We hope this finds you enjoying a beautiful summer. Our team is doing its best to stay cool here in Houston, savoring time with family and friends whenever we can while managing full days of design and creativity in the studio.
Through it all, this has been a season of growth and discovery, from Sarah’s trip to Turkey with ICAA to award season celebrations, new work coming to life, and treasured projects settling into their final chapter.
We were also honored to see our 30 Acts of Giving initiative featured as the cover story in the latest Stroll Tanglewood, a true full-circle moment as we celebrated 30 years of Lucas/Eilers Design.
We are always so pleased to share these highlights with you, and we hope you enjoy this look at what has been keeping us inspired.
Step Inside Our Homes with Homeworthy
We recently opened our doors to the Homeworthy team for two very special home tours. We enjoyed sharing how our homes have evolved over the years, along with the heirlooms, art, and meaningful pieces that bring us comfort and joy every day.
If you haven’t had the chance to join us, pour a cup of coffee and press play:
A sincere thank you to the Homeworthy team for capturing our stories so beautifully and sharing them with such warmth and care.
A Journey Through Turkey
Sarah taking in the incredible views of Cappadocia.
This spring, Sarah joined the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) on an excursion through Turkey. The trip moved between centuries-old palaces and ancient cities, offering a firsthand look at architecture and design spanning empires and eras.
Along the way, she kept returning to the same things: craftsmanship you could see in every joint and curve, and the sense that each structure told its own story through the hands that built it.
From watching the sunrise over Cappadocia to wandering the streets of Istanbul, it was a journey filled with beauty, newfound knowledge, and endless inspiration.
Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul
During her time in Istanbul, Sarah stayed at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, a beautifully restored 19th-century Ottoman palace overlooking the Bosphorus. Everywhere you turn, there is something worth stopping for, from painted ceilings and incredible crystal chandeliers to fresh flowers arranged throughout the hotel.
How exquisite is this mirror with endless views?
Basilica Cistern
Sarah’s next stop in Istanbul was the Basilica Cistern, an incredible underground reservoir built during the reign of Emperor Justinian I in the sixth century. Walking through the forest of marble columns beneath soaring brick vaults felt surreal, especially knowing many of the columns had been repurposed from even earlier Roman buildings.
One of the Basilica Cistern’s famous Medusa heads, repurposed as a column base centuries ago. No one knows exactly why it was placed here, which only adds to the mystery.
Sacred Spaces of Istanbul
Built in the early 1600s, The Blue Mosque is renowned for its soaring domes, intricate hand-painted Iznik tiles, and magnificent stained-glass windows that fill the space with beautiful light. The scale is breathtaking, but it was the remarkable craftsmanship and attention to detail that made the grandest impression.
We loved our visit to the Rüstem Pasha Mosque, a lovely jewel box of a space known for its extraordinary Iznik tiles. The layers of blue, turquoise, and white patterning were remarkable up close, and every wall seemed to reveal another delicate floral or geometric detail.
No journey to Istanbul would be complete without seeing the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque. Originally built as a cathedral in the sixth century before becoming a mosque, its history is reflected in every corner. Seeing centuries-old Byzantine mosaics alongside soaring domes and intricate Islamic calligraphy made it one of the most memorable places we visited.
Topkapı Palace
Topkapı Palace was truly magnificent. Once home to generations of Ottoman sultans, the palace is filled with beautifully preserved courtyards, richly decorated interiors, and some of the most exquisite tile work we saw throughout our travels.
One of the palace’s beautifully appointed reception rooms.
Even the courtyards revealed rare moments of unexpected beauty.
Dolmabahçe Palace
Our visit to Dolmabahçe Palace felt like stepping into another era. Every room was more breathtaking than the last, with soaring crystal chandeliers, hand-painted ceilings, intricate moldings, and sweeping views of the Bosphorus.
A staircase worthy of a grand entrance.
Turkish Treasures
Wandering through a local spice market was one of the highlights of our time in Turkey. Between the fragrant teas, colorful spices, dried flowers, and shelves lined with Turkish delights, every corner was a feast for the senses. Needless to say, it was nearly impossible to leave without bringing a little something home!
