NYC renovation and interior design blog by Gallery KBNY design-build firm Manhattan
Insights From Our Design-Build Team

NYC Renovation & Design Blog

Design insight and education on cost, timelines, board approvals, and pre-war renovation across Manhattan and Brooklyn.

01 · The Latest

Latest Articles

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AD Italia Features Our Williamsburg Loft Renovation With Nicholas Obeid — Gallery KBNY
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NYC Interior Design

AD Italia Features Our Williamsburg Loft Renovation With Nicholas Obeid

Our Williamsburg loft with interior designer Nicholas Obeid is featured in Architectural Digest Italia. See the feature and our role in bringing it to life.

October 22, 2026
New
NYC Interior Design

How Much Can You Expand a NYC Townhouse? Understanding FAR & Zoning

How FAR, zoning and building codes set the limits on building up, out or down on a Manhattan or Brooklyn townhouse.

October 21, 2026
Rendering of staircase and kitchen from vertical combination in Manhattan by Gallery KBNY deign build firm.
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NYC Interior Design

Designing The Focal Point Of A Vertical Apartment Combination At 505 W 43rd St.

Combining two stacked apartments at 505 W 43rd St. in Hell's Kitchen starts with a staircase. Explore the renderings, material choices, and stair walkthrough.

October 9, 2026
5 Mins To Read
Built-in mudroom cabinetry with coat hooks, bench and brass pulls beside a sage entry door at 119 West 82nd Street townhouse by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Interior Design

Why Do Clients Who Already Have an Architect Call a Design-Build Firm?

Why do NYC owners who already have architects turn to Gallery KBNY? See how budget gaps, buildability, value engineering, and pre-war conditions play in.

September 30, 2026
20 Mins To Read
Walnut-veneer kitchen with marble slab backsplash, integrated hood and brass pulls at 119 West 82nd Street townhouse by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Interior Design

Evergreen Design Is Driven By Life, Not Social Media Trends

Why lasting NYC apartment design starts with how you cook, entertain and raise a family. Gallery KBNY's design-build team on homes that outlast trend cycles.

September 29, 2026
10 Mins To Read
Flooring and marble fireplace from Upper West Side Co-Op Renovation at 119 West 82nd Street by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Renovation Costs

Why NYC Renovation Budgets Don’t Stop At 30% Of Purchase Price

The 30% rule ties renovation budget to purchase price, overlooking the value gap between an apartment as bought and as renovated, the stronger benchmark.

September 17, 2026
4 Mins To Read
Essential Reading
The four guides most of our clients start with
Cost Per Sq Ft →
2026 planning ranges for NYC renovations
Renovation Timelines →
Realistic timelines, phase by phase
Laws & Approvals →
Permits, boards and building rules
Design-Build vs Architect →
How the two approaches compare
02 · Start Here

Featured Renovation Guides

GuidesNewest
Interior from Gallery KBNY's Tribeca loft renovation at 335 Greenwich Street.

Choosing A Contractor

From Blueprint to Build: How Effective Project Management Streamlines NYC Renovations

Purchasing An Apartment In NYC and Looking to Renovate? Here's What You Need To Know by Gallery KBNY

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Purchasing An Apartment In NYC and Looking to Renovate? Here's What You Need To Know

The NYC Kitchen Accessories Guide: Smarter Storage, Sleeker Design by Gallery KBNY

NYC Interior Design

The NYC Kitchen Accessories Guide: Smarter Storage, Sleeker Design

What Type Of Contractor Do You Need For An Apartment Renovation In NYC? by Gallery KBNY

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What Type Of Contractor Do You Need For An Apartment Renovation In NYC?

03 · The Archive

All Articles

5 Most Asked Questions When Considering A Design-Build Firm In NYC by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

5 Most Asked Questions When Considering A Design-Build Firm In NYC

Get answers to our most frequently asked questions to set expectations for working with a full-service design-build firm for your NYC renovation.

9 Mins To Read

When Should I Start Planning A Co-Op Renovation In NYC? by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Renovation Timelines

When Should I Start Planning A Co-Op Renovation In NYC?

How early you plan an NYC co-op renovation shapes whether you break ground on schedule. See what the approval process requires and when to begin.

5 Mins To Read

How Are Change Orders Handled During Renovations? by Gallery KBNY
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How Are Change Orders Handled During Renovations?

How change orders work in NYC renovations, including what triggers them, how to document them, and how thorough pre-construction planning keeps them rare.

6 Mins To Read

How Can I Tell If A Renovation Estimate Is Transparent? by Gallery KBNY
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How Can I Tell If A Renovation Estimate Is Transparent?

A transparent renovation estimate is itemized, fully scoped, and accounts for all NYC requirements. Learn what to look for before signing with any contractor.

6 Mins To Read

The Advantage of Fully-Integrated Design-Build Firms in NYC Apartment Renovations by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Renovation Costs

The Advantage of Fully-Integrated Design-Build Firms in NYC Apartment Renovations

Aiming for a sizable apartment renovation in NYC? Learn why an all-inclusive design-build approach presents the most client-friendly, comprehensive approach.

8 Mins To Read

What Commonly Causes Delays In NYC Renovations? by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Interior Design

What Commonly Causes Delays In NYC Renovations?

Renovation delays in NYC rarely have a single cause. Here is what actually drives them and what a well-run project does differently.

11 Mins To Read

Renovation Planning for NYC Apartment Buyers: A Complete Guide by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

Renovation Planning for NYC Apartment Buyers: A Complete Guide

Buying a Manhattan co-op or condo that needs renovation? Learn how building rules, costs, timelines, and feasibility shape your decision before an offer.

14 Mins To Read

How We Won 2026 Best Of Houzz For Both Service And Design by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

How We Won 2026 Best Of Houzz For Both Service And Design

For the sixth year in a row, Gallery KBNY took home two Houzz awards for 2026 - best in customer service and best in design.

3 Mins To Read

How Can Budget Overruns Be Prevented In NYC Renovations? by Gallery KBNY
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How Can Budget Overruns Be Prevented In NYC Renovations?

Budget overruns in NYC renovations are a planning problem, not a construction one. Here is how to prevent them before the project starts.

6 Mins To Read

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