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.

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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Outdoor Living, Outdoor Kitchen, Masonry Katya Pankov Outdoor Living, Outdoor Kitchen, Masonry Katya Pankov

6 Ways to Incorporate Masonry in an Outdoor Kitchen With Showstopping Results in Northport and Old Westbury, NY, Areas

One of the best pleasures in life is eating a meal that’s been cooked under the big open sky. Expert masonry in a new outdoor kitchen would add to the overall experience—and encourage more cooking and dining opportunities for your Northport and Old Westbury, NY, area landscape.

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Spruce Up Your Holiday Home With These Landscape Design Ideas in Northport and Stony Brook, NY, Areas

In this unprecedented year, the holidays are requiring new traditions, with many people staying close to home. You can spruce up your holiday home with these landscape design ideas in Northport and Stony Brook, NY, areas, and expand your entertaining opportunities to the great outdoors.

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Planning Your Swimming Pool for Next Summer in Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY

Next summer in Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY, can be all about having the most fun possible in your customized swimming pool. Whether you expect to have many guests or plan to keep things intimate next summer, customizing your pool allows you to make your mark on seasonal enjoyment.

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Outdoor Living, Pergola Katya Pankov Outdoor Living, Pergola Katya Pankov

3 Materials to Pair With a Wooden Pergola in Deer Park and Old Westbury, NY Area

Pergolas are a wonderful addition to an outdoor living space. They offer shade from the blazing sun as well as a touch of sophistication. Sometimes, though, they stick out and don’t seem to be quite as integrated into the space as they could be. To help a wooden pergola fit in visually, here are three materials to pair with it in the Deer Park and Old Westbury, NY, areas.

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Outdoor Living, Outdoor Fireplace Katya Pankov Outdoor Living, Outdoor Fireplace Katya Pankov

Turning an Outdoor Fireplace Into a Gathering Space With the Right Seating Options in Sag Harbor and Huntington, NY

An outdoor fireplace could be much more than a luxurious feature in a landscape in Sag Harbor or Huntington, NY. It would allow you more time to enjoy your outdoor space, and it would create additional opportunities for relaxing and entertaining—that is, if you have the right seating. Here are our tips for turning an outdoor fireplace into a gathering space with the right seating options.

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The Archive