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.
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
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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

Toe-kick lighting at the front and back of a kitchen at The Newbury, a Yorkville co-op renovation by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Interior Design

The Impact and Value of Layered Lighting in a Manhattan Apartment Renovation

Layered lighting defines a high-end Manhattan renovation. Gallery KBNY explains ambient, task, accent, and decorative layers plus dimming logic.

7 Mins To Read

Pre-war Upper East Side co-op renovation by Gallery KBNY
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Ask Gallery

What They Don't Tell You About Renovating in NYC: When the Resident Manager Goes Rogue

How Gallery KBNY navigates building staff dynamics, informal payment requests, and co-op politics during high-end Manhattan apartment renovations.

7 Mins To Read

Interior from Gallery KBNY's Brooklyn renovation at 61 Pierrepont Street.
New

NYC Apartment Renovations

The 1 Thing To Know Before Opening Up A Load-Bearing Wall In Your NYC Apartment

Opening up that wall without proper planning might be a big mistake.

6 Mins To Read

Can You Renovate A Condo In NYC? by Gallery KBNY
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Ask Gallery

Can You Renovate A Condo In NYC?

Yes, you can renovate a condo or co-op in NYC. Gallery KBNY covers wet-over-dry rules, plumbing stacks, alteration agreements and board approval for both.

7 Mins To Read

The True Cost of Renovating a Three-Bedroom Apartment in Manhattan by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

The True Cost of Renovating a Three-Bedroom Apartment in Manhattan

Ready to renovate your NYC three-bedroom? Our expert guide breaks down what to expect, especially when it comes to costs.

8 Mins To Read

Gallery KBNY's brownstone gut renovation project in New York City.
New

NYC Renovation Costs

How Much Does It Cost To Gut Renovate A Brownstone?

Budget for your upcoming brownstone renovation in NYC with our complete guide on costs and unexpected expenses.

5 Mins To Read

388 Bridge Street Downtown Brooklyn condo renovation, featured image for Gallery KBNY's condo cost guide
New

NYC Renovation Costs

How Much Does It Cost To Renovate A Condo In NYC?

Prepare for a condo renovation in NYC with our complete guide on baseline costs and potential unforeseen expenses throughout the process.

12 Mins To Read

The Hidden Costs Of Renovating A NYC Pre-War Apartment by Gallery KBNY
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Pre-War Renovation

The Hidden Costs Of Renovating A NYC Pre-War Apartment

Estate-condition pre-war apartments in NYC carry costs well beyond design. Gallery KBNY breaks down what sits behind the walls and how to budget for it.

11 Mins To Read

Small Kitchen Design & Renovation Tips To Maximize Your NYC Kitchen Space by Gallery KBNY
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Kitchen Renovation

Small Kitchen Design & Renovation Tips To Maximize Your NYC Kitchen Space

Planning guide for Manhattan and Brooklyn owners with a compact kitchen: what smart design solves within the footprint, and when the answer is architectural.

12 Mins To Read

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