Our Blog

What’s It All About, Shluter?

As a frequently experimental designer, I often want things to look a bit differently than the manufacturer intended, especially when it comes to bath layouts, materials, tile. And then just this week, two of my tile reps both, in one day, said, “Well, then, what about Schluter?” Don’t think for one moment that you’re not as […]

NEW AIP Showers + Pans: Well Priced + Pretty

Got a note from my bath distributors the other day to tell me about some new options for pre-made shower surronds, easily available to me through distribution. (Other people can pay retail off the rack!) But we know HB Building + Design is all about getting you the most beautiful results saving you the most money. […]

Financing Your Remodel? Head to City Hall!

We were so suprised when we got the call. A family in South San Francisco wanted us to design install a new bathroom, then told us their budget. We met, showed them a few of our Bath Pack designs, they chose one, selected finish colors, off we went.  We sent the estimate the next day, they […]

Aging In Place: Not a Fad!

Just in case you thought this Aging In Place thing was a ‘fad’ …. thought I would again share with you the Definition of AIP as well as the stats facts about how contractors builders are being encouraged to change by the NAHB to build according to Universal Design principles. Following info is from the […]

HOME MAINTENANCE TIP: Get Out of the Gutter!

Hasn’t it been a rainy spring? Here in Nor Cal, we generally don’t get any rain after February or March, but we are nearing the end of May, the rains keep coming. Don’t let a little rain or fog prevent you from doing a small task that will save you a lot of money in […]

Designer’s Corner: An Air Bath For Me?

Every time I get about half way through my first interview with a new client, the subject of tubs comes up, heats up, polarizes couples, then we have a bit of education. There are many differing opinions on bathing vessels, but for today, keeping in mind our Aging In Place community, let’s find out if what […]

Aging In Place: Music Keeps You Sharp

A couple of weeks ago I had the privelege of working with June Bonacich, an educator with the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, in a small group class to learn more about ‘sight singing,” a really important skill if you are a member of the San Francisco Lyric Chorus (as I am). We are an […]

Aging In Place: Take a Ride on the Stair Chair

When my client first called asked for one of these, a Stair Chair, I gave her a ballpark price on a new one. It’s a good thing I was talking with the Executor not the heart patient we  are working for! She couldn’t believe that the simplest, well made stair chair would cost a minimum […]

Aging In Place: Half Moon Bay Senior Coastsiders

The party started EARLY. These folks don’t want to be late for the annual Senior Coastsiders Dinner!  Our Dates for the evening made sure we’d be picking them up 1/2 hour before the start of the party, even though they lived only 8 blocks away! The Senior Coastsiders of Half Moon Bay are a special […]

Clean + Green: New EPA Renovation + Repair Law

Beginning this month, a new certification is required for all remodelers, general contractors hy men that work on homes constructed prior to 1978, the year lead in paint was banned in the U.S.  This certification is required by anyone doing work on the home, including window installation companies, flooring installers (carpeting too!), just about anyone […]