Penny Fallman May

The Situation
What’s the secret to hiring an honest contractor? Good references can help, particularly from design professionals who have done numerous projects with the contractor.

But the single best way to keep your contractor honest is by writing the tightest contract and/or letter of agreement you possibly can. 

The Situation

Most New Yorkers who own their apartments understand that enduring other people's renovations comes with the vertical territory.

Eighty-five percent of the time, neighbors grin and bear it, knowing they might be the ones asking for understanding the next time. 

But construction-related annoyances occasionally result in dramatic reactions.  Neighbors vent at the super, managing agent or the resident doing the renovating, or they demand to get the construction stopped or timed to suit his or her schedule.

The Situation

Nothing lasts forever, and the fussy ostentation characterizing the pre-recession renovations of many classic prewar New York City apartments is finally giving way to a cleaner, more modern look.

One good reason: As even my most traditional clients have realized, it’s cheaper to achieve a great look if the materials are simpler.

Here’s the deal

Here are the five major trends I’ve been noticing lately:

1. Kitchens

The Situation

We’ve all been seduced by products and materials that we’ve seen in high-end shelter magazines.  But as I have learned through my own personal renovations and those of my clients, there are usually some decisions that you will live to regret, especially (but not always) if you fail to do your research first.

Here’s the deal

Here are eight products that belong on a long list of things to avoid--or to be handled with care--in any residential renovation: