AboutSean J Murphy, LA Expertise I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I am not a horticulturist though so I can not answer questions on pests or diseases of plants. I also can answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more.
Experience I have been doing landscaping since I was 8 years old. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I have been practicing professionally for 13 years in Atlanta and the south east US. I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has won many awards. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Olympic games, and REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando). I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Department Manager of the Planning and Landscape Architecture Department of a local Multi-Disciplinary firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. you may preview our work at www.amenityarchitects.com. My new employer is SoutheasternEngineering, Inc. see www.seenginering.com
I am also part owner in the family business Murphy's Garden Art also see at www.murphysgardenart.com.
Organizations American Society of Landscape Architects,
Keep Smyrna Beautiful,
ULI,
Smyrna Downtown Development Authority,
Smyrna Downtown Task Force,
Publications Landscape Architect and Specifier News,
Atlanta Homes Magazine,
Landscape Architecture Magazine,
Coastal Living, Magazine
Education/Credentials Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988,
Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994,
Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994,
University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995,
Post University Mini MBA 2000,
Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993,
Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993,
Awards and Honors ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN,
ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta.
Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006.
South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design,
Many more!!! too many to list here
Past/Present clients
Georgia Governor Roy Barnes,
The State of Georgia,
City of Powdersprings,
City of Stockbridge,
Post Properties,
Bayfair Homes,
John Willis Homes,
Pulty Homes,
Serenbe Development,
Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon,
Question our backyard slopes uphill to a road. from the road down is a slope (guessing maybe a fortyfive degree angle) to a level area of about 7' wide that then slopes little more to a flat area. house is on the flat are and the slope is back of the house and it has a french drain all the way around it.
we live in Fortuna California and the weather is mild. summers don't get much warmer the 80 degrees and in the winter we have lots of rain.
it is wet here but in the five yrs we have been here the level parking side of the house has never been wet this time of year unless it has rained. where the slope from the road ends and flats alittle there was a puddle of wet that has increased in size. there is a diffient puddle of water and the land around it is soppy. water is draining down to the flat area that is now always wet and soppy and the water works its way down to the drive which inclines to the road below. my husband called the city and they say it is not from the road drains above. the water was tested by the city and they said it doesn't have readings that would make it be from a sewer leak or clean water drain leak. there are no pipes from our home in that area. the city said it is a spring that has always been. not so the grass in this area dries up every summer cause we don't water it. this "spring" is new to our property. this "spring" needs to be dealt with and we are not sure where to begin. any suggestions.
Answer Add french drains and or area drains to collect the water and pipe it around or out of the areas you don't want it. "Day Light" the drains near the road or into a storm sewer.
Google "french drains" to learn how to build them and go to this site for materials you'll need. Many home and landscape stores carry these products or can order them for you. http://www.ndspro.com/cms/
