Pottery Barn Announces Accessible Collection with Michael Graves Design

August 1, 2024  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The functional design elements of the ‘Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn’ collection leverage ethnographic research conducted by Michael Graves Design across several communities including adults aging in place and individuals with disabilities.

With the primary research driving the development of the initial furniture designs, the Michael Graves Design team developed prototypes that were used to engage a diverse pool of potential users for "Consumer Preference Testing" which allows participants to touch, feel and interact with the designs. The valuable research and insights collected from the consumer testing influenced accessible updates to some of Pottery Barn’s best-selling collections, as well as the development of new designs.

"Bringing together Pottery Barn’s design leadership for beautiful, quality home furnishings, with Michael Graves Design’s award-winning accessible design knowledge has enabled us to create a collection that harmoniously blends aesthetic appeal and functionality," said Pottery Barn president, Monica Bhargava. "Collaborating with Michael Graves Design has deepened our commitment to accessible designs with the goal of enhancing the lives of consumers living with disabilities, injuries or aging in place at home without sacrificing quality or style."

Donald Strum, president of Michael Graves Design who has been with the company since 1983, states, "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."

Rob Van Varick, chief design officer of Michael Graves Design who has been with the company since 2003, adds "Together with Pottery Barn, we are setting new consumer expectations with products that seamlessly blend safety with style, proving to the world that accessible design makes great business sense by broadening the total addressable market."

The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn collaboration is designed to serve a variety of communities, from those aging in place, to individuals with permanent, situational, or temporary disabilities, to those who are planning for the future without compromise, and those who want their homes to be welcoming to everybody, all without sacrificing beautiful design.

The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn collection features upholstered armchairs as well as furnishings from Pottery Barn’s best-selling bedroom collections; Sausalito, Cayman and Farmhouse.

Each product features unique, functional enhancements. Items from the new collection include:

Bed Frames by Michael Graves Design

Integrated armrests and pull & roll side grips support sitting, standing and repositioning in bed

A built-in bench provides a stable spot for dressing as well as extra storage to keep things clutter free

Nightstands by Michael Graves Design

• Raised edges prevent items from rolling off
• Integrated power strip inside drawer eliminates the need for bending over to reach outlets
• Built-in wire management and tube access provides easier, clutter free access to charge electronics or use a CPAP machine
• Large drawer storage accommodates items such as a CPAP machine for enhanced discretion
• Easy to use larger pulls for one handed drawer opening

Dressers by Michael Graves Design

• Front, side, and back grab rails keep items from rolling off, minimizing bending over, which reduces risk of falling
• Front and side grab rails also provide safety grip and support to facilitate "furniture surfing"
• Per the ADA, 9" ground clearance allows wheelchair users better clearance for their feet.
• Clearance also provides space for bin storage
• Easy to use larger pulls for one handed drawer opening

Dresser Seats by Michael Graves Design

• Coordinated bench for dresser provides convenient seating for dressing
• Integrated storage enhances functional appeal
• Also great on its own in entryways for safely and comfortably putting on and taking off shoes

Yardley & Bradford Armchair by Michael Graves Design

• Optimized foam density, seat height, seat depth, armrest height and extension touchpoints enable a more supported position to get in and out of chair
• Attachable foot risers to choose the height that is right for you (*Bradford chair only)
• Rear grab rail provides a safe grip for balance (*Bradford chair only)
   

The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn inaugural collection is now available for purchase on PotteryBarn.com/MichaelGravesDesign and in select stores in the coming weeks.