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

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.

Landscape Design, Residential Halstead Media Group Landscape Design, Residential Halstead Media Group

Custom Sports Courts in Holbrook, NY: Choosing the Court, the Striping, and the Surface

For a family that plays outside, custom sports courts in Holbrook, NY turn an underused corner of the yard into the place everyone gathers after school and on weekends. 

The hard part is not deciding that you want a court, but deciding which court, which surface, and how it should fit the rest of the property. This guide walks through the choices that shape a custom court, the games it serves and the ground it sits on. It is written for homeowners planning a court they will use for years, not for a quick weekend build.

Read More

The Archive