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

Gallery KBNY's brownstone renovation project in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.
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Brownstone Renovation

How To Choose A Brownstone Contractor

Thinking about renovating a NYC Brownstone? Be prepared. Know the pontential challenges when it comes to Brownstone renovation before you start.

12 Mins To Read

Politics & Etiquette In NYC Apartment Renovations: What To Know & Why They Matter by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

Politics & Etiquette In NYC Apartment Renovations: What To Know & Why They Matter

Client etiquette and building politics can make or break your apartment renovation in NYC.

6 Mins To Read

How to Choose a Renovation Contractor on the Upper East Side: The 2026 Guide for Co-op, Condo & Townhouse Owners by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

How to Choose a Renovation Contractor on the Upper East Side: The 2026 Guide for Co-op, Condo & Townhouse Owners

The 2026 guide to vetting Upper East Side renovation contractors for co-ops, condos, and townhouses: delivery models, evaluation criteria, and local risks.

14 Mins To Read

Interior from Gallery KBNY's Sutton Place co-op renovation at 245 East 54th Street, Unit 30LM.
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

What To Know About Renovating A Co-Op In NYC

Prepare for a co-op renovation in NYC with our complete guide on rules, regulations, and what to expect throughout the process.

13 Mins To Read

What To Know About Renovation Approvals And Permitting In NYC by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Apartment Renovations

What To Know About Renovation Approvals And Permitting In NYC

Before overhauling your home, consider the complications surrounding NYC renovation approvals and permits.

10 Mins To Read

How to Make Your Work From Home Space a Sanctuary by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Apartment Renovations

How to Make Your Work From Home Space a Sanctuary

Check out some offices from our portfolio and get tips for how to craft your ideal work from home space – and how we can help.

5 Mins To Read

How Much Do Interior Designers Cost in Manhattan? by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

How Much Do Interior Designers Cost in Manhattan?

Breaking down what goes into the cost of an interior designer for Manhattan renovations.

11 Mins To Read

Do I Need to Hire An Architect for My NYC Renovation? by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

Do I Need to Hire An Architect for My NYC Renovation?

Find out when NYC renovations need an architect, and when a design-build firm may be the smarter choice.

10 Mins To Read

Custom-built library from Gallery KBNY's full renovation of a pre-war co-op at 1035 5th Avenue, Manhattan.
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Ask Gallery

How Tariffs Are Raising NYC Renovation Costs And the Smartest Way to Manage Them

Tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber are raising NYC renovation costs, from electrical work to cabinetry. See how a design-build firm protects timelines.

8 Mins To Read

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