It’s a rare gift to find art that makes the weathered fresh, yet maintains time's characteristic stamp. The namesake of Sarah Drake pulls off her particular brand of elemental design in a way that's relevant and entirely natural. Drake’s approach to wedding invitation design skews her creations to a simple, layered elegance. This studied posture and dedication to rich materials has roots in an upbringing spent paying homage to time - tested style. "I spent my childhood deeply immersed in the homes my parents renovated - polishing fixtures, discovering treasures in a dusty attic, exploring the outdoor rooms enrobed in a tangle of vines...falling in love with the past," Drake reminisces.

The motivation behind founding Sarah Drake is as simple and true as her aesthetic. The minimal artistic leanings of her parents, and the rich Santa Barbara landscape of her childhood plays into her choice of nature as her muse. Now at home in Chicago, urban beauty does not escape Sarah’s eye, be it the imprint of fallen leaves on a sidewalk or a brick wall’s patina. Inspiration is drawn from many sources - Hubbard Street is inspired after the Chicago dance company's Spring Dance premiere, in which dozens of white feathers fell from the rafters. Flora Vista nods to both Diego Rivera’s paintings, and carved pine chairs Drake found at a garage sale in California.

Drake has a deep appreciation for the unique details of her client's love stories. Her products contribute to her their story, reinforcing the autonomy is her art. Sarah Drake produces timeless work that marks new beginnings, pulling from the client’s memories, as well as Drake’s childhood experiences. It's Sarah’s eye for elegance, paired with an ability to channel natural beauty that speaks to her wit as designer. "Dewey grass, the smell of eucalyptus in the air, sand...those things create a very real feeling," says Drake. "Everything I produce should be that true."

With her appreciation for variety and texture, it's no wonder that Sarah Drake is now offering new mediums for the home. The Monogram Collection includes ceramics, table linens and couture bedding, personalized with custom art created by Drake. These items are available for purchase or registry and reinforce the main focus of the company, which is to create art that truly represents her client’s souls, while staying true to her own art.