Living the Aquascape Lifestyle on James Island

At Cardinal Pond Design & Landscapes, we don’t just build water features for our clients … we live the lifestyle ourselves! In this James Island home, owner and designer Darby Vedder created a backyard oasis for his family that reflects everything we stand for in Charleston and across the Lowcountry.

Project Highlights

• Front yard surprise – a fountain feature installed as a birthday gift, adding daily sound and movement to the home office.

• Personal ecosystem pond – designed and solo built 100% by hand, featuring eight koi with a large, custom fish cave for shade and protection.

• Pondless waterfall – a 16-foot stream running as a separate system, powered by an AquaSurge 5000 pump and designed for both sound and cooling effect.

• Functional design – skimmer jets, aeration, and lilies keep the water healthy while creating a living ecosystem.

• Walkway + bird’s eye view – custom stonework and stairs allow for multiple perspectives of the pond, from morning coffee to evening relaxation.

• Handcrafted start to finish – every rock, plant, and boulder was placed personally by Darby, making this project a true labor of love.

• Artistic inspiration – designed with both inside and outside views in mind, so the pond looks just as stunning from the home’s windows as it does from the patio.

This James Island property shows how a water feature can become more than just a design element — it’s a way of life.

👉 Watch the full video below to see how Darby and his family live the Aquascape lifestyle at home.