A Summer Worth Savoring
With the golden days of summer behind us, we find ourselves pausing to take in all that these past months have held. Summer always brings an invitation to wander and gather fresh inspiration, and this year was no exception. From travels abroad to ushering projects toward the finish line and photographing newly completed work, our team has been collecting beauty at every turn.
Houston may not have received the memo that cooler days are on the horizon, but our sights are set on autumn with a renewed energy and a few exciting things to share. Pour yourself something warm and settle in for a look at what has been bringing joy to our days.
La Dolce Vita: Sandy’s Postcards From Italy
Sandy’s journey through Italy wound from the sun-warmed harbors of the Ligurian coast to the storied villas of Lake Como, with each stop offering its own bit of magic. She returned with a camera full of inspiration, and fell in love with Fendi’s Spring/Summer collection inspired by traditional Venetian Murano glass and murrine art. Scroll on for a closer look.
The adventure began in Porto Venere, the jewel-toned harbor town on the Ligurian coast. Our group settled in at Villa Doria, an early-1800s villa overlooking the sea and surrounded by acres of gardens and orchards.
There’s nothing quite like greeting the day with this light each morning!
Porto Venere’s painted houses, stacked shoulder to shoulder above the harbor.
A glimpse of the Ligurian coast, framed by olive trees and blue water.
A leisurely morning at Villa Doria taking in the magnificent seaside views.
Porto Venere after dark is every bit as lovely as it is throughout the day.
A short boat ride away were the famously colorful towns of the Cinque Terre. I loved exploring Riomaggiore, Vernazza, and Monterosso, villages that tumble toward the sea in a patchwork of sun-faded pastels. Arriving by water is truly the best way to appreciate just how dramatically these villages cling to the cliffs.
The pastel houses of the Cinque Terre spilling down to the water.
Lake Como was next on the itinerary, but the drive north from the Cinque Terre runs right through Milan, and we couldn’t resist a stop. We wandered under the glass dome of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, visiting the original Prada boutique before ducking into the Rizzoli bookstore, which is always one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon.
Between the vaulted ceilings, black-and-white checkered marble floors, rich dark wood and a pop of green velvet, the original Prada boutique is a masterclass in contrast.
Venetian glass, reimagined as handbags. Fendi’s latest collections were a highlight of our afternoon in Milan.
Shopping bags in tow, we continued north to Lake Como, where the Grand Hotel Tremezzo welcomed us with views in every direction and plenty to explore.
Breakfast with a view of Lake Como from the Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
A short ferry ride across the lake brought us to Bellagio, where we wandered the Piazza della Chiesa and the town’s narrow, winding streets.
The magnificent Villa Carlotta was just a few minutes’ walk from our hotel. Built at the end of the 1600s and transformed into a live-in museum in the early 1800s, it is filled with Neoclassical art and sculpture, including works by Antonio Canova, and set among terraced gardens that are a masterpiece in their own right.
Movie buffs may recognize Villa del Balbianello. Originally built as a retreat for a Cardinal, the villa sits on its own wooded promontory and has since starred in both Star Wars: Episode II and the James Bond film Casino Royale.
The loggia at Villa del Balbianello, overlooking Lake Como.
And then there was the most delightfully unexpected stop of all: a tour of La Velarca, a mid-century houseboat built purely for entertaining. As the story goes, the family’s sliver of land on the lake was simply too narrow to build a home, so they built a floating one instead. Proof, as ever, that good design always finds a way.
A look aboard La Velarca, where every seat has a view of the lake.
A Little Magic in Maine
Sandy also made a trip to Maine to visit clients in the home her team recently helped them renovate. Each morning began with a walk through the garden to see what was blooming, and before long, she had a basket full of flowers to fill every room.
There is such a special story behind this historic home, and we are eagerly awaiting its moment in print. More to come soon, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peek:
While in the area, we enjoyed a lovely dinner at the newly renovated Norumbega Inn in Camden. From the warm woodwork to unexpected moments of delight, there was so much to admire before we even sat down!
An overnight sail to North Haven came with ideal weather and spectacular views of Penobscot Bay the entire way. On the island, we stopped by the newly renovated library and strolled through a few art galleries.
The gardens around Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel in Rockport, Maine are such a peaceful place to visit.
A Few Days Down East
A weekend in Bar Harbor gave us time to explore Acadia National Park with memorable meals in town at Project Social and Table Salt. Of course, I couldn’t resist peeking inside Hidden Barn Books, and I’m so glad I did! If you find yourself in Northeast Harbor, The Asticou Hotel is worth a visit, too.
Celebrating the 2026 ASID Ruby Awards
We were honored to receive two ASID Ruby Awards this season, recognizing projects that hold a special place in our hearts. The evening was a dazzling celebration of Houston’s design community at its best, and it was a joy to cheer on so many talented friends and colleagues.
Best Bedroom Design
Sandra Lucas and Victoria Miller
Best Renovation Under 3,500 Square Feet
Sandra Lucas and Victoria Miller
New Work From the Studio
The studio has been abuzz with projects in progress, and we have also been delighted to see a few homes cross the finish line. While the full reveals are still to come, we couldn’t resist offering you an early preview.
The Heart of the Ranch
Nestled in the Texas Hill Country, Sarah’s team redesigned this ranch that has served as a gathering place for generations of family since the 1950s. After decades of use, the family undertook a comprehensive restoration with a clear intention: to honor what was already there rather than reimagine it.
Between the Shelves
Designed by Sandy’s team for two avid readers who love to entertain, this Houston home revolves around a two-story library, complete with rift white oak shelves and a freestanding oval iron staircase. Brick, steel, and garden views carry the story throughout a home made for both lively gatherings and slower evenings curled up with a good book.
Have You Seen Us Lately?
Our 30 Acts of Kindness campaign was featured in Design Leadership Network’s The Quarterly. What started as a way to celebrate 30 years of Lucas/Eilers Design by giving back has grown into something truly meaningful, and we are grateful to DLN for sharing the story and to everyone who helped us turn the idea into a year we will always remember.
As the light shifts and the first crisp mornings arrive, we could not be more ready to welcome the new season. Fall always feels full of possibility, of gathering with the people we love, and of settling back into the rhythm of the studio with fresh inspiration in hand.
From all of us at Lucas/Eilers Design, thank you for being part of the journey. May the season bring moments to savor and plenty of reasons to gather with those you love.
