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.

Patio, Game Courts Katya Pankov Patio, Game Courts Katya Pankov

Incorporating Game Courts and Putting Greens Into Your Patio Designs in Huntington, NY

Entertaining kids outdoors while social distancing isn’t easy, and parents can also get a hefty dose of cabin fever. For anyone whose sports skills are languishing because gyms and athletic facilities are closed, a great solution could be incorporating game courts and putting greens into the rest of your Huntington, NY, landscape renovation plans.

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Masonry Katya Pankov Masonry Katya Pankov

Personalize Your Patio or Driveway with Custom Masonry in Port Washington, NY

Do you want your outdoor living space to stand out and express your personality? An artistic combination of design elements and unexpected personal touches can create a unique look that you can admire every time you step outside or return home after a long day. Here’s how to achieve a personalized patio or driveway with custom masonry in Port Washington, NY.

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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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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

How to Make Your Outdoor Kitchen More Convenient in Huntington, NY

As more homeowners embrace the benefits of outdoor living, function as well as beauty are important in making the experience an enjoyable one. You may need to add a few amenities to your outdoor kitchen or look into having the design changed up to make it more convenient for the cook and diners. Here’s how to make your outdoor kitchen more convenient in Huntington, NY.

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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

It's Spring Time! Is Your Swimming Pool Ready? Tips for Babylon, NY, Homeowners

If you’re looking out of your kitchen window longing for warm, lazy poolside summer days, you can take solace in the fact that it won’t be long before everyone is splashing and having fun. But there’s a bit of work to do before the first cannonball. As you think about what your swimming pool needs to be ready for its peak season, consider these tips for Babylon, NY, homeowners.

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Katya Pankov Katya Pankov

Protect Your Outdoor Kitchen With a Pergola, Cabana, or Gazebo in Port Jefferson, NY

Thinking ahead to the summer entertaining season: Does your outdoor cooking experience usually result in a sunburned neck? Do you have a habit of inadvertently scheduling parties that include rainfall, which leads to a quick scattering of guests toward the indoors? Now is the perfect time to look into adding the finishing touch and protect your outdoor kitchen with a pergola, cabana, or gazebo in Port Jefferson, NY.

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