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.

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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Pool, Pool Installations Katya Pankov Pool, Pool Installations Katya Pankov

7 Nature-Inspired Swimming Pool Design Ideas for in the Huntington, Long Island, NY, Area

Spending time in nature is good for the body, mind, and soul. There are many features you can add onto your existing pool, or incorporate into a new, customized design for a pool, to create a nature-inspired ambiance that will make you feel like you stepped out of your house and onto the calming shores of a lake. Here are seven nature-inspired swimming pool design ideas for the Huntington, Long Island, NY, area.

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Pool, Landscape Design Katya Pankov Pool, Landscape Design Katya Pankov

Landscape Design Tips for Keeping the Kids Safe and Entertained During Quarantine in Stony Brook, NY

Happy kids mean happy parents. But keeping kids happy in these challenging times is no small feat. While “go outside and play” has become a standby for parents, it’s also important to provide children with a safe place to play, and offer enough opportunities for creative play that will keep the kids from coming back inside with pleas that there’s nothing to do. Here are our landscape design tips for keeping the kids safe and entertained during quarantine in Stony Brook, NY.

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