Thursday, October 1, 2026
For many Long Island homeowners, the backyard has become more than a place to grill or garden. Increasingly, it serves as an extension of the home — a private retreat for relaxation, entertaining and everyday living.
That was the goal for Kim and Theron Grant of Malverne when they hired Joseph DeVito, a realtor with Douglas Elliman and a designer specializing in interior, landscape and masonry projects, to completely reimagine their outdoor space.
“We decided Malverne is our place,” Kim said. “We wanted our home to be our sanctuary, and we realized the backyard was the next step.”
DeVito approached the project with a full-service design philosophy, coordinating every aspect of the renovation, from masonry and landscaping to lighting and furnishings.
“I handle the entire process,” DeVito said. “I coordinate all the trades and create a vision that allows clients to enjoy the transformation without managing all the details themselves.”
The project involved removing an aging patio, redesigning the layout, installing artificial turf, adding privacy plantings and flowering trees, and creating distinct spaces for dining, lounging and gathering around a fire pit.
“Most people dream about spaces like this and think they can’t have them,” DeVito said. “My job is to help them see what’s possible.”
Completed in about two months, the renovation dramatically changed both the appearance and functionality of the property.
“It feels like we added living space to our home,” Kim said. “We now have separate areas for dining, relaxing and entertaining. We use the space every day.”
Visitors have noticed the difference as well.
“A lot of people say the backyard actually looks bigger now,” Theron said. “Because the space is designed so efficiently, it feels larger and much more functional.”
Among the homeowners’ favorite additions is a fountain, one of DeVito’s signature design elements.
“At first I wasn’t sure about it,” Theron said. “Now it’s one of my favorite things. The sound of the water is incredibly peaceful. It completely changes the atmosphere.”
For DeVito, creating beautiful outdoor spaces is about more than aesthetics or resale value.
“Yes, landscaping can add value to a home,” he said. “But the real value is how it changes the way people live. If you can create a space where people feel like they’re on vacation every day, that’s something truly special.”
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