SAN FRANCISCO — Pottery Barn, a subsidiary of Williams-Sonoma, is out with an accessible home furnishings collection developed in collaboration with Michael Graves Design. The collection aims to make home life safer and more accessible for all, including those aging in place and individuals with disabilities.
The development process involved extensive research and testing, leveraging Michael Graves Design’s expertise in accessible home furnishings. Ethnographic research provided insights from various communities, including older adults and people with disabilities.
This research informed the design of prototypes that underwent consumer preference testing, allowing potential users to interact with and provide feedback on the designs.
Monica Bhargava, president of Pottery Barn, highlighted the blend of aesthetic appeal and functionality achieved through this collaboration. “Bringing together Pottery Barn’s design leadership with Michael Graves Design’s award-winning accessible design knowledge has enabled us to create a collection that harmoniously blends aesthetic appeal and functionality,” she said.
Donald Strum, president of Michael Graves Design, and Rob Van Varick, chief design officer, both expressed the significance of this collaboration. Strum said, “Design has the power to enrich all of our lives. This pioneering collaboration with Pottery Barn allows us to make beautiful and purposeful furniture available to everyone.”
“Together with Pottery Barn, we are setting new consumer expectations with products that seamlessly blend safety with style,” Van Varick added.
The collection serves a variety of communities, including those aging in place, individuals with disabilities and those planning for the future. It features upholstered armchairs and furnishings from Pottery Barn’s best-selling bedroom collections: Sausalito, Cayman and Farmhouse.
Items in the new collection, along with their accessibility features, include:
Bed frames
- Integrated armrests and pull-and-roll side grips assist with sitting, standing and repositioning in bed.
- Built-in bench offers a stable spot for dressing and extra storage.
Nightstands
- Raised edges prevent items from falling off.
- Integrated power strip inside the drawer eliminates the need to bend over for outlets.
- Built-in wire management and tube access keeps electronics and CPAP machines organized.
- Large drawer storage accommodates CPAP machines.
- Easy-to-use larger pulls for one-handed drawer opening.
Dressers
- Front, side and back grab rails prevent items from rolling off and reduce bending over.
- Grab rails provide safety support for “furniture surfing.”
- ADA-compliant 9-inch ground clearance allows wheelchair users better foot clearance and space for bin storage.
- Easy-to-use larger pulls for one-handed drawer opening.
Dresser seats
- Coordinated bench provides convenient seating for dressing and integrated storage.
- Useful in entryways for safely and comfortably putting on and taking off shoes.
Yardley and Bradford armchairs
- Optimized foam density, seat height, seat depth, armrest height and extension touchpoints for better support.
- Attachable foot risers for adjustable height (Bradford chair only).
- Rear grab rail for balance support (Bradford chair only).