During our trip to Çanakkale, we stopped to see the famous wooden horse used in the 2004 film Troy. Standing along the waterfront overlooking the Dardanelles, it’s a fun nod to one of history’s most legendary tales and the perfect stop before heading to the ancient city of Troy itself!
Ancient Wonders of Ephesus
Walking through Ephesus felt like we had stepped into another world. It’s incredible to think that these marble streets, grand columns, and beautifully preserved buildings have stood for thousands of years. Everywhere we turned, there was another reminder of just how rich Turkey’s history truly is.
A group photo with my crew of fellow ICAA travelers. The Library of Celsus is one of Ephesus’ most recognizable landmarks and even more impressive in person.
A beautiful spring afternoon exploring Ephesus.
A Countryside Retreat at Manici Çiftlik
Leaving the bustle of the cities behind, we spent time at Manici Çiftlik, a peaceful countryside retreat tucked into the hills near Çanakkale. Watching the sun set over the rolling landscape from our room was the perfect way to slow down and take in a quieter side of Turkey.
A Few Days in Alaçatı
After several days of sightseeing, Alaçatı was such a welcome change of pace. We stayed at Alavya Hotel, a charming boutique hotel that perfectly captured the relaxed spirit of the town. From the thoughtful design to the warm hospitality, every detail made it feel like a true retreat.
Cappadocia: A Stay to Remember
Argos was even more special than we expected. Built into Cappadocia’s historic stone caves, the hotel feels completely woven into the landscape. Every corner was warm, inviting, and beautifully designed, making it a respite we never wanted to leave!
One of the most beautiful dining spaces at Argos, carved into the historic stone and glowing by candlelight.
Cappadocia at Sunrise
No travel guide can fully prepare you for sunrise in Cappadocia. Watching hundreds of colorful hot air balloons drift over the valleys is a sight you simply have to experience for yourself.
One of the highlights of the trip was sharing the experience with my new friend, Diane Flynn. It was a morning neither of us will ever forget!
In the Spotlight
The PaperCity Design Awards
Our firm was honored to take home several PaperCity Design Awards last month. The winning entries will be featured in PaperCity‘s October issue, and it is always such a treat to raise a toast with our talented design community.
We are grateful to the judges, and to our wonderful clients, collaborators, and partners whose shared vision and talent make every project possible.
Celebrating at the PaperCity Design Awards. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees!
Best Residential Interior Design Over 3,500 Square Feet
Design: Sandra Lucas and Olivia Mijares | Construction: Goodchild Builders
Residential Interior Design Under 3,500 Square Feet – Honorable Mention
Design: Sandra Lucas and Victoria Miller | Construction: Taylor-Made Builders
Bedroom – Honorable Mention
Design: Ellen Eilers, Samantha Brueggeman, and Allie Manning
Architecture: Mark W. Todd Architects | Construction: Morris Builders
Best Bedroom
Design: Sandra Lucas and Victoria Miller
Architecture: Dillon Kyle Architects | Construction: Thompson Custom Homes
Dining Room – Honorable Mention
Design: Sandra Lucas and Victoria Miller
Architecture: Dillon Kyle Architects | Construction: Thompson Custom Homes
The Luxe RED Awards
We are also delighted to share that Sandy and her team received a regional Luxe RED Award for a reimagined sitting room in a 1940s River Oaks estate. Anchored by a hand-painted de Gournay mural inspired by the home’s storybook architecture, the space captures the whimsy and history that make this home so special.
Thank you to the Luxe Interiors + Design team and the RED Awards judges for this recognition, and to Victoria Miller for representing our firm so beautifully in Chicago as she accepted the award on our behalf.
Thank you for taking the time to follow along. Whether you’ve been with us for years or are just getting to know us, we are grateful to have you here!
It is always a joy to share the places sparking inspiration, the homes our teams are honored to create, and the people who make this work so meaningful. We hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into what we’ve been up to this season, and we look forward to sharing more with you soon.
“There is always sunshine, only we must do our part. We most move into it.”
— Charles Bowden
