In an era where brand partnerships have become a cornerstone of product innovation, the recent collaboration between Michael Graves Studio and Pottery Barn offers a masterclass in how manufacturers can harness the power of design to create compelling and commercially successful collections. This partnership, which merges the iconic design philosophy of Michael Graves with the timeless aesthetic of Pottery Barn, is not just a celebration of creativity but a strategic playbook that other commercial furniture manufacturers should be studying closely.
Adding to its portfolio of innovative products, Pottery Barn recently launched “The Accessible Home” collection, a range designed to enhance the quality of life at home for everyone, particularly those living with disabilities, injuries, and the aging in place community. This initiative underscores Pottery Barn’s commitment to inclusive design—further solidifying the brand’s role as a leader in thoughtful, functional, and stylish home solutions.
The collaboration between Michael Graves Design and Pottery Barn takes this commitment to accessibility even further. The new collection introduces sophisticated and practical solutions for diverse audiences—from those aging in place, to individuals with permanent, situational, or temporary disabilities. The collection is a testament to the shared mission of both brands to deliver products that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing, ensuring that accessibility does not come at the expense of style.
“Our mission at Michael Graves Design is to create moments of joy related to the activities of daily living by designing products that are functional, accessible, and beautiful for everybody,” said Ben Wintner, Chief Executive Officer of Michael Graves Design.
A Seamless Blend of Legacy and Modernity
The Michael Graves Studio, founded by the late Michael Graves, has long been synonymous with postmodern design—celebrated for its bold use of color, playful forms, and a deep commitment to functional elegance. Pottery Barn, known for its classic American style and commitment to high-quality craftsmanship, might seem like an unlikely partner at first glance. However, this collaboration has proven that blending legacy with modernity can create a product line that resonates with a broad audience.
For manufacturers, the key takeaway here is the importance of aligning brand values with a partner who complements rather than competes with your identity. The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn collection maintains the unique design language of Graves while seamlessly integrating into Pottery Barn’s broader product ecosystem. This balance is essential for ensuring that collaborations enhance rather than dilute a brand’s identity.
This new collection features bedroom suites in three distinct styles—Farmhouse, Sausalito, and Cayman—each offering a complete set including a bed, dresser, dresser seat, and nightstand. Additionally, two armchairs, Yardley and Bradford, are part of this launch, each designed with the user’s comfort and safety in mind. “The integrated armrests on all four bed designs help sitting, standing, and repositioning in bed in such an intuitive way that people are going to wonder how we lived without armrests on our beds,” noted Ben Wintner.
The Power of Storytelling in Design
One of the standout features of this collaboration is its narrative-driven approach to design. Each piece in the collection tells a story—whether it’s a kitchen utensil inspired by Graves’ architectural work or a home decor item that reflects his playful use of form. This storytelling aspect is not only a tribute to Michael Graves’ legacy but also a potent marketing tool.
This narrative approach aligns with Pottery Barn’s broader mission, evident in its recent launch of “The Accessible Home” collection. The collection not only provides practical solutions for those with specific needs but also tells a powerful story of inclusivity and design thinking. By consulting with industry experts and adapting their popular designs to be more accessible, Pottery Barn has created products that meet functional needs without sacrificing style.
In particular, the Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn collection exemplifies this narrative-driven approach with its focus on enhancing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). From bed frames with integrated armrests and pull & roll side grips to nightstands with built-in wire management and CPAP storage, every product in the collection is designed with the user’s experience in mind. These enhancements are not just functional; they are part of a larger story about independence, dignity, and the joy of living in a home that is both beautiful and accessible.
“Our collection with Pottery Barn is the first expression of our mission to design everyday objects in a way that works for the widest audience possible while looking great and making users love the products because they enhance their lives,” explained Rob Van Varick, Chief Design Officer of Michael Graves Design.
The Graves Studio Origins of Accessible Design
For Ben Wintner, CEO of Michael Graves Design, where he’s worked for 22 years, accessible home design is a core value of the firm’s approach. “Accessible means capable of being reached, used, understood or appreciated. And therefore, accessible home design is making decisions within a home that allows the widest group possible to live the life they want to live with dignity and independence,” he says.
Wintner points out that the during the 80s, Michael Graves moved away from from abstract modernism which he practiced at the beginning of his career, and he turned toward Humanism or putting the person at the center of each design metaphor. Just think of the studio’s iconic Whistling Bird Teakettle for Alessi, which has its blue handle that is cool to the touch, while the red bird communicates that it’s hot, and of course the whistling bird pays homage to the rooster crowing in the morning and makes you smile. “With this shift, our designs were intuitively understood, and we achieved cognitive accessibility,” Wintner says.
Then in the late nineties, the studio’s partnership with Target pioneered Design for All. This meant that the studio was the very first “high design” brand to partner with a mass market retailer. In addition to leading to countless other collaborations between designers and retailers, it is credited with raising America’s expectations for good design at affordable prices. “The bar had been raised, and with this, we achieved financial accessibility,” says Wintner.
Then in 2003, tragically Michael Graves became paralyzed, and the studio raised the bar again by focusing on physical accessibility; designing items related to healthcare experiences and ADLs (or Activities of Daily Living). “With a mandate of working great for older adults and people with disabilities, we created products that may be essential for some, but they’re better for all,” Wintner explains. “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.” The end result was taking institutional looking products and making them look beautiful while being highly functional. [Text Wrapping Break] The Graves studio’s focus on the ADLs, means that their 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,” says Wintern. “We are proving to the world that accessible design is the new cost of entry.”
