March 29, 2024

Functional

Functional and beautiful mobility products for aging in place

Vancouver-based Capella Design creates stylish mobility products for at home

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Turning reflections into actions

In March 2022, amid the global slowdown, Kaly Ryan launched Vancouver-based Capella Design. Ryan is an industrial designer and previously co-founded design company, Willow & Stump.

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Capella is the result of Ryan taking the time to reflect on what she really wanted to do with her design and fabrication talents, and her thoughts travelled back to the effort her parents went to — in the 80s and 90s — to modify her grandfather’s house so he could stay there as long as possible. He stayed in his own home until he was 95 years old.

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It was difficult then, and it’s difficult now to find functional products that assist people with mobility needs at home that also look good, modern and aesthetically pleasing.

A lot of mobility products, though functional, are downright depressing to look at, and people don’t really want them in their homes, says Ryan.

Founder of Capella Design Kaly Ryan.
Founder of Capella Design Kaly Ryan. Photo by Capella Design

Ryan also thought about her mother, who is now in her 70s and wants to stay in her own home as long as possible.

Ryan’s mum is part of a small group of people (around 10 per cent, if you go by a recent Forbes article — referencing the United States population) preparing to age in their homes. What’s interesting, says Ryan, is a recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association and National Institute on Ageing found that “96 per cent of Canadians want to age at home and live independently for as long as possible.”

“So there’s this huge gap between people who want it and are ready,” she says.

Before launching Capella Design, Ryan had some experience designing a health-related product. At Willow & Stump, she helped design its Perk Lamp, which was created to help people with seasonal affective disorder.

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Shower seat, not bench

It took Ryan two years to create Capella’s Lotic Shower Seat. She researched shower chairs and shower benches and was driven by a desire to redesign this often unattractive product.

“Realistically, you and I might need a shower stool tomorrow if we tripped and hurt ourselves. It doesn’t hurt to have these kinds of mobility products at home, but people don’t want to put them in their homes because they’re really ugly. They don’t always make you feel good about yourself,” she says.

Capella’s shower seat is made from a “solid surface” called Himacs, a stone-like material that looks and feels like stone but is non-porous.

Lotic shower seat by Capella Design can be used in and out of the shower.
Lotic shower seat by Capella Design can be used in and out of the shower. Photo by Capella Design

The stool’s slats are made from a composite decking material that is made from recycled plastic, produced by a “great Canadian company called NewTechWood,” says Ryan. “Essentially, you’re sitting on pop bottles that look and feel like wood.”

With mobility design, there is a big difference between following code and considering how a person is actually going to use a space — like a washroom, Ryan explains. Some hotel rooms have showers with bench seats that meet code, but you can’t actually reach the shower controls while sitting on the bench.

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“This is one of the reasons we created a stool instead of a bench.”

Lotic shower seat by Capella Design.
Lotic shower seat by Capella Design. Photo by Capella Design

Design is moving in a mobility-friendly direction

Walk-in showers, with no lip, are Ryan’s favourite trend because they’re easier for people to access, she says.

Contrasting colours is something people don’t often consider, but if you have an entirely white or grey bathroom, it can be challenging for people with vision issues to differentiate the floor from the wall.

“Even for me, if I take off my glasses, I can’t see anything in the shower.”

Capella has prototyped a good-looking side table with an adjustable tray, called Corbel. This design has been selected as a WL (Western Living) Design 25 finalist.

“It’s an adjustable side table that sits beside your bed or couch and adjusts up and down and swings in — like a TV tray but modernized,” says Ryan. You can use it to rest your plate, a cup of coffee, or an iPad if you’re FaceTiming someone or your book. “Winning a design-related award for accessible furniture is significant because it solidifies that these products can be seen as beautiful, functional furniture instead of things that are stuck in the mobility store that no one wants to visit.”

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Capella is also prototyping a grab-bar picture frame and a more “stable mug option” for people with hand mobility issues.

This mug has a larger handle, more stable base and is made from a light material, so it’s easy to hold,” says Ryan. For a mug, the design is quite elevated, she adds. Which, in design speak, means it looks good. She had ceramicist Grace Lee of Eikcam Ceramics prototype it for her.

“I’m really excited to get it into the hands of people who would use it to get it tested,” says Ryan.

Nothing about us without us

Nailing good design for people with mobility restrictions requires you to put the people you’re designing these products for at the centre of what you’re doing, says Ryan.

She says she isn’t an expert in mobility design; she’s an expert in listening to people and being able to respond.

