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

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

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

Breaking down the various types of contractors for NYC apartment renovations.

8 Mins To Read

Interior process work from Gallery KBNY's pre-war co-op renovation at 1035 5th Avenue, Manhattan.
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Ask Gallery

Tips To Earn A Smooth Building Permit Approval Process For New York City Renovations

When not handled appropriately, permits and approvals can severely disrupt your NYC renovation.

10 Mins To Read

Interior Design Architect vs Interior Designer: What's the Difference? by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

Interior Design Architect vs Interior Designer: What's the Difference?

Does your NYC home renovation call for an interior architect or an interior designer? Here is how the two roles differ and fit into your larger project.

9 Mins To Read

Over-the-top AI-generated luxury kitchen rendering with Central Park views, chandeliers, and a sculptural marble tub centerpiece, used as this article's illustration of an unrealistic AI rendering
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NYC Interior Design

AI Renderings vs. Buildable Plans: A NYC Renovation Reality Check

AI rendering tools overlook NYC renovation realities. Gallery KBNY details what they miss and how design-build turns inspiration into a buildable plan.

9 Mins To Read

How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation in NYC Take? A 2026 Timeline Breakdown by Gallery KBNY
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Kitchen Renovation

How Long Does a Kitchen Renovation in NYC Take? A 2026 Timeline Breakdown

How long does remodeling a kitchen take? Let’s break down the challenges surrounding NYC kitchen renovations.

10 Mins To Read

Gallery KBNY crew installing steel support beams while opening a wall during a NYC apartment renovation, illustrating the structural work covered by an alteration agreement.
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NYC Apartment Renovations

NYC Alteration Agreement Guide: Process, Timeline, and Submission Requirements

Learn how NYC co-op and condo alteration agreements work, including board submission requirements, approval timelines, and contractor insurance limits.

10 Mins To Read

NYC Kids' Room Design: How to Combine Storage, Study, and Play in a Small Apartment by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

NYC Kids' Room Design: How to Combine Storage, Study, and Play in a Small Apartment

Discover the art of converting a NYC apartment's kids' room into a versatile safe space, harmonizing storage, study, and play in a space-efficient manner.

10 Mins To Read

Should I Hire An Architect Or Interior Designer For My NYC Renovation? by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

Should I Hire An Architect Or Interior Designer For My NYC Renovation?

Should you hire an architect or an interior designer for your NYC renovation? The answer follows your project scope, design goals, and building requirements.

6 Mins To Read

The Pre-Closing Renovation Step That Changes Everything by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

The Pre-Closing Renovation Step That Changes Everything

A pre-purchase renovation consultation shows NYC buyers what an apartment can become before closing. Gallery KBNY covers the hidden costs it reveals.

10 Mins To Read

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