HB Building and Design, owned by local business woman Jane Regan, has been named the Woman-Owned Business of the Year for San Mateo County. Regan will be among 21 women business leaders that are to be honored at the Silicon Valley Woman-Owned Business Award Celebration taking place on the Google campus November 10th, 2009.
Perfect sink for aging in style!

The Women’s Initiative received over 1200 nominations for this year’s awards. Twenty-one businesses were recognized in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, representing the Silicon Valley region. The businesses recognized:

  • Have been successful despite the barriers that exist for women business owners
  • Exemplify how business ownership and leadership is beneficial for women
  • Have a positive impact on the local community or the community at large
  • Advance their field through innovation.

HB Building and Design specializes in residential construction with an emphasis on Aging in Place remodeling projects, which allow aging residents to stay in their homes as their physical needs change. HB Building Design is an annual sponsor for the Senior Coastsiders’  Home Rehab Day, providing hands on assistance to seniors who need help maintaining their homes

Your Kitchen

One of the most innovative areas when it comes to aging-in-place home remodeling is the kitchen. A traditional kitchen can present quite a few obstacles from an aging standpoint: low ovens, slippery floors, high countertops, and hard to reach cabinet space, just to name a few. A kitchen remodel that takes aging-in-place into account is designed to remove those obstacles as much as possible.

Reed Stovetop

New Bath Client's Innovative Stovetop - lower for easier access.

  • Single (not double) wall ovens and under cabinet mounted microwaves make for easy access.
  • Vary the counter top heights where possible. Try lowering the cooktop, even if it is between two higher countertops, to make it easier to access. Try making one 36″ long space table height to make it possible to do kitchen tasks seated or standing up.
  • Add Lazy Susans and pull outs or cabinet drawers to make the back of the cabinet space accessible for anyone, children too!
  • Don’t forget lighting improvements and non-slip flooring (more on this in next post).
  • Replace handles or knobs on the kitchen drawers with something grippable, and make sure it doesn’t have ends that poke out to catch your clothing. Many modern looks use this look, but a handle that curves into the door or drawer is much safer for all.