Rising Stars: Meet Syd Lucas of Franklin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Syd Lucas

Syd, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been interested in the interaction of the arts. While I chose ballet as my primary extracurricular activity from age 3 to 15, I supplemented the hours in the studio with studying literature and learning music. To me, each contributed to the other, adding layers of complexity and interest. At Baylor University, my major was a classic liberal arts degree; we studied the greatest works of literature, philosophy, and theology from Ancient Greece to modern day. All of our classes were also supplemented with art (painting, sculptures, architecture, etc) and music.

Right out of college I was a ghostwriter and copywriter, but I was constantly pursuing other hobbies, from launching a fashion Substack to painting to creating my own website. When we had the opportunity to move to Nashville in March of 2023, we knew that it was my opportunity to leap. I had decided I would continue to write, but this time for fashion and lifestyle, and explore learning interior decorating and creative direction.

I’ve worked on incredible projects, from creating a boutique coworking space in a historic building to revamping a historic wedding venue’s website, marketing, and social media, to painting commissioned pieces for small shops in Franklin, to designing events and directing editorial shoots. Each project has allowed me to explore creativity in many different ways.

In summary, having loved art my whole life, I now draw, paint, and design for a living. With an enduring love of fashion and architecture, I study both natural and geometric shapes, seeking beauty in both everyday and extraordinary moments at home and abroad. My vision is to integrate various art forms to craft unique client experiences, from interior design to styling and art direction.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not, but it wouldn’t be an adventure if it was easy! I decided to go out on my own when my husband and I moved to Nashville from Austin, Texas. While moving gave me the fresh start, I started my business without any local connections, which was a struggle. Building from the ground up took a lot of patience, and ultimately, I am so grateful to the businesses and individuals who took a chance on me. While there was–and still is–some level of fake it till you make it, asking questions and continuing to be teachable make the road so much easier! A more tangible struggle is the middle of any project, where the vision is fully developed but only partly executed. It’s hard to see the end result and feel confident that all of the details, whether pieces of furniture or layers of paint in a painting, are going to come together. But, I’ve found that patience is the best cure.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
“Beautiful things are not just wanted, they’re necessary,” (Dostoevsky), so I create beautiful imagery & spaces that embody my clients’ brands. From interior design of boutique commercial spaces to helping businesses get captivating new imagery for their brand, I am in the business of storytelling.

My approach is unique, summed up in the Germany word: Gesamtkunstwerk (noun), which means a work of art that uses all or many art forms. I don’t silo creativity, instead keeping in mind all aspects of a business’s brand, images, and goals. Ultimately, that is what led me to pick the paintbrush back up and begin creating pieces again. I have had the privilege of painting for commercial spaces, wedding venues, and homes. I’ve created logos and branding for companies, illustrating the details by hand. I love hand drawing custom menus, invitations, stationary, and logos, and I love creating art.

I have loved all of the projects I have been a part of, but especially the ones where I have led the art direction. Livery Events is a historic wedding venue in Winchester, Tennessee, and getting to bring it to life with a full marketing shoot was incredible. I directed and styled a content day for 18 photographers at the Swan House in Atlanta, and I loved styling the models, the tablescapes, and creating bespoke invitations and details. Lastly, I showed my first full art collection at Onyx and Alabaster for the May Franklin Art Crawl, and I loved watching how people interacted with each piece. I have another big project I’m excited to announce so soon that is geared more toward children. It is a joy to create for other people!

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love magazines. While of course I use Pinterest for everything, I turn to magazines when I want to slow down and really take in the images I’m looking at. With social media’s pervasive presence, we can scroll so quickly and not remember what we have looked at. With a physical book, the opportunity to return to pages and ponder is key to my creative process. Of my favorites, I’m always turning to Cabana Magazine, Milk Magazine, and House and Garden UK. I also love Sézane, The Socialite Family, and Alix D. Reynis (all French companies). I’m not a podcast girl, but I always listen to Fanfare by Emma Knight and Monica Ainley. It’s incredibly creative and thought provoking. I’m also constantly reading and watching interior design and fashion videos in French, which helps challenge my mind and think about things from a different perspective (and in a different language). And if I’m ever really stuck, I always find a walk outside to be the answer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lumaison.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sydhlucas/
• Other: https://sydhlucas.com