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

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

Our Favorite Co-Op Renovations In Manhattan by Gallery KBNY
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Kitchen Renovation

Our Favorite Co-Op Renovations In Manhattan

Six favorite Manhattan co-op and condo renovations from Gallery KBNY, plus how our design-build team manages co-op board approvals, engineers and DOB filings.

5 Mins To Read

Countertop Materials: From Quartz to Marble and Everything In Between by Gallery KBNY
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Kitchen Renovation

Countertop Materials: From Quartz to Marble and Everything In Between

Every kitchen has a countertop material that suits it, for practical or aesthetic reasons. Gallery KBNY breaks down the top eight materials for NYC kitchens.

5 Mins To Read

Benefits Of Combined Design & Architecture Planning For Your Apartment Renovation by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

Benefits Of Combined Design & Architecture Planning For Your Apartment Renovation

Learn how combining design and architecture streamlines your NYC renovation, eliminates friction, and ensures cohesive, buildable results from start to finish.

7 Mins To Read

In-Depth Co-Op Board Approval Process For Complex NYC Renovations: What to Expect by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

In-Depth Co-Op Board Approval Process For Complex NYC Renovations: What to Expect

Learn what NYC co-op boards require for major renovations, how the approval process works, and how Gallery helps clients navigate permits and reviews.

5 Mins To Read

Interior of a studio apartment at 144 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, used to illustrate the fixer-upper renovation topic discussed in this guide.
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NYC Apartment Renovations

Are Fixer Uppers in NYC Worth the Work?

Renovating a fixer-upper in NYC can be both rewarding and challenging. Here's how to ensure a smooth process.

14 Mins To Read

3 Luxury Kitchen Design Features and Their More Affordable Alternatives by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Interior Design

3 Luxury Kitchen Design Features and Their More Affordable Alternatives

These three feature alternatives will keep your kitchen renovation manageable and on budget without sacrificing the design.

10 Mins To Read

Leveling Floors During A NYC Renovation: Design & Cost Implications by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Renovation Costs

Leveling Floors During A NYC Renovation: Design & Cost Implications

Hidden floor issues often surface mid-renovation, but a design build partner ensures problems are solved before they become expensive delays.

6 Mins To Read

Don’t Overlook The Details: The Mundane Mistakes That Derail Pre-War Renovations In NYC by Gallery KBNY
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Pre-War Renovation

Don’t Overlook The Details: The Mundane Mistakes That Derail Pre-War Renovations In NYC

In NYC renovations, especially pre-war buildings, the smallest details carry the most weight in whether a home feels complete. Here are the ones to watch.

9 Mins To Read

Apartment interior at 303 East 43rd Street, Unit 22C, New York, NY, illustrating the soundproofing topic discussed in this NYC renovation guide.
New

NYC Apartment Renovations

Here’s How You Can Soundproof An Apartment, Even in NYC

Noise complaints have reached epidemic proportions in New York City. Ensure you keep your sanity by soundproofing your NYC apartment.

8 Mins To Read

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