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.

Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

Including an Ornamental Fence in Your Backyard Designs in Oyster Bay, NY

A fence can enhance your home’s aesthetic as well as provide enhanced privacy and security. Today, homeowners have many choices when it comes to fences that are both functional and attractive. Here are some tips for including an ornamental fence in your backyard designs in Oyster Bay, NY.

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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

5 Landscape Architecture Ideas for Creating Private Outdoor Living Spaces in Long Island, NY

If you are like most homeowners, spending time in your outdoor space with family and friends is something that you look forward to all year long. The need for privacy is paramount during the special time of year when it’s warm and these gatherings can happen often. Here are some landscape architecture ideas for creating a private outdoor living space in Long Island, NY:

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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

Patio Designs for Easy Navigation and Traffic Flow in Port Jefferson

An ill-designed patio isn’t always obviously poorly planned out until it’s in use. Once the furniture is brought in, guests arrive, and people begin to move around the space, only then will some defects become apparent. Issues with space, entrance and exits, and clear walking room should be taken care of during the design process to ensure that your Port Jefferson, NY, patio design facilitates easy navigation and traffic flow.

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The Archive