How should universal design be applied to electronics like the radio? This series of articles investigates ways to design creatively.

Brooklyn-based Haptic Lab designs intricate quilts of well-known cities across the world. With its Brooklyn City Quilt Throw, Haptic Lab celebrates the neighborhoods of New York’s most populous borough, from Coney Island to Greenpoint. Each Brooklyn Throw Blanket is hand-quilted by Haptic Lab’s partners in India and is made of 100% natural cotton. Haptic Lab also makes a larger Soft Map City Quilt of several international cities, from Boston to Paris.

The basic requirements of a good stocking stuffer are: portable size, ingenuity, and of course, the fun factor. This brightly-colored universal adapter from Flight 001 satisfies all three. ($25)

Universal Construction Panels by ECOR.

A custom-designed chairlift system from Versicor allows Matthew access to the tower. “The new house has really liberated Matthew. My goal is that he will have access to everything by one means or another,” says Ed Slattery.

One of the home’s more fanciful features is a meditation tower that offers views to Baltimore’s Loch Raven Reservoir and beyond.

Review the number of sinks you need. While two sinks can help ease morning traffic, they also reduce countertop space. Ask yourself: would a double sink with little countertop space be more useful than a single sink with more surface space?

A sculptural skylight bathes the master bathroom in natural light. A single level of tile floor allows easy access to the full height glass shower at the room's end.

Inside, cedar beams add warmth while polished concrete floors provide easy passage for Matthew’s wheelchair. Other universal-design features include drop-down mechanisms for the kitchen counters and cooktop from Freedom Lift Systems.

“The new house has really liberated Matthew. My goal is that he will have access to everything by one means or another.” —Ed Slattery, resident

Crafted from reclaimed olde growth pine salvaged from antique floor joints from Philadelphia houses built in the 1800s, the Reclaimed Wood Desk Caddy has a decidedly vintage look and feel, but also can blend easily into contemporary interiors. The caddy is a simple way to organize pens, pencils, and other desk items.

Ed Slattery, seen here with his son Matthew, wanted to create a sustainable home that is accessible without feeling like a hospital.

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Cedar siding and fiber cement panels, painted a soft blue grey, assures the home blends into the natural landscape. The home's linear plan and shed roofs takes full advantage of the site's views and solar orientation.

Launching concurrently, Citterio’s Axor Universal Accessories collection includes brackets, wall-mounted shelves, and accessories that can be custom-arranged and used in both the kitchen and bathroom.

For more about universal design, read "101 Universal Design" in our March 2010 kitchen-themed issue or view our "Universal Design: Public Restrooms" video.

Classic butterfly chairs from Universal Patio Furniture are stationed by the pool. The mural is by street artist Morley, a close friend.

Designed to follow universal design principles, this Santa Monica prefab home by Connect Homes delivers modern and environmentally friendly design on a budget.

Color and material cues help Matthew navigate the house. Reclaimed wood from a local barn marks the dining room, which also features a table from BoConcept, a Graypants pendant lamp, and molded-fiberglass chairs by Charles and Ray Eames. In the living room, the color palette of the Design Within Reach sofa and built-in bookshelves was inspired by maple trees in fall. “That’s really what universal design is about: making it as stylish as anything you’d put in anyone else’s house, but having the ability for it to be accessible,” says Coplen.

The 606 Universal Shelving System, designed in 1960 for Vitsœ by Dieter Rams.

"To be a truly international company, you must consider sustainability: It’s no longer just the ‘green’ people that are thinking this way. Now, it’s a fact and necessity of life." —Antonio Citterio, architect

A 606 Universal Shelving System by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe hangs tough on the only opaque wall of the living room. Russell-Clarke and Moolsintong designed the coffee table, and Marcel Wanders gets credit for the Bottoni sofa for Moooi.

Twin houses face off in La Jolla across wide-open walls and decking. The design held such appeal that the architect claimed one 2inn for himself.

The 510 Cabin is one of Leggitt's designs, executed with the help of student apprentices.

Designer Jeff Sand’s Universal Chairs combine his love for classic French café chairs with an appreciation for “the beautiful metal casings on an old Moto Guzzi.” Sand Studios also designed the dining table and pendant lamp.

Sabi's wall-mounted detachable hand mirror ($50) magnifies two times and is encased in cheery yellow or neutral gray.

Not only is it irresistibly cute, Sabi's mirror is also designed for universal use. Installation is a breeze: Punch out the to-scale template from the packaging and hang it with the included adhesive or easy-mount screw. Mirror ($160) and shelf ($80-$110) at sabi.com.

Sabi's silicone towel ring retails for $50.

The Sabi Space line designed by MAP includes a caddy ($60) and hanger ($50).

Each piece comes with a template for easy wall markup and installation; brackets can be mounted with a screw and Allan key (shown above) or an adhesive backing developed by 3M.

Black and white tiles add dramatic flair to the hallway that leads to the restrooms. The textural wood paneling found in the bar area wraps around one wall for continuity.

The mezcal bar occupies a former house in Oaxaca. Out of respect for the original structure, the home's façade was left intact.

This modern bar in Oaxaca is named Expendio Tradición, meaning “dispensing tradition,” a concept designer Ezequiel Farca utilized to create a space that’s seeped in the Chagoya family’s 140-year-old tradition, producing mezcal. Materials such as recycled mezcal barrels, traditional black clay tiles, and handmade cement floor tiles, which generated local work and economic sustainability, are featured throughout the space.

Wood paneling covers the walls, bottles of mezcal decorate soft-lit shelves, and red cords dangle vintage-style bulbs overhead. Baby mezcal plants are placed as centerpieces at each table.

The bar is the focal point of the space, which accommodates a range of activities, including mezcal presentations and tastings.