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.

These 6 Outdoor Lighting Tips Will Bring Your Landscape Design to Life in Southampton, Long Island, NY

The appreciation of the beauty of your landscape doesn’t have to stop when night falls. In fact, the nighttime is probably the best time to show off your landscape with a creative lighting design. A combination of various lighting techniques will turn any backyard into a dreamy paradise at night. These six outdoor lighting tips will bring your landscape design to life.

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Spruce Up Your Holiday Home With These Landscape Design Ideas in Northport and Stony Brook, NY, Areas

In this unprecedented year, the holidays are requiring new traditions, with many people staying close to home. You can spruce up your holiday home with these landscape design ideas in Northport and Stony Brook, NY, areas, and expand your entertaining opportunities to the great outdoors.

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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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Pool, Pool Installations, Outdoor Seating Katya Pankov Pool, Pool Installations, Outdoor Seating Katya Pankov

How to Make Your Swimming Pool Fun and Safe for Your Kids in Southampton and Babylon, NY, Areas

No matter what age your kids are, it’s always fun to gather in and around the pool, but there are also some important safety measures to put in place to make sure that everyone continues to have a good time. Here are some ideas on how to make your swimming pool fun and safe for your kids in the Southampton and Babylon, NY, areas.

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Landscape Design, Outdoor Seating Katya Pankov Landscape Design, Outdoor Seating Katya Pankov

Permanent Seating Designs for an Inviting NY Backyard

Choosing to incorporate permanent seating throughout the backyard spaces of your Mt. Sinai, NY, property has many advantages, from convenience of setup for entertaining, to accommodating a large number of guests. Discuss options unique to your backyard with a landscaping professional for the most inviting and unified layout possible.

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