Whether you have a brownstone, limestone, wood or brick façade, if you own a townhouse in New York City, you are a steward of an important piece of our city’s built history.  Most townhouses were constructed sometime during the late 19th to early 20th century to accommodate the rapidly expanding population of NYC’s merchant class. This prized real estate — with narrow footprints and deep lots — results in homes with historic character, layers of craftsmanship, signature layouts, and specific structural demands that all inform how these homes are renovated today.

Anyone considering a residential interior design project in New York City should arm themselves with as much information as possible. In this article we address four major issues inherent to a residential renovation: aesthetics, timeline, budget, and architectural constraints.