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

How Cove Lighting Can Enhance Your NYC Apartment Renovation by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Interior Design

How Cove Lighting Can Enhance Your NYC Apartment Renovation

Discover why cove lighting is a top choice for illuminating small spaces in Manhattan and Brooklyn renovations.

12 Mins To Read

335 Greenwich Street Tribeca loft renovation, featured image for Gallery KBNY's whole home rewiring guide
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Whole Home Rewiring In NYC: Costs & Tips To Consider

Old wiring can short-circuit your renovation. Here’s when to rewire, what it costs, and how to plan properly.

10 Mins To Read

Central Park-area apartment renovation, featured image for Gallery KBNY's pre-war sponsor unit guide
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

Renovating a Pre-War Sponsor Unit in NYC: What You Should Know and Key Factors to Consider

Lucky enough to find a pre-war sponsor unit and considering purchasing to renovate? Read as we set expectations for the process.

12 Mins To Read

Pre-war apartment building on Central Park West, landmarked NYC renovation by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

Seven Months, One Building: What Design-Build Is Worth On A Landmarked Pre-War Renovation

A Gallery KBNY case study on a landmarked pre-war NYC renovation - one design-build team held the schedule, while the unit above stalled for seven months.

11 Mins To Read

Fifth Avenue pre-war apartment renovation with original hardwood floors by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

Can You Keep Your Original Floors During a Renovation?

A layout change does not mean starting your floors over. Learn how Gallery KBNY weaves new hardwood into original pre-war floors and finishes them as one.

7 Mins To Read

Tribeca co-op loft renovation at 335 Greenwich Street by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

Why Your Bathroom Can't Move (And When It Can): Waste Lines, Venting, and What Probes Reveal in Manhattan Apartments

Waste lines, venting, and probes decide whether a Manhattan bathroom can move. A design-build guide to relocating wet areas in co-ops and condos.

12 Mins To Read

Can You Add A Bathroom In A Co-Op In NYC? by Gallery KBNY
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Planning Your NYC Renovation

Can You Add A Bathroom In A Co-Op In NYC?

Drainage, stacks, and board rules decide it. Here is when a NYC co-op bathroom addition is actually possible.

10 Mins To Read

Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Renovation Guide: Tile Styles & Design Ideas by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Apartment Renovations

Mid-Century Modern Bathroom Renovation Guide: Tile Styles & Design Ideas

Mid-century modern shines as a full-home design language, with walnut, marble, and brass used consistently from kitchen to en-suite to powder room.

11 Mins To Read

NYC Renovation Questions Everyone Asks (Answered by Experts) by Gallery KBNY
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NYC Renovation Questions Everyone Asks (Answered by Experts)

The questions Gallery KBNY gets asked most about renovating in NYC, answered the way we'd answer in person

8 Mins To Read

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