Meet Our Chicago Interior Design Team
Sarah Montgomery | Founder and Principal Designer
Sarah Montgomery's career has always been focused at the intersection of artistry and execution. Beginning her career in textile design and then spending years in production design for Chicago’s theater scene, Sarah understands how to harness creative inspiration and bring it forth into the world. Working for nearly a decade in luxury product development, she has traveled the globe working with makers, artisans, and manufacturers of all kinds who prioritize natural beauty and authentic craftsmanship. Her prior career honed how she thinks, designs, and creates into a signature methodology that is woven into every project she takes on. Rooted in color theory, composition, and the psychology of space, Sarah’s designs are striking and strategic. Every decision is made with both intention and intuition. Always observant, with an eye for proportion, scale, balance, and composition, Sarah’s greatest delight is the moment inspiration strikes in each new project.
A proud Chicagoan, Sarah spends her free time at design events, gallery openings, and vintage markets, drawn to the depth and character found in each of the city's neighborhoods. She gathers inspiration wherever she goes, at home in Chicago or abroad, and brings it into her work in ways that are always intentional and usually unpredictable.
Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Luxe Interiors + Design, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, and Martha Stewart Living.
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Sarah Druding
SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER
With extensive experience in a wide variety of environmental design, Sarah has experience in residential, retail, workplace, and hospitality design. With a past life in Advertising, she worked at some of the most respected ad agencies in Chicago before deciding to pursue her passion and obtain a masters degree in Interior Design from Harrington College of Design. Sarah approaches each project with a deep appreciation for historical integrity, functionality, and sustainability whenever possible. She creates spaces that are eclectic, collected, and tell the story of the people who live there.
Sarah lives in the city's Avondale neighborhood with her husband and their spirited German Shepherd-hound mix, Margot. She enjoys live music, vintage shopping, and traveling whenever she can.
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Kylee Smith
INTERIOR DESIGNER
Kylee holds a Master’s in Interior Architecture and Product Design from Kansas State University. She is passionate about creating designs that enhance the well-being of their inhabitants. Recently obtaining her NCIDQ certification, her expertise spans both residential and commercial design, including workplace, healthcare, and multi-family housing.
Kylee thrives on creative problem-solving and loves the process of turning ideas and inspiration into functional, beautiful environments. Outside of design, she enjoys drawing, painting, and spending time with her partner and two cats in her historic Logan Square apartment.
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Sydney Septoski
MARKETING AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
After growing up in the south suburbs of Chicago, Sydney graduated with a degree in Communications and Leadership from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her past experience is in digital marketing, client management, and nonprofit communications. She came into the interior design field wanting to utilize these learned skills in a creative environment, and found a home at SMI. Sydney handles all things behind the scenes that take our projects from start to finish, and has implemented many processes along the way. Sydney lives in the Lakeview neighborhood with her partner and two cats. Her favorite thing about Chicago is the many neighborhood flavors and architecture.
About Our Studio
Sarah Montgomery Interiors is a full-service interior design firm based in Chicago, specializing in residential design that feels collected, personal, and enduring. Founded by Sarah Montgomery, the studio draws on a background in luxury product design and set design, along with a deep respect for architectural history, to create homes that reflect the people who live in them. From space planning and architectural integration to custom furnishings and curated sourcing, the team brings intention to every layer of the process.
The studio occupies a former corner bodega in Logan Square — 1,300 square feet of brick, loft ceilings, natural light, and the quiet energy of a neighborhood that has a lively history and modern-day grit. Brimming with inspiration and samples of all kinds, the studio is a collaborative space where we host client meetings and occasional community events.
Your home should tell your story and we'd love to help you tell it well. If you're ready to work with a team that brings both craft and care to every project, we're here.
“I cannot say enough great things about working with Sarah and her team! As a professional family in the Gold Coast neighborhood, we needed a home that could match our lifestyle. Sarah was an expert on scheduling, managing timelines, bringing in critical vendors, and everything in between. She made our house the go-to place!”
— A.D.