When Hurricane Ida tore through Louisiana in 2021, David and Carolyn Briggs faced a decision that would change everything. Their Madisonville home on the Tchefuncte River — already their sanctuary for 18 years — had sustained significant damage. The front doors were blown open, part of the roof came off and second-floor ceiling sheetrock collapsed, allowing rain to pour inside.
Instead of simply repairing what was lost, the couple, both in their 70s, saw an opportunity. “My wife Carolyn and I discussed the situation and decided to commit to this being our final home,” David says. “We said to ourselves, ‘Let’s have some fun and renovate the home from top to bottom.’”
What emerged from that decision is a masterclass in fearless design — a home that celebrates bold color, dramatic pattern and the kind of confident aesthetic choices that only come from knowing oneself inside and out. “My wife and I really connect well on these types of projects,” David adds.
The Briggs family’s connection to waterfront living runs deep. Hurricane Katrina had destroyed their home on the Mandeville lakefront years earlier, making their move to the Madisonville property all the more meaningful. “We were fortunate to locate our current home on the river in Madisonville and were immediately excited to get back to waterfront living,” David says.
That first impression never faded and is still an important facet of its overall impression. “The home is raised 12 feet, and, when we first walked into the entrance foyer on the second floor, we were blown away by the immediate exposure to the river,” Carolyn says. “It was like the river was a part of the property.”
To bring their vision to life, the couple turned to Design Studio in Covington, partnering with designers Elizabeth Walther and Jolie Bruhl. “We had seen their work elsewhere and knew right away they could capture what we were hoping for,” Carolyn says. “They made it possible for us to use much of the art and items that we have owned and enjoyed for many years, blended in with new finishes and design concepts.”
The designers were equally captivated by their clients. “They complement each other, beautifully finishing each other’s sentences and anticipating each other’s needs,” Walther says. “Carolyn is a ray of light, embodying grace, Southern hospitality and warmth, with boldness and infectious laughter. David is practical, design-savvy and deeply devoted. Working with them was a joy.”
The design team’s approach proved perfectly aligned with the couple’s adventurous spirit, leading to what became a courageous collaboration. “Every great design begins with listening, and listening takes courage,” Bruhl says. “Courage to ask the right questions, to share honest feedback and to explore bold ideas together. Collaboration is where creativity expands, trust deepens and extraordinary outcomes emerge.”
The design reflects this courage immediately upon entering the front door. The dramatic checkerboard stone flooring in the two-story foyer sets an immediate tone of grandeur. “It’s just awesome,” David says. “It’s exactly the tone we wanted to set right as you enter.”
Indeed, Bruhl finds that the foyer is a perfect place to go bold because it sets the tone for the rest of the home. “The bold flooring, chandelier and custom stair runner all complement the scale of the two-story space and create a sense of drama and anticipation as you enter,” she says.
Meanwhile, the kitchen showcases deep teal cabinets paired with a custom black and brass range hood—a choice that might intimidate less confident homeowners. “The teal kitchen was consistent with our overall attitude of going bolder and keeping that attitude level throughout the living areas,” David says.
In order to balance such saturated colors, while still ensuring longevity in the design, Bruhl says it is paramount to listen to a client’s goals. “When a design aligns with a client’s story, it doesn’t go out of style,” she says. “Choices are not made based on trends—they are rooted in the client’s lifestyle, ensuring the home remains timeless.”
Perhaps nowhere is the home’s personality more evident than in the billiard room, transformed from what was once the formal dining room. Enveloped in rich red lacquer from walls to ceiling, it’s an immersive experience. “We wanted to create a really dark and interesting atmosphere,” Walther says. “These clients were fearless with color, so bold choices were expected and celebrated.”
The bar area, with its stunning book-matched stone counter, exceeded even the homeowners’ expectations. “The bar area turned out better than we hoped for,” David says. “It has unique stonework and just what we wanted for entertainment and family fun.”
The stone selection process was not only collaborative, but also exciting for David (who accompanied the designers to choose the slabs). “He couldn’t get over how much the pattern on the book-matched slabs resembled a Texas Longhorn,” Walther says. “We were transfixed by the beauty, and he was instantly taken by the playful pattern — and couldn’t wait to show to his Texas Longhorn alum friends.”
The jewel-box powder room, wrapped in vibrant turquoise chinoiserie wallpaper, offers another moment of delight. “Beth and Jolie get credit for this great concept and feeling,” Carolyn says. “It’s just right for a small bathroom that is used often, due to its location in the foyer.”
The primary bathroom features perhaps the home’s most show-stopping element: a gold-clad bathtub. “The gold clad tub in the master bathroom was 100 percent my wife Carolyn’s idea, and she located it all by herself,” David says. “My reaction was, ‘Totally my wife’s personality,’ and I was so happy she went for a selection she would enjoy so much.”
Throughout the home, the couple’s art collection also has found new life. Works by local and regional artists — such as Harouni, James Michalopoulos and Frantic — punctuate the spaces. “We have collected Harouni’s work for over 25 years and have had the opportunity to visit with him in the French Quarter over the years,” Carolyn says.
Overall, Walther says that the design is rooted in love of family, love of life and love of nature. And for David and Carolyn, the result is exactly what they envisioned. “This home project allowed my wife and I to visualize together, with professional guidance, to create a living atmosphere that embodies our combined spirits,” David says.
