Team

Sarita Simpson

Founder + Principal Designer

From a very young age, Sarita knew that she had an obsession with interior design and beautiful, stylish spaces. In 2014 Sarita launched her design firm – Sarita Simpson Design – and has since completed dozens of projects for both residential and commercial clients in the DC area. For more than seven years before that, Sarita was the lead designer (working with Jason Claire) at Vastu, a high-end furnishings boutique in Washington DC, where she designed residential and commercial spaces, including apartment model units and lobbies as well as custom furniture, rugs, and window treatments for her clients.

Hannah Shaffer

Junior Designer

Having worked with Sarita since 2017, Hannah joined Interior Matter at its founding and assists on all projects from concept to construction. She is a graduate of the Corcoran School of the Arts at the George Washington University, with a BFA in Interior Architecture. Hannah has a passion for people; she loves that her work allows her to collaborate directly with clients to create spaces that are a reflection of themselves. A right-brained creative with a left-brained passion for computer science, she uses her dynamic skillset to bring our designs to life through plans, elevations, and 3D renderings. In her free time Hannah enjoys building computers, visiting art museums, and reading ridiculously long sci-fi novels.

Gabriella Marroquín Calderón

Office Manager

Hailing from New York, Gabriella is a senior at The George Washington University studying Anthropology & International Affairs with a concentration in International Development. Her background in non-profit operations and accounting combined with her creativity and problem solving skills bring an additional layer in keeping things running smoothly and on track. In her role she combines her passion for helping others and innovation, with logistics and finding the beauty in the everyday. When she’s not working, Gabriella loves cooking, dancing, and exploring the DC area.

Jason Claire

Freelance Creative Director, What Matters

Born in New York City, Jason was interested in art and design from the start. He became a commissioned abstract painter in high school and then triple majored in art, art history, and pre-medicine at Duke University. Between 2003 and 2014, Jason opened and grew Vastu in Washington DC which became a leading modern furniture retailer, art gallery, and interior design firm. He then moved to Switzerland with his husband and traveled to 60 countries during the following 5 years. With a renewed passion and evolved design aesthetic, Jason returned to the US and partnered with Sarita to form Interior Matter in 2019. Jason stepped back from Interior Matter in 2023 to focus on a new venture related to global travel. He continues to be the creative director of Interior Matter’s monthly design newsletter, What Matters.

Emily Geis

Project Manager

Before relocating to Washington D.C., Emily launched her design career in Miami, handling projects spanning from New York City to southern Florida. Her design principles and ethos are credited to her mother, academic studies at Miami International University of Art and Design, and her distinctive professional experiences in the Design and Fashion industries. An inherent passion for visual arts empowers her to approach Interior Design with the perspectives of a Painter, Sculptor, Fashion Designer, and Artist, thereby creating spaces rich in layered elements that thoughtfully weave the unique narrative of each project. Emily is fueled by the sincerity and authenticity Interior Design infuses into every personalized project. Outside of work, she relishes family time, exploring innovative toddler hacks, experimenting with recipes from diverse cultures, and taking new workout classes with her girlfriends.

Arlene Penrose

Senior Designer

Arlene has developed a distinct aesthetic that embodies timeless and modern design. Her understated designs harmonize with materials and classic elements to achieve inviting environments that do not compromise on function. She naturally builds relationships with clients, forming a basis for understanding how they use each space and translating their personalities and ideas into reality.

After advancing her career in