Modern Design Aquascaping vs. Perennial Ponds
Who's the Best Fit for My Water Feature Project?
TL;DR — At a Glance
- Perennial Ponds is a small, experienced builder focused on mid-size residential features.
- Modern Design specializes in high-end, artistic water features built one at a time.
- Perennial may be more budget-friendly; Modern Design offers more creative impact.
Are you thinking about adding a custom pond, waterfall, or fountain to your property in East Tennessee? Have you been looking at Modern Design Aquascaping as a potential option… and Perennial Ponds as another? Not sure which one of us is the right fit for your project?
Let's clear that up.
As the owner of Modern Design Aquascaping, I can tell you—we don't take on every job that comes our way. Sometimes we're the right team. Sometimes we're not. Sometimes a smaller, more localized company is the better choice. This article isn't here to sell you—we're here to help you decide who's the best fit for you.
Below, you'll get an unbiased breakdown of both companies. I'll share what we each do, who we're a good fit for, and even when we might not be the right choice. If you're still early in the process, check out our video guide: How to Choose the Right Water Feature Contractor—it could save you time, money, and regret.
By the time you're done reading, you'll know exactly who brings what to the table—and how to make the call that's right for your home, your vision, and your peace of mind.
Perennial Ponds
Perennial Ponds is a family-run landscaping and water feature company based in Rockford, TN. They've been in business for about 13 years and serve Maryville, Knoxville, and surrounding East Tennessee areas. While they don't have a standalone website or video presence, they do operate a public Facebook page and maintain a steady presence in the local landscaping space.
Their services include koi ponds, waterfalls, hardscaping, and general landscaping. They're not exclusively a pond builder—they're more of a blend between a landscaper and an aquascaper, and their clients tend to hire them for projects that involve a little bit of both.
They don't advertise any formal industry certifications (such as Aquascape Contractor status), and we didn't find any listings for design awards or national features. That said, their Google reviews are excellent—especially from the few clients who specifically mention water features. Most describe the team as courteous, consistent, and professional.
📞 Phone: (865) 606‑3499
📍 Address: 3708 Williams Mill Rd, Rockford, TN 37853
🏗️ Years in Business: ~13 years
🌐 Website: None found
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/PerennialPonds
📺 YouTube: None
💧 Water Feature Specialist? No — water features are one part of their landscaping service mix
📜 Certifications & Awards: None listed
⭐ Google Rating (Water Feature-Specific): 5.0 ★★★★★ (Based on 3 reviews)
Best Review to Feature:
Reviewer: Elaine Russell
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We are absolutely thrilled with our new pond! Adam and his team were professional, efficient, and truly cared about getting every detail right. The waterfall sounds amazing and the fish are loving their new home. Highly recommend Perennial Ponds for anyone thinking about adding a water feature."
— Kelly M.
Modern Design Aquascaping Inc.
Modern Design Aquascaping is a nationally recognized, family-owned company based in Friendsville, TN. We've been building ponds, fountains, waterfalls, and custom natural swimming ponds since 1994 — and focused solely on water features since 2000.
We build one project at a time, with a tight crew, treating each build like a work of art.
📞 Phone: (865) 995‑1234
📍 Address: 761 Disco Loop Road, Friendsville, TN 37737
🌐 Website: www.mdaquascaping.com
📘 Facebook: Modern Design Aquascaping
📺 YouTube: @KoiAddiction
💧 Water Feature Specialist? Yes — 100% water features, nothing else
🏗️ Years in Business: Since 1994 (water features since 2000)
⭐ Google Rating: 5.0 ★★★★★ (35+ water feature reviews)
📜 Certifications & Awards:
- Master Certified Aquascape Contractor
- Artist of the Year (Aquascape, 2013)
- Water Feature Artisans of the Year
- Best Waterfall (Pond Trade Magazine)
- Rainwater Harvesting Certified
Best Review to Feature:
Reviewer: Benjie Cox
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"I told my wife I wanted to build a mountain stream in our yard… and that's exactly what Modern Design Aquascaping delivered. The artistry, attention to detail, and flow of the water is everything I imagined—and more. I find myself just sitting outside, listening and watching in complete peace. The team was respectful, timely, and deeply skilled. It's changed the feel of our entire property. This isn't just landscaping—it's living art."
How Do These Two Companies Really Compare?
Now that you know who both companies are—and what their actual clients say—let's talk fit.
Every contractor has a sweet spot. Every homeowner has a different goal. There's no shame in saying one team is better suited for certain projects than another. So let's break it down.
💧 Modern Design Aquascaping Inc.
Strengths
- National-Level Design Expertise in East Tennessee: Modern Design Aquascaping brings award-winning craftsmanship to the local market. With over 500 educational videos, a global project resume that includes the UK, South America, Africa, Australia, and multiple U.S. states, and a track record of industry awards, they offer design depth that's rare in this region. Though based in Friendsville, Tennessee, their reach—and influence—extends far beyond.
- Small-Scale Artistry or Large Statement Pieces: While many of our projects are large and elaborate, we also love creating intimate, small-scale features—so long as they're treated like art, not accessories. We don't do cheap, but we do go small—when small is done with intention, artistry, and care.
