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.

Smart Outdoor Kitchen and Patio Ideas for Maximizing Space in Smithtown & Cold Spring Harbor, NY Homes

Transforming your outdoor living space into a luxurious kitchen and patio area is an exceptional way to enhance your lifestyle. For homeowners in Smithtown and Cold Spring Harbor, NY, creating an inviting and functional outdoor space requires thoughtful design, selection of high-quality materials, and expert craftsmanship. 

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The Ultimate Swimming Pool Planning Guide for Stony Brook and Long Island, NY Residents

Embarking on the journey of adding a swimming pool in Stony Brook and Long Island, NY, promises to enhance your outdoor living space significantly. This guide offers essential insights and steps to ensure a seamless and successful swimming pool project tailored to your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.

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Designing a Durable Outdoor Kitchen With Masonry Techniques in Brookville. NY

Designing a durable outdoor kitchen is a dream for many homeowners, especially in Brookville, NY, where the blend of nature and luxury living is paramount. Masonry techniques have long been the cornerstone of enduring and elegant construction, blending functionality and personal style. Here’s how you can elevate your outdoor living through the art and mastery of expert masonry and an outdoor kitchen.

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Outdoor Spaces Katya Pankov Outdoor Spaces Katya Pankov

Take Advantage of Your Large Backyard by Adding an Outdoor Kitchen to Your Landscape Design in Port Washington, NY

There are so many wonderful memories to create when you and your family can enjoy a meal together in your Port Washington, NY, backyard. When you include an outdoor kitchen in your landscape design, you can customize it to your cooking and entertaining style—in fact, no other backyard feature offers such an amazing capacity for creative expression.

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Feature the Chef: 5 Ideas for Putting the Focus on Your Outdoor Kitchen in Southampton and Babylon, NY

Dining outside with friends and family is one of life’s great pleasures, especially outdoors in Southampton and Babylon, NY. Outdoor kitchens provide chefs, both amateur and professional, with the opportunity of showcasing their talents as well as the beauty of the backyard. Building the perfect outdoor kitchen can be a great passion project, so it’s important to start with some solid ideas.

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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

9 Must-Have Outdoor Fireplace Accessories

If you’re thinking about adding an outdoor fireplace to your Port Washington, NY, chances are it will instantly become a focal point of your outdoor living space. Nothing beats the warmth and cozy ambience of a fire after all. But there’s more to an outdoor fireplace than the flames—you can make your fireside experience even better with these nine must-have outdoor fireplace accessories.

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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

Snug Outdoor Kitchen Designs Perfect for Small Backyards in Babylon

When it comes to creating a lavish outdoor kitchen in Babylon, NY, size is not all that matters. Even though you may lack space in your backyard, there are various design tricks and techniques with which you can create a memorable outdoor kitchen. A functional, and fantastically fancy kitchen can be built from the bare essentials.

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