Sean J Murphy, LA - Landscaping & Design - Exterior Decorating - Home/Garden

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Expert Profile: Sean 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 in the area
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,

	View Past Answers	View Detailed Ratings

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field? I hope to build a successful department of 10 people. I would like to venture more into the realm of landscape reclamation in returning landscapes to natural states

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know: Form follows function!
KISS ...Keep It Simple Stupid!
Work smarter not harder!
Most importantly anything worth doing is worth doing right.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject Plastic edging and weed mats really don't work. Don't buy rubber mulch or plastic pine straw. This stuff is terrible for the environment and is no different than burying tires in your yard. All these little pieces of plastic end up years from now spread out in the environment. Just imagine plastic pinestraw being used by birds for nests!

What do you like about this subject? I have been enamored with design, landscape and architecture since I was a child. I love being able to see my ideas become reality.

Average Ratings
Prestige Points: 3330
Knowledge	9.87 Best of the best
Clarity of Response	9.85 Best of the best
Timeliness	9.98 Best of the best
Politeness	9.97 Best of the best
Number Of Questions (in Past 24 Hours)		1
Max Questions to be Asked (in 24 Hour period)		1
Total Questions (since joining AllExperts)		410

Recent Reviews from Users

Knowl	Clarity	Time	Politeness	Date
10	10	10	10	08/30/08
10	10	10	10	08/28/08
10	10	10	10	08/26/08
7	7	9	9	08/08/08
10	10	10	10	08/07/08

User Comments

Thank you for your quick response. I hadn't really considered ground covers. I especially appreciate the specific suggestions of types of ground cove
(Jan on 08/30/08)

Thank you very much!!!
(Doug on 08/26/08)

Thank you. The patio is being installed on top of a concrete pad, so the irrigation comment was especially helpful. I will check on that.
(Luke on 08/07/08)

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	View Past Answers	View Detailed Ratings

Recent Answers from Sean J Murphy, LA

2008-08-29 How to landscape shaded sides of house: Jan, If it makes you feel better, this is a common problem. Grass does not like too much shade or growing in thin spaces. I suggest you consider planting a slow spreading ground cover such as liriope (monkey...

2008-08-28 columnar oak: Bob, Its a COLUMNAR OAK. That should tell you something. Its not a bush. Please don't try to train a tree that is supposed to be 60 plus feet tall to be a 20foot meat ball. If you want a small tree please...

2008-08-26 Landscaping right after building a house: It all depends on how well the soil has been compacted. If its just hand tamped then yes it might settle, if a skid steer loader (bobcat, backhoe, etc) drove over it repeatedly or it was compacted with...

2008-08-25 drain fabric: Chances are the cheap stuff is weed barrier and not designed for covering your pipe. However they sell a "sock" fabric that is designed just for pipe. see this site. http://www.flex-drain.com/pdf/SockInstructions...

2008-08-13 Limestone retaining wall on a sand pit: Yes generally you still should use a crushed aggregate footing probably 10-12" thick/deep and extending 10-12" beyond each face of the wall. If you live in an area subject to significant freezing and heaving...