A custom terrace off Faris Road brings away football games home
When football season kicks off each fall, Saturdays in the South mean one thing for college football fans: game day. Nights before a game are like Christmas Eve for football fans, as they make their grocery lists and check them twice, prepping to tailgate, head to a friend’s place, or host at home for the big day. Some super fans have even designed entertaining spaces designed with game days in mind. On game days at the home of John and Julie Arrowood, the custom porch is full of friends and family cheering for the Clemson Tigers. Both homeowners are Clemson alumni, and they now have two kids attending the university.
The Arrowoods bought their charming 1928 English Tudor-style house in 2009, adding the terrace in 2017. They wanted to match the terrace to the original house and maintain architectural details such as a unique cutout design in the matching brick and mortar. From the porch down the steps to the raised Tudor-style garden, cone flowers, peonies, and daylilies bloom from raised brick walls. Around the corner is a vegetable garden, where three chickens frolic and, according to Julie, love college football games as much as their humans.
Between the patio’s comfortable seating and sizable table and bar, there’s ample space to gather around, watch the game, and graze snacks. For home games, they’re gathered with friends at a tailgate spot before heading into Memorial Stadium to cheer on the Tigers.
Graham Kimak Landscape Designs created the conceptual design for the covered terrace and landscape master plan. Ed Ziegler made the covered terrace architectural plan, and ALA Construction and Restoration brought the vision to life as the contractor and builder.
A close friend has claimed one of the Arrowwood’s bar stools for most of Clemson’s away games. It’s a perfect vantage point, plus offers the perk of quick and easy access to snacks.
