Quietly accessible furniture aids aging in place with safety and style
Knees get cranky, backs get stiff, balance isn’t what it used to be. Age isn’t easy on us. But the right furniture can make it easi-er. And, finally, one major furniture retailer is leaning into that with a line of “quietly accessible” furniture that looks like it belongs in a home not a rehab center.
It’s about time. I mean anyone with eyeballs can look at the aging demographic, and the fact that 77% of those older than age 50 want to stay in their homes as they age, and see a canyon-sized opportunity for furniture that lessens the aches, pains and fall risks of aging and other disabilities.
Despite its forehead-smacking
obviousness, the idea wasn’t an easy sell, said Donald Strum, president of Michael Graves Design, the Princeton, NJ, firm that championed the new line.
“Finding a retailer who understood the need for accessible furniture that also looked great was like pushing rope uphill. We knew we could design furniture that looked residential, not medical or institutional, and we also knew no one wants furniture that reminds them they’re not well. At Pottery Barn we found a person who got it.”
The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn collection debuted in August. “The target audience goes
Marni Jameson At Home
Photo courtesy of MGD
HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT — The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn Collection features good-looking furniture that enhances independent living for those who have mobility issues. Larger drawer pulls, grab points for safety, and sturdy adjustable seating are among the quietly accessible flourishes.
OPEN HOUSE DIRECTORY
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16th Annual Honor Our Troops Fundraiser
SPAGHETTI FEED
El Dorado County Association of Realtor’s HONOR OUR TROOPS Committee
Would Like to Extend our Gratitude to All those who Supported the 16th Annual Spaghetti Feed Fund Raiser on October 10th, 2024
We served over 270 meals!!!
Venue Sponsor: American Legion Hall
Entertainment Provided by: Mountain Man Jack Storage Sponsor: Sentry Storage Shingle Springs
Advertising Sponsors: Mt. Democrat Publications & The Windfall Website Sponsor: HellaGoodWebsites.com
CORPORATE SPONSOR ($1000): Century 21 Real Estate Placerville
PLATIUM SPONORS ($500): Ryan Nuttall Farmers Insurance, Thompson’s Toyota & Main Street Plumbing
BEEF/SAUSAGE SPONSOR: Kings Meats
SILVER SPONSORS ($250): Golden Foothills Family Dental, Gay/Larry Berge, Preet Kaur/Sikh Relief, & Steve/Cindy Cockerell
Table Sponsors ($50): Tammy Painter, Brenda Cook, Kristen Haus, Fred/Susan Ott, LoriAnn Ingram, Donna Nichols & Carol Gomez
Raffle Prize Sponsors: This year we had more than 110 donated items! We are so grateful for the generosity of so many!! Thank you so much!
Youth Volunteer Groups: El Dorado High School AVID & Hands For Hope
If we missed anyone, our sincere apologies, we truly appreciate all the Support from El Dorado County. Visit us at www.HonorOurTroops.us
*Sponsored by the El Dorado County Association of Realtors* *and the Honor Our Troops Committee*
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beyond Baby Boomers who want to age in place (and who expect good design) to those of any age who have permanent or temporary disabilities, and those who want to plan for a future without compromise,” Strum said.
One of the best ways not to compromise your future as you age is to not fall, Strum said, adding, “Falling is the most dangerous disabling accident for those over 65.” Many never fully recover. Much of the new furniture line’s focus is on making falls less likely.
It also aims to make life easier for those who have mobility issues, as the late Michael Graves, the world-renowned architect and founder of MGD, did later in life. Con ned to a wheelchair a er a spinal infection le him paralyzed, Graves championed ways to promote independence and accessibility in homes without sacri cing style and elegance. Among the questions he asked: Why aren’t water faucets easier to reach? Why are outlets placed so low on the wall?
As he viewed environments and products from a new perspective, he redesigned them and, until his death in 2015, inspired his team to do the same, said Strum, who worked alongside Graves for 30 years.
Although the MGD team usually designs products from scratch, the relationship with Pottery Barn was di erent, Strum said. The retailer wanted the design team to retro t three of the brand’s best-selling furniture lines — Farmhouse, Sausalito and Cayman — so they were accessible, but not obviously so.
The MGD team set to work making subtle changes, such as adding grab points, larger drawer pulls, higher density foam and toe clearances for wheelchairs.
“The functional ourishes are hiding in plain sight,” Strum said. They product tested the design elements with several groups, including adults aging in place and those with disabilities, and continued making re nements.
“The aim was always safety, style and accessibility, while meeting Pottery Barn’s demand for comfort, quality and value,” he said. The collection is available in select stores and at potterybarn. com. Consumers can expect to pay a 5% to 10% upcharge for the accessible furniture.
While Strum is not at liberty to say what’s next for the collection, he can say this: More is coming. “Eventually, I’d like this to be the benchmark for all furniture. It should be the new expectation.”
Here are the key pieces in the line along with their “functional ourishes”:
• Dressers: Raised edges around the top edge of the dresser prevent items, like, say, lip balm or pill bottles, from rolling o the edge, meaning you don’t have to stoop to pick them up and risk falling. The edges also have a grab channel built in, which aids furniture sur ng. Larger pulls make opening drawers with one hand easier and 9-inch ground clearance allows wheelchairs to scoot by.
• Dresser seats: Great beside a dresser or on their own in the entryway, these solidly constructed bench seats provide both additional storage and a place to sit to get dressed or put on shoes.
• Nightstands: Like the dressers, these side tables have raised edges and easy-to-grasp pulls. They also have built-in power strips and USB ports, eliminating the need to bend over and crawl behind furniture to access a plug. Nightstands are also designed to discretely house CPAP machines, so more attractive accessories can go beside the bed.
• Beds: Integrated armrests and pull-and-roll side grips support sitting, standing and repositioning in bed. A built-in bench provides a stable spot for dressing as well as extra, easy-to-access storage.
• Chairs: High-density foam and adjustable seat heights that you can “set and forget” give a welcome boost to those who struggle getting out of chairs that are too so or too low. Sturdy, wide wooden arms that extend beyond the seat cushion o er critical support when getting in or out of the chair, and “prevent the grope-and-hope” method of sitting down, Strum said. Some chairs also have a rear grab rail along the back to aid balance.
Marni Jameson is the author of seven books, including “Rightsize Today to Create Your Best Life Tomorrow,” “What to Do With Everything You Own to Leave the Legacy You Want” and “Downsizing the Family Home.”
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by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Finance Lenders law - #6073455. CA Department of Business Oversight - 866-275-2677. California - Bureau of Real Estate Branch Of ce License Endorsement #00988341 1-2024
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