Renovating Together: How Couples Navigate Home Projects

A few weeks ago, The New York Times reached out to us asking if we’d weigh in on a Valentine’s Day–themed article about couples, relationships, and renovating — an odd request at face value, but realistically something we know quite a bit about.

Renovations have a way of bringing everything to the surface at once, from budgets and timelines to project priorities and compromises. For couples making decisions together, what starts as a conversation about tile or floor plans quickly becomes a series of choices that affect how they live day to day. This natural dynamic is one we see on nearly every project, and a big reason we put so much emphasis on planning and communication from the start.

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Residential renovations aren’t just about the finished space. They’re inherently personal, emotional, and often tied to major life moments. As Alex Ushyarov, our Director of Business Development, shared in the article:

“If you’re having serious marital problems, you probably shouldn’t embark on a renovation. It’s not going to be good for anyone.”

That kind of honesty is core to how we work. We believe clients are best served when they have a clear, realistic understanding of what a renovation entails, both practically and personally. We’re proud our open book perspective resonated enough to be included alongside other industry voices in the conversation. As anyone who follows our Design & Reno Blog knows, we always appreciate the opportunity to contribute to a conversation that reflects what renovation really involves, not just what it looks like at the end.

You can read the full New York Times article here, or explore more of our recent renovation work to see how that philosophy comes to life.

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Looking for more insight as you plan a renovation? Gallery KBNY is a New York City–based design-build firm specializing in co-op, condo, and pre-war apartment renovations across Manhattan and Brooklyn. We offer an award-winning, full-service approach to loft renovations in NYC that includes everything from interior design and architecture services to building/board approvals and construction management. That's why we're different from other renovations and remodel firms in NYC. We’re experts in combining two apartments into one, room creations, full gut renovations and all that falls in between. Let us bring your dream home to life. Let’s design-build together.