Delight for All: A Look into the Accessible Furniture Line by Michael Graves Design and Pottery Barn

In a world where accessibility is becoming more prominent in design conversations, Michael Graves Design is leading the charge with their latest collaboration with Pottery Barn. This partnership has resulted in an innovative accessible furniture line that is set to revolutionize the way we think about home furnishings. Combining Pottery Barn's timeless style with Michael Graves Design's commitment to accessibility, this new collection aims to make stylish, functional furniture available to everyone, regardless of physical ability.

The Mission

Michael Graves Design is The Most Accessible Design brand creating functional, accessible, and beautiful products for Every Body. With a focus on Activities of Daily Living, our mission is to enhance all people’s lives, regardless of age or physical ability, by designing products that are visually beautiful and physically accessible. 

The Inspiration

In 2003, Michael Graves became paralyzed. This motivated us to focus on physical accessibility; designing items related to healthcare experiences and the ADLs (or Activities of Daily Living). With a mandate of working great for older adults and people with disabilities, we designed products that may be essential for some, but they’re better for all. At first, this meant products for the hospital, including patient furniture and a transport chair, but then expanded into home healthcare equipment like shower chairs, raised toilet seats, commodes, walkers and canes. Before our contributions to the market, these products made people feel sick or disabled. We proved that by designing medical products in the same way we designed other consumer products, meaning combining highly functional features with beautiful aesthetics, we were able to change perceptions again. In this area, since the designs were uplifting, people happily used them, and gained extra utility in their lives.

However, with a focus on the ADLs, our true mission has been to design the everyday objects we all use, in a way that works for the widest audience possible, while looking great and making users love the products because they enhance their lives. Our partnership with Pottery Barn is the first expression of this part of the mission, with furniture that is setting new consumer expectations for products that seamlessly blend safety with style. We are proving to the world that accessible design is the new cost of entry. 

The Partnership

In July 2022, Pottery Barn launched its first collection of Accessible Furniture. With the success of that assortment, Pottery Barn wanted to invest further, and knowing our Design for All history and accessible design credentials, they contacted about a branded design collaboration. It was immediately a mutual admiration society. 

No one creates Lifestyle Furniture better than Pottery Barn. Since our focus is on the Activities of Daily Living, most exciting for us was observing Pottery Barn’s process and vision for enhancing lifestyle. No detail is too small or subtle, which is another thing we share in common.

Read more about the design process on our website and be sure to shop now on Potterybarn.com!