The Gary Duff Designs Blog

Ideas That Shape the Way Long Island Lives Outdoors

Design is always evolving, and so are the ways we live outside. The Gary Duff Designs Blog shares expert insight, creative inspiration, and time-tested advice from fifty years of landscape design and construction on Long Island, NY.

Outdoor living space with custom pergola, stone patio, and waterfront views in Port Washington, NY
Landscape design featuring layered plantings and a curved stone walkway beside a historic home in Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Explore Our Outdoor Living Insights

  • Create spaces that bring comfort, beauty, and purpose to everyday life.

  • Stay ahead with fresh perspectives from our design team.

  • Discover ideas that reflect the Long Island lifestyle.

  •  Learn how to prepare, plant, and maintain for year-round impact.

  • Practical ways to protect and preserve your investment.

Every article reflects the same principles that define our work: intentional design, enduring craftsmanship, and local expertise.

Where Inspiration Meets Expertise


From patio ideas that make entertaining effortless to seasonal landscaping tips that keep your property thriving, our team brings clarity and creativity to every topic. Whether you’re dreaming, planning, or maintaining, you’ll find guidance rooted in experience and love for the craft.

Don’t Limit Your Outdoor Kitchen Use by Missing Out on Strategic Outdoor Lighting in the Babylon, NY Area

To maximize the use of an outdoor kitchen in the Babylon, NY area, there needs to be a plan for outdoor lighting. Creating an amazing outdoor kitchen involves choosing the right appliances, creating a functional flow, and ensuring you can use the space as your lifestyle dictates.

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What Type of Outdoor Kitchen Design Would Work Best for a Huntington and Northport, NY, Backyard?

Getting the most out of your outdoor living space means transferring some of your most cherished tasks to the outdoors. An outdoor kitchen enables you or another talented cook in your household to create memorable meals right from your backyard. The promise of one of these delicious meals will be sure to draw friends and family and offers up a chance to make some great memories. Here’s how to decide what type of outdoor kitchen design would work best for a Huntington and Northport, NY backyard.

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Outdoor Living, Outdoor Kitchen, Masonry Katya Pankov Outdoor Living, Outdoor Kitchen, Masonry Katya Pankov

6 Ways to Incorporate Masonry in an Outdoor Kitchen With Showstopping Results in Northport and Old Westbury, NY, Areas

One of the best pleasures in life is eating a meal that’s been cooked under the big open sky. Expert masonry in a new outdoor kitchen would add to the overall experience—and encourage more cooking and dining opportunities for your Northport and Old Westbury, NY, area landscape.

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A Quick Guide to Outdoor Lighting for the Outdoor Kitchen on Long Island, NY

An outdoor kitchen is often the hub of backyard entertainment and family time. In order for the kitchen to take you from alfresco breakfasts to late-night parties, this hard-working space needs the right lighting. Here’s a quick guide to outdoor lighting for the outdoor kitchen on Long Island, NY.

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4 Style Options for the Modern Outdoor Kitchen in Huntington and Sag Harbor, NY, Areas

If one of the activities you’ve been doing more of include cooking outside, and your cooking experience hasn’t been ideal, it could be the ideal time to start planning an upgrade. To inspire you, here are four style options for the modern outdoor kitchen in Huntington and Sag Harbor, NY, areas.

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Outdoor Kitchen, Masonry Katya Pankov Outdoor Kitchen, Masonry Katya Pankov

7 Design Ideas to Spruce Up a Small Outdoor Kitchen on Long Island, NY

Enjoying special times with family and friends usually means sharing meals, and these days, that means eating outdoors. If you don’t have the space or the desire to have a full outdoor kitchen, you can still have a chic and functional space. Here are seven design ideas to spruce up a small outdoor kitchen on Long Island, NY.

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The Archive