“It’s all about making sure people who experience disability are central in creating solutions.”

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A Design-Minded Guidebook to Functional Kitchen Cupboards

Kitchens are collecting spaces wherever you get started and close your working day, no matter whether you happen to be a dedicated property cook dinner or not. In this heart of the property, layout flaws—or finishes and fixtures that are just not to your taste—make a big effects on how you knowledge your house. This may perhaps be why kitchen area updates are one of the most in-need dwelling renovation initiatives.

Though you may possibly have a typical concept of what you want in your new kitchen—say, an open layout or a double sink—cabinets occur in so lots of colours and variations it can be challenging to know where by to commence choosing yours. For illustration, Thomasville Cabinetry not only gives five collections, just about every available in dozens of finish and components alternatives, they can also customise distinct dimensions and functionalities, such as pull-out shelving, cabinets that open from the side for uncomplicated obtain, and even in-drawer lights.

We tapped interior designer Jen Samson of Jen Samson Design and style to explain the fundamentals when it comes to selecting cupboards, with bonus information on how the Thomasville Concierge plan can offer hands-on support to make every very last element just proper.

Find a Type

For maximum versatility, "we generally lean towards a flat panel or a Shaker for most kitchens, depending on the dwelling," states Samson. Flat panels are self-explanatory, while Shaker cabinets present a basic elevated border all the way close to.

These usually are not your only possibilities: Traditional cupboards function a lot more intricate woodwork styles and trim. Then you can find Transitional, a delighted medium concerning Shaker and additional ornate versions. That hybrid of kinds is yet another go-to for Samson, who clarifies: "We like to add facts, like a thin bead element all over the Shaker or v-groove for a fun, much more Craftsman-model kitchen."

If you happen to be however not positive what could search ideal in your area, a Thomasville Concierge, available at choose Home Depot places, can provide samples correct to your kitchen to assist you see the possibilities very first hand in your room. They are going to supply skilled assistance together the way, and also connect you with a Thomasville Technician to respond to any queries you have as soon as your renovation is underway.

Modern-day Blues

Take into consideration Shelving Diligently

While open shelving typically shows up in some of our favored property initiatives, it is crucial to be practical—and honest—if you might be considering about employing it in your residence. Question oneself, are you an avid cook dinner who collects piles of substances? Do you like your dishes sufficient to look at them 24/7? Do you have young children? If you are a tidy minimalist or you have individual pantry place to cover considerably less -aesthetically satisfying packaging and cookware, open up shelving can be a terrific way to display favorites and maintain issues effortlessly accessible and in-perspective.

If you might be additional on the messy facet, obtaining to continually hold your shelves searching styled and uncluttered may well be more of a problem than it is worthy of. Nonetheless torn? Acquire an additional one of Samson's guidelines and blend in a little bit of both.

"I like to mix open shelves and closed storage cabinets," she states. "If the property is far more conventional, I however like to incorporate a person open shelf, probably with a very brass rod element on the front, to be used for cookbooks and displaying desirable objects. When there are included style and design specifics like a rod or ornamental brackets, open up shelves can add to the distinctive individuality of the kitchen area." You can also get fancy with choices like Thomasville's glass doorways, which display screen distinctive merchandise or bring character to a room many thanks to their attractive mullions.

Timeless Neutrals

Uncover a Complete

Thomasville cabinets come in dozens of finishes, from regular or specialty hardwoods to laminates, matte paint, glazes, and stains (one more instant when the Thomasville Concierge will come in useful). But the very first determination to make is irrespective of whether you want color or a thing more pure-hunting like a stained wooden or laminate.

Samson likes the overall flexibility paint gives, allowing you to pick out your correct shade and coordinate with other style and design things. But, she adds, "stained wooden has this sort of a lovely vintage come to feel, primarily when using components this kind of as oak in which you can see the grain and movement of the substance, and it can be fewer likely to want contact ups about time." The last preference will come down to whichever cabinets you truly feel make your kitchen seem most inviting.

Sizing Storage Up

You ought to work closely with a pro—whether that's a Thomasville Concierge or interior designer—to nail down the proper sum of counter space and locate bespoke storage choices. Samson tends to make positive to inquire important concerns, together with: "Do you want a selected room for everything, or something a lot more versatile? What do you want concealed vs. shown on a countertop?"

