Beth’s collection of Steuben glass is a cherished reminder of her late grandfather, Art Wexell, who worked as a glassblower for Corning Glass Works.
The stately Greek Revival-style house at the edge of the Clemson University campus, with its covered portico and grand white columns, is unquestionably the residence of Tiger fans. The orange door is a dead giveaway. That distinctive touch was added by the current residents of the university President’s Home, Jim and Beth Clements, when they moved into the newly renovated home in mid-2014. They’d spent their first semester as First Couple living in the Clemson House penthouse—along with about 450 students (including daughter Hannah Clements) who lived in the residence hall floors below. The temporary quarters were needed because the 57-year-old home, which had been occupied by presidents dating back to R.C. Edwards, was undergoing its first major renovation in decades. Improvements previously planned to make the home accessible to visitors with physical disabilities uncovered termite damage and structural issues. But the finished product was worth the wait, not only for the Clements to move into, but also for the hundreds of guests and visitors that the home hosts each year. Along with a ramp that provides front-door access to wheelchairs and a downstairs bathroom that meets standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the home got a fresh new color scheme, a total kitchen makeover and a number of special “wow” touches— thanks to a team of talented architects, interior designers, contractors and staff overseen by project manager Mike Parker of the University Facilities staff. The result is a look that seamlessly blends Clemson and Clements styles, because—after all— in addition to being the site of frequent official events, it’s also home to the presidential couple, a growing teenager, and a dog named Skittles.
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Daughter Grace is the heart of the Clements family.
The Greek Revival-style President’s Home at Clemson University is 5,000 square feet and was designed by Charles Fant and Sons Architects of Anderson.
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