Capella Design

Kaly Ryan:

I'm Kaly Ryan, an award-winning industrial designer and cofounder of Capella Design. Years ago, I had a front row seat as my grandfather’s mobility changed. My family struggled to find products that could let him live comfortably at home with dignity.    

‍

Patrick Glinski:

I’m Kaly’s co-founder, Patrick Glinski, an award-winning strategist with over a decade of co-design experience. I had a similar experience with my family - after my father was diagnosed with Parkinsons we couldn’t find home mobility options that my parents would accept in the space that they’d loved for years.

‍

Kaly Ryan:

Everyone in this room will experience something similar at some point - whether it’s for your parents, grandparents, or yourself. No one wants to see their loved one's home turn into a hospital.

Today, older adults are redefining what aging “looks” like. They want products that reflect their style, their homes, and their lives. But home mobility companies haven’t kept up. They sell products that are clinical, stigmatizing, and don’t match how older adults actually see themselves. 

This gap in design presents a significant business opportunity. The global assistive technology market is already expected to reach $33 billion USD by 2030. Yet today over half of all accessibility recommendations provided by healthcare practitioners go unfollowed. A major contributor is stigma and aesthetics. 

Capella Design is the first lifestyle brand that reimagines mobility products as beautiful, functional furniture and accessories. We take products like grab bars and shower chairs and turn them into objects  people are proud to own. Here’s how we do it. 

‍

Patrick Glinski:

First, we identify the products that people are already buying today to live comfortably and safely in their home. Next, we redesign these products with a community of occupational therapists and older adults, balancing style and function. We seek validation and support from design experts, because their approval helps our customers feel proud about their choice.

‍

Kaly Ryan:

“But why just talk about it when we can show you?” Our spa shower chair is designed to bring both luxury and safety to the bathroom.  The seat looks like wood but is made from recycled plastic and requires no maintenance. Our Customers love the modern design and functional features, giving them confidence with every use. Our adjustable side table features a telescoping tray that rotates 360 degrees. Perfect for anyone who needs to get up and down less often.It's ideal for work-from-home setups or as a living room or bedside table. 

Our lightweight stability mug is designed for people with joint pain or tremors. It’s wide base helps prevent spills, and the ergonomic handle makes it easy to hold no matter your grip strength or hand size. Plus…  it’s dishwasher safe. 

‍

Patrick Glinski:

Our totally re-imagined ADA compliant grab bar blends seamlessly into any home.  It meets the highest safety standards, yet it’s so discreet that people have called it ‘invisible’. It’s easy, single stud installation requires no costly renovations. It’s perfect for hallways, mudrooms, and landings.

At Capella Design, we’re building a future where every room in the home has beautiful, functional products that support style AND safety. We’re constantly expanding our portfolio because of the strong market signals we’ve seen.

Through our promotion and press, we’ve made huge strides to make the design community excited about accessible products. When we launched our grab bar, our waitlist and average cost to acquire customers dramatically outperformed industry standards, and our own expectations. 

And most importantly, the feedback from our customers and THEIR influencers through testing and community engagement has been nothing short of inspiring. We know, this is just the beginning. 

‍

Kaly Ryan:

We’ve laid the foundation and now we need your help to reach even more people. If our designs make you think of someone you love—share us. If you can connect us with potential commercial partners — specifically retirement communities and hospitality brands—help us.  At Capella Design, our mission is to become the leading lifestyle brand for beautiful home mobility products. Join our movement to show the word that accessible products can be beautiful.