Island Associates Gets HGTV Closeup

They do landscaping, outside paving and they might even sign an autograph for you.

A Massapequa contractor will get national exposure, when they star in an upcoming episode of HGTV's "Home Rules."

Island Associates, a landscape designer that specializes in stone paving, did a project while the show's cameras were rolling.

"It was a great experience," said company president Douglas Connell. "Everything went smooth. It was very exciting."

"Home Rules" features a life coach who helps people improve their chaotic living conditions by making over their homes.

"They were helping a family with difficulties because they didn't have enough space," said Island Associates marketing head, Tom Mirabella. 

A general contractor was brought in to expand the family home, but that meant the entire outside of the house needed to be redone.

"We came in and installed a paving stone walk and a gravel driveway. It gives the house a brand new appearance," Mirabella said.

It's the type of work they've done for more than a decade. Island Associates opened its doors in Massapequa four years ago after being based in Hicksville. In addition to landscaping and masonry, the company also builds outdoor kitchens, pool-scapes, decks and patios as well as custom outdoor lighting.

They did their HGTV work with cameras pointing at them the entire time, but Connell said he had no idea what footage was going to appear on the show.  Mirabella, who said the company donated their services to the program was unsure when the program would air.

The pressure of working on camera and in front of  TV lights didn't bother the workers at all, in fact they seemed to thrive.

"We did the job in just one day,"  Connell said.  "Everyone was very pleased and the production company couldn't have been more professional."