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

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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

The Essential Updates For A Fixer-Upper Renovation In NYC by Gallery KBNY
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The Essential Updates For A Fixer-Upper Renovation In NYC

The most impactful updates when transforming a NYC fixer-upper should add value, style, and function to your new home.

11 Mins To Read

How Long Does An NYC Renovation Take? The Three Phases, Explained by Gallery KBNY
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Bathroom Renovation

How Long Does An NYC Renovation Take? The Three Phases, Explained

A planning guide to the three phases of any NYC gut renovation, from one bathroom to a full apartment: what happens in each, who owns it, and what delays it.

11 Mins To Read

Why Gallery KBNY Is One of the Top Design-Build Firms for Manhattan Renovations
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Pre-War Renovation

Why Gallery KBNY Is One of the Top Design-Build Firms for Manhattan Renovations

Gallery KBNY delivers over 70% of Manhattan renovations with zero change orders and under 5% cost deviation, ranking among NYC's top design-build contractors.

7 Mins To Read

Understanding The Impact Of Home Architectural Styles On Renovation Choices by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

Understanding The Impact Of Home Architectural Styles On Renovation Choices

Find out how NYC's architectural legacy guides renovation choices, creating homes that mix classic styles with modern charm.

10 Mins To Read

Manhattan apartment renovation by Gallery KBNY at 328 Albany Street in Battery Park
New

NYC Renovation Costs

How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Architect for a NYC Apartment Renovation?

NYC architect fees typically run 10% to 20% of construction cost. Gallery KBNY explains what they cover, where hidden costs emerge and when design-build wins.

19 Mins To Read

Kitchen at 150 Columbus Avenue, an Upper West Side condo renovation by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

Why Nuance Wins: The Strategic Planning Details That Make or Break a NYC Renovation

Two NYC renovation case studies show why small details matter. Gallery KBNY covers amperage surprises, PTAC cascades, board rules, and planning decisions.

19 Mins To Read

7 Common Misconceptions About Design Build Renovations In NYC by Gallery KBNY
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Choosing A Contractor

7 Common Misconceptions About Design Build Renovations In NYC

Considering a design build renovation but unsure if the all-inclusive approach adds up? Let us help clear up any confusion.

8 Mins To Read

Upper East Side pre-war co-op renovation by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Renovation Costs

How Much Does It Cost to Renovate an Estate-Condition Pre-War Apartment on the Upper East Side?

Buying an estate-condition UES pre-war? Read this first.

18 Mins To Read

The 3 Tricks to a Child-Friendly Kitchen Remodel by Gallery KBNY
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Kitchen Renovation

The 3 Tricks to a Child-Friendly Kitchen Remodel

Planning a kitchen renovation in NYC and have children? These three tricks are essential to a safe and child-friendly kitchen remodel.

5 Mins To Read

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