- Ecosystem-First Philosophy: Pond builds follow an ecosystem-first philosophy—balanced with plants, fish, filtration, and flow. Fountainscapes and waterfalls, while often not designed for fish, are crafted with the same care and artistry. Each project is customized to the space, the homeowner, and the emotion we want it to evoke.
- Water Changes Everything: Above all else, we believe water changes everything. The way people connect—with nature, with each other, and with themselves—can shift entirely with the right feature in the right space.
Ideal Fit
We're an ideal fit for:
- Clients who want a dramatic, highly customized water feature
- Homeowners seeking a one-of-a-kind, artistic build from an award-winning, family-owned company
- Projects involving large-scale artistic rock work, dramatic boulders, high water volume, or complex site design
- People who care about long-term ecosystem balance, beauty, and function
- Homeowners who want the water feature to be the centerpiece of the space—not an afterthought
- Those who value emotional connection just as much as visual impact
🧭 Related Resource: Are We a Good Fit for Your Project?
If you're wondering whether Modern Design is the right team for your vision, this guide breaks it down simply and honestly.
🧩 Quick Fit Comparison: Who's Right for Your Project?
| Project or Preference | Modern Design Aquascaping | Perennial Ponds |
|---|---|---|
| You want a large-scale water feature with bold rock work and artistic shaping | ✅ | ❌ |
| You want one company to handle both landscaping and the water feature | ❌ | ✅ |
| You want to work directly with the owner or lead designer throughout the process | ✅ | ✅ |
| You want a company that provides deep education before, during, and after the build | ✅ | ❌ |
| You're planning a complex build that includes biological filtration and wetland zones | ✅ | ❓ |
| Cost is one of your most important deciding factors | ❌ | ✅ |
| You're hiring based on awards, reputation, and a deep portfolio of past projects | ✅ | ❌ |
Less than ideal fit
We're probably not the best fit for:
- Homeowners who are extremely concerned about cost. We're never the lowest bidder—and that's by design.
- DIYers looking for parts and casual guidance. We offer paid design and consultation for any size project, but if you're just hoping for a parts list and a quick tip, you'll find that kind of help on our YouTube channel—not through our team.
- Clients who treat the water feature as a background element. We absolutely install features within existing landscapes—but only when the water is meant to be the centerpiece. If the landscaping is the main show and the water is just filler, we're probably not the right team.
- You're hoping to find a basic pond install for under $10,000
Let's make art with water. If you're dreaming big, we're already halfway there.
🌿 Perennial Ponds
Strengths
- Local, Owner-Led Service: As a small business rooted in East Tennessee, clients often work directly with the owner or a small, tight-knit team throughout the process. This leads to consistent communication and follow-through.
- Blended Landscaping + Water Features: Unlike companies that only specialize in ponds or waterfalls, Perennial Ponds takes on jobs where the water feature is just one part of a full landscape package. If you're looking for a project that includes stonework, plantings, beds, and a pond or stream woven into the design, this team may be a great match.
- Simple, Low-Maintenance Installs: The water features shown in photos and reviews lean toward naturalistic but modest-sized elements—streams, koi ponds, and rock waterfalls that complement the home and yard without overwhelming it.
- Reputation for Showing Up and Doing the Job Right: Their strongest reviews emphasize professionalism, timeliness, and honesty. In an industry where follow-through often separates good from great, their consistency stands out.
Ideal Fit
- Homeowners wanting a water feature as part of a larger landscaping plan, where the pond or waterfall supports the overall flow of the yard rather than serving as the focal point.
- Clients who value working with a dependable, no-frills team that does what they say, shows up when they say, and leaves a clean, completed jobsite.
- Projects that don't require deep ecosystem education, formal designs, or multiple planning phases—just a good contractor with clear communication and proven results.
Not Ideal For
- Clients seeking large-scale artistic builds that are designed to stop people in their tracks. While Perennial Ponds may be capable of more complex work, there's currently no public portfolio or social proof showing this level of specialization.
- Homeowners looking for high-end creative direction, detailed ecosystem planning, or advanced filtration systems with long-term biological balance as a core focus.
- Clients who want a contractor with a deep educational platform, extensive online transparency, or a library of previous projects to explore. If you're looking to binge videos, read articles, and fully understand what's going into your build before a shovel hits the dirt—this may not be the best fit.
So… Which Builder Is Right for You?
If your dream is a bold, naturalistic stream that flows through your backyard like it's been there for centuries… if you want a koi pond with lily pads, wetland filters, and giant mossy boulders… or if you're ready for a waterfall that feels like art—then Modern Design might be your match.
If your goal is to have a clean, classic fountain or small pond installed while you're also updating your patio, plantings, or hardscaping—and you want to work with a friendly local crew—Perennial Ponds might be exactly what you need.
No shade. No ego. Just the facts.
We're different companies built for different kinds of clients. And that's a good thing.
🎥 Need help choosing the right contractor?
Watch this video: Choosing The Right Contractor For Your Water Feature
Whether we're the builder you hire or not, we want to help you make the right call. Because when you build the right water feature with the right team, you're not just upgrading your yard—you're changing the way you connect with your home, your family, and nature itself.
