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.

Masonry Katya Pankov Masonry Katya Pankov

Masonry Options: Ideas for a Beautiful Driveway in Deer Park and Manhasset, NY

In many ways, your driveway is likely a key feature of your landscape that often gets overlooked, even though the surface makes up a large percentage of your overall landscape. As you consider considerable updates to your driveway, keep in mind whether you want your driveway to shine brighter in your landscape. There are many ways to make it more beautiful, long-lasting, and functional. Here are some masonry options for a new driveway in Deer Park and Manhasset, NY.

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Landscape Design, Masonry, Outdoor Living Katya Pankov Landscape Design, Masonry, Outdoor Living Katya Pankov

How to Choose the Right Masonry for Your Next Outdoor Living Project in Stony Brook and Northport, NY Areas

Enhancing your outdoor living space in Stony Brook and Northport, NY, can transform your experiences with friends and family. What makes many landscapes incredible—and personalized—is expert masonry. Masonry gives your outdoor living space a timeless quality. After all, the stone is the original building material, and the look of stone stands the test of time. Whether your next outdoor living project involves a new patio, walkway, pool deck, driveway, or another landscape feature, you will have some decisions ahead involving masonry.

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Outdoor Spaces, Masonry Katya Pankov Outdoor Spaces, Masonry Katya Pankov

7 Ideas That Incorporate Masonry Into a Landscape Design in Huntington, Long Island NY Area

During your landscape renovation, you will want to think about what will last long into the future. Masonry is built with time in mind, and there are many ways to incorporate it into your landscape. Consider how you like to spend your days in your outdoor living space, whether it is a fun activity, exercise, or relaxation. Here are seven ideas that incorporate masonry into a landscape design in Huntington, Long Island, NY.

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Landscape Design, Masonry Katya Pankov Landscape Design, Masonry Katya Pankov

Combining Modern Landscape Design With Historical Masonry in Huntington, NY

If you are drawn to modern landscape design ideas but also like the look of more traditional masonry, you could combine the best of both worlds as you refresh your Huntington, NY, property. Historical masonry may seem to be at odds with modern landscapes, but the two can be surprisingly compatible. You can embrace the contrast with stunning effect.

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