Organizational components are when items really get enjoyable: Customizing your personal kitchen area indicates you can set up specialty storage these kinds of as drawers or shelves that slide out, corner shelving that rotates to allow quick obtain to components deep inside of, and even options like a shelf for a stand mixer that magically emerges from below a foundation cabinet, liberating up counter area. "We also adore wall lift-up cabinets," states Samson, describing personalized cabinets whose doorways open up up vertically, not out horizontally. "They are a wonderful possibility to conceal the appliances that have to have to occur out on a day by day foundation, but are unsightly to leave on the countertop all of the time."

She also likes panel-all set appliances, this kind of as dishwashers and fridges, which come ready to be covered in the exact fronts as your cabinets for a cohesive glance. And she's a enormous admirer of charging drawers to continue to keep electronics and cords off the counter.

Tasteful and Arranged

Deliberate on the Information

You could go with handleless cabinets or built-in pulls intended to be virtually invisible, but hardware these as pulls and knobs can be a pleasurable way to insert excess detail and character to your kitchen.

"For [hardware] finishes, we really like every thing from aged brass and bronze to polished nickel, based on the style of the kitchen area," says Samson. "In fashionable kitchens, I like to adhere with a single design all through." With Thomasville, you can choose from matte black metal, attractive cast iron, burnished copper, and far more, to assist your cupboards established the model of your dwelling.

5 Functional Ways To Give Your Serious Estate Groups Arms-On Aid

Welcome to Inman’s latest movie sequence. @properties Christie’s Intercontinental Authentic Estate executives Amy Corr and Kevin Van Eck give their top five ideas on how brokerages can very best support their groups.

Groups are growing, shifting and evolving swiftly, as new agent ranks swell, selling prices rise and uncertainty is at any time-present. May possibly is Teams Thirty day period listed here at Inman. Appear alongside with us as we delve into teams today. Follow along with our weekly e mail e-newsletter Groups Defeat to continue to be in the loop all year, despatched every single Thursday, signal up now.

Are you getting Inman’s Broker Edge? Make positive you’re subscribed right here.

@properties Christie’s Intercontinental Serious Estate executives Amy Corr, EVP of Tradition and Progress, and Kevin Van Eck, EVP of Innovation, offer broker insights and suggestions each other week — solely for Broker Edge viewers. Grab a cup of espresso, and check out the entire video clip for a additional in-depth appear. 

Actual estate teams, although not automatically new, have become a great deal more well known in modern decades, and they have reworked how quite a few brokers regulate and improve their corporations. 

Again in March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, we started off a each day (and now weekly) video section to stay connected with our brokers and brokers. We served our workforce remain centered and motion-oriented by supplying realistic practices to go on going their organizations forward all through that turbulent time.

In today’s display, we’ll supply 5 means to support your group potential customers and users.

Crew chief roundtables

Roundtables are a excellent way to foster collaboration and in-business referrals among team leaders — specifically if you have various places of work, marketplaces or areas.

Build inquiries that can be talked over in breakout sessions. Performing so aids team leaders get the job done alongside one another and share intelligence even though enabling them to network and establish relationships with a person one more. 

Education for staff associates

Workforce potential customers are good at marketing and acquiring new organization, but not constantly fantastic at mentoring others. Providing schooling for crew users presents them with the abilities they have to have to be productive and gives “stickiness” and price to the complete group — which include the team leader.

You also get the opportunity to train “your way,” ensuring that your groups are up-to-velocity on organization tools and devices.

Teams as beta testers

Using your teams as beta testers or giving them a “sneak preview” would make them feel additional valued. Furthermore, for the reason that groups generally deliver the maximum range of transactions, they are the greatest team to try out out new internet marketing or tech instruments.

Be confident to request them to offer testimonials that you can then use to push interior adoption amongst every person else at your company.

Take your groups to lunch

Consider your teams out to lunch on a standard basis, but posture it as the workforce leader’s thought to make them look like the “hero.” Not only does it clearly show that you’re intrigued in how the total team is accomplishing, but you will also get to spend high-quality time with all people and garner responses.

Recruiting for your workforce leaders

You can support latest groups and staff prospects grow by recruiting from the competitors. We know that some brokers are most effective when they are section of a crew, and we also know that numerous crew potential customers are good at advertising, but not automatically at recruiting.

By furnishing aid, you make certain that the group leads get the enable they need with hires who are a great healthy for both the team and your brokerage.

Amy Corr is the govt vice president of society and agent progress for @attributes Christie’s International Genuine Estate. Locate her on InstagramTwitter and LinkedIn.

Kevin Van Eck is the EVP of innovation and education and learning at @houses Christie’s Intercontinental Real Estate in Chicago, Illinois. Connect with him on Instagram or Fb.

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