Take Ergonomic Custom Home Accessories Comfortably in Hand

What does it mean for an object to be ergonomic?  Designer and engineer Chris Adams’ definition of ergonomics goes right to the point: the science of making the human interface with the things around us as comfortable and efficient as possible.

We interface with the objects in our world in many ways.  We put our eyes on screens, our feet into shoes, our butts into seats, and our hands … everywhere.

For now, let’s focus on the hands.  If using normal household objects makes you feel pain or discomfort in your hands, part of the problem may be the design of those items.  Custom home accessories designed to work with the natural shape and grasp of the human hand could be part of the solution.  Here are just a few examples of custom accessories conceived and created by CustomMade artisans for comfort, efficiency, and beauty.

Handled cups by Susan Bisgyer of Ridgetop Pottery are designed “not only to look beautiful but to fit comfortably in your hands.” Rachel, her studio assistant, avers, “‘my ginger tea tastes better from a Ridgetop Pottery cup.’”  Your hot tasty beverage will be even tastier, too, when you hold a cup with its sides curved gently inward so you can fit your fingers around the handle without burning your knuckles.  You can custom order your cups in large, regular, and demitasse sizes and in your choice of color: Morning Fog, Riverstone, Ridgetop Green, and Streams in Green.  Large Riverstone is shown here, but you can see the other varieties on the project gallery page.

Handled Cup by Ridgetop Pottery at CustomMade.com

Speaking of handles, have you ever wondered why pitchers often have them located near the top?  That can certainly make it difficult to pour from a full container, since you’re essentially lifting and pouring with your wrist at an odd angle with very little torque to help you. These transparent blown glass pitchers by Tsuga Studios, on the other hand, have their handles located closer to the bottom, so the weight of the liquid, the length of the container, and gravity all work in your favor when you pour.  There is less stress on your wrist.  These beautiful hand-blown glass pieces are available in hyacinth, ruby, orange, saffron, lime, emerald green, turquoise, and light cobalt (all shown below, left to right).  You can contact the artisan for a custom design.  Watch this slide show and learn about glass artist Nicholas Kekic’s background, influences, and vision.

Transparent Blown Glass Pitchers by Tsuga Studios, available at CustomMade.com

Ever had a darling infant slap the strained peas out of your hand, spoon and all?  With this baby spoon by Kaminer Haislip, you might still lose the peas but at least you’ll hold on to the spoon.  Cut from a strip of sterling silver, the curved, ergonomic shape of the spoon was formed by hammering the bowl in one direction and the handle in the other.  You can contact the artisan and commission your own functional work of art that will combine “contemplation, favorable usage, and auspicious function” in every daily use.  Check out this 360° view of Kaminer at work in her studio, too.

Baby Spoon by Kaminer Haislip at CustomMade.com

If you find yourself routinely handling items that cause you to twist and bend your hands in unnatural ways, custom home accessories could give you some relief.  Discuss your needs with a CustomMade artisan in your area or post your ergonomic project idea on our “Get it Made” job board and you could soon own ergonomically designed objects that will be a joy to hold and behold.