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

View All Articles →
AD Italia Features Our Williamsburg Loft Renovation With Nicholas Obeid — Gallery KBNY
New
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.
New
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
New
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
New
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
New
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

Ask Gallery

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

Ask Gallery

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

03 · The Archive

All Articles

What Affects The Timeline Of A NYC Renovation Most? by Gallery KBNY
New

NYC Apartment Renovations

What Affects The Timeline Of A NYC Renovation Most?

Six variables drive every NYC renovation timeline and most homeowners only discover them after the schedule has already slipped.

7 Mins To Read

Everything To Know Before Renovating A Townhouse by Gallery KBNY
New

Brownstone Renovation

Everything To Know Before Renovating A Townhouse

Planning a townhouse renovation? Make sure to examine the finer points of renovating a townhouse in New York City.

8 Mins To Read

How To Start The Apartment Renovation Process In NYC (2026 Guide) by Gallery KBNY
New

Ask Gallery

How To Start The Apartment Renovation Process In NYC (2026 Guide)

Starting an NYC apartment renovation in 2026: choosing a partner, real costs, required permits, and the pre-construction timeline from a design-build firm.

18 Mins To Read

The Practical Advantages of Full-Service Design Over Interior Design Alone by Gallery KBNY
New

Choosing A Contractor

The Practical Advantages of Full-Service Design Over Interior Design Alone

From layout feasibility to DOB approvals, full-service design handles what interior design can’t. Here’s why NYC homeowners benefit from one integrated team.

5 Mins To Read

How Involved Do I Need To Be During A Renovation Of An Apartment In NYC? by Gallery KBNY
New

Ask Gallery

How Involved Do I Need To Be During A Renovation Of An Apartment In NYC?

In a well-run NYC renovation, your involvement is measured in decisions, not hours.

11 Mins To Read

Renovating Together: How Couples Navigate Home Projects by Gallery KBNY
New

Ask Gallery

Renovating Together: How Couples Navigate Home Projects

Renovations often surface more than design choices. Our perspective, featured in The New York Times, on how couples navigate renovation decisions together.

3 Mins To Read

NYC Smart Home Renovation Guide: 10 Upgrades, Costs, and Infrastructure Specs by Gallery KBNY
New

NYC Apartment Renovations

NYC Smart Home Renovation Guide: 10 Upgrades, Costs, and Infrastructure Specs

Ten smart home upgrades to integrate during a NYC apartment renovation, with cost ranges, platform comparisons, and electrical and low-voltage specs.

7 Mins To Read

6 Ways to Prepare for a Home Renovation by Gallery KBNY
New

Ask Gallery

6 Ways to Prepare for a Home Renovation

Use these 6 tips from the experts at Gallery KBNY to help you prepare for your next NYC home renovation.

6 Mins To Read

High-floor modern kitchen and dining area with a marble island and skyline view, from a Gallery KBNY renovation.
New

Planning Your NYC Renovation

6 Key Considerations When Planning A Penthouse Renovation In Manhattan

A NYC penthouse renovation elevates luxury and function while bringing its own challenges. From window replacements to electrical upgrades, see what to weigh.

10 Mins To Read

Schedule Consultation
Contact

Start Your Project With Us

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Gallery. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form