Southern Home – September-October 2019

29 SOUTHERN HOME | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019

many of the home’s original
elements, while upgrading the
wiring and plumbing and adding
modern conveniences. “It wasn’t
the easiest elevation job,” says
Cambre. “We just didn’t have it
in our hearts to destroy what we
feel like is part of the history of
the Northshore. We couldn’t see
tearing it down and putting up a
new house on the property.”

After three long years of

rebuilding the home with the

help of a talented team—including

master woodworker John

Herasymiuk—the couple sought

the expertise of New Orleans

interior designer Chad Graci to

help them update the home and

its furnishings. “I immediately

wanted this project,” says Graci.

“Not only is it on our beautiful

and historic Lake Pontchartrain,

but when you’re in the house,

you see nothing but lake and oak

trees—it’s pretty magnificent.

When I looked at the house’s

plans, I knew exactly what it

needed to look and feel like.”

Graci decided that the home

needed a full refresh and wanted

it to have a more seamless

indoor/outdoor connection. He

took his color inspiration from

the blues, greens, and ivories

of the house’s natural surround-

ings and played with using them

in different ways throughout the

rooms. “We wanted the visual

cues from outside to lead you on

a journey from the entryway of

the home all the way back to the

master bedroom,” he says.

The designer worked closely