Innovation Through Collaboration
The Graves-Pottery Barn collaboration is also a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary innovation. By bringing together expertise from different domains—architecture, industrial design, and interior decor—the collection pushes the boundaries of what is possible in home furnishings. This kind of innovation is only possible when manufacturers are willing to step outside their comfort zones and explore partnerships that bring new perspectives to the table.
Similarly, Pottery Barn’s collaboration with experts in creating “The Accessible Home” collection shows how innovation can emerge from addressing real-world challenges. By reimagining everyday products—such as the Irving recliner with its powered remotes and multiple reclining positions—Pottery Barn has demonstrated that innovation often lies at the intersection of need and creativity.
The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn collection, for example, was developed using extensive ethnographic research across various communities, including adults aging in place and individuals with disabilities. By engaging with potential users during the design process, Michael Graves Design was able to create products that not only meet the needs of a diverse audience but also set new standards for accessibility in home furnishings. “We prototype and get feedback from real people,” said Ben Wintner. “Our research has also shined a spotlight on the dangers of falling, especially for older adults and people with disabilities. Preventing falls is among our highest priorities.”
For other furniture manufacturers, the lesson here is clear: innovation often lies at the intersection of different disciplines. By embracing collaboration with designers or brands outside of their immediate industry, manufacturers can unlock new ideas and create products that stand out in a crowded marketplace.
A Commitment to Quality and Accessibility
Quality is a non-negotiable aspect of this collaboration, with each piece reflecting the meticulous craftsmanship that both Michael Graves Studio and Pottery Barn are known for. This emphasis on quality is not just about creating durable products but about building trust with consumers—a critical factor in today’s competitive retail environment.
The same commitment to quality is evident in Pottery Barn’s “The Accessible Home” collection, which includes products like non-slip rugs and adjustable beds designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. By focusing on quality and accessibility, Pottery Barn is setting a new standard in the luxury home goods market, showing that it is possible to cater to specific needs without compromising on style.
The Michael Graves Design for Pottery Barn collection also upholds this commitment, offering products like adjustable lounge seating and grab rail-equipped dressers that are not only safe and functional but also beautifully designed. “The collections are beautiful foundational pieces so customers can choose décor, textiles, and accessories that best fit their personal style,” remarked Rob Van Varick. This focus on creating accessible products that do not compromise on style is a key lesson for other manufacturers. It demonstrates that accessibility can be a driver of innovation and differentiation in the market, rather than a constraint.
Manufacturers should take note that in an age where consumers are increasingly discerning, a commitment to quality is essential. It’s not enough to innovate; the end product must meet the high standards that consumers expect. Collaborations like this one serve as a reminder that quality should never be sacrificed in the pursuit of innovation or cost-efficiency.
Curious about the collaboration, Officeinsight asked Wintner what his thoughts were on the the state of inclusion and accessibility in the design industry? “I think from a design education and a designer perspective, the state of inclusion and accessibility is quite strong,” he answered. “Years ago, when reviewing student portfolios, everything was about sustainability. Today, we see a lot of focus on accessibility. We love it. This makes sense, because gaining empathy for the future users of your products is at the core of product design. The design community is ready for accessibility.” Wintner sees the studio’s challenge today is to prove that it makes great business sense, but that he believes it will because brands want to make emotional connections with consumers. (“Helping someone do something that was previously a struggle is the best way to fall in love,” he says); expanding the addressable market size is fundamental to growth; and, people always want a better mousetrap (“We’re designing products that give equal focus to style and safety,” he says).
So what are some of the details that make the furniture particularly accessible and inclusive? For example, when it comes to the nightstands, raised edges prevent items from rolling off, eliminating bending; a higher height of 26.5” make the nightstands level with arm rest height; and integrated power strip in drawer eliminates bending to reach outlets.
Dressers, on the other hand, are designed to include details such as front, side, back grab channels provide containment for small items to eliminate accidental dropping and bending; front and side grab rails facilitate “furniture surfing” by providing a safe grip for balance or assistance standing up; and a Nine-inch ground clearance allows wheelchair users to have better clearance for feet (ADA).
Upholstered Lounge Chairs are designed with optimized foam density, seat height, seat depth, armrest height and extension touchpoints encourage “nose over toes” position in the chair. This enables the user with a more supported position to get in and out of the chair.
A Model for Future Collaborations
The Michael Graves Studio and Pottery Barn collaboration is more than just a successful product launch; it’s a blueprint for how manufacturers can approach design partnerships in a way that is both creatively fulfilling and commercially viable. By focusing on aligning brand values, leveraging the power of storytelling, embracing cross-disciplinary innovation, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality and accessibility, manufacturers can create collaborations that not only resonate with consumers but also set new standards in their industries.
Officeinsight asked Wintner if he had any words of wisdom for other manufacturers who want to do a better job of meeting the diverse needs of consumers? “It sounds obvious, but the most important thing to do is to listen,” he says. “If you ask enough people, and if you take them at their word, people will open-up about the issues they are having and the products they wish they had. People will share their life hacks and workarounds with you. And if you show people early-stage design ideas, they will let you know what they think and give you the needed insights to design final products that will be successful in the marketplace.”
As the market continues to evolve, manufacturers who are willing to learn from successful partnerships like this one will be better positioned to navigate the challenges of an increasingly competitive landscape. The Graves-Pottery Barn collaboration, along with Pottery Barn’s “The Accessible Home” collection, are shining examples of what can be achieved when iconic brands come together with a shared vision and a commitment to excellence. Office furniture manufacturers take note.
facilitates “furniture surfing.”
