 20.5 Seat Height)
Rear Grab Rail provides a safe grip for balance and facilitates “furniture surfing”
Products Team
Get in contact with us for your next product design project.
Ben Wintner
Chief Executive Officer, Michael Graves Design
Send a Message
Donald Strum
President, Michael Graves Design
Send a Message
Rob Van Varick
Chief Design Officer, Michael Graves Design
Send a Message
Featured Products
At Michael Graves we create design that clients dream of. We not only care about what we create we care about who we create it for.
Stryker
Bathroom Collection
Stryker
United Healthcare Optum
Furniture Collection
Brand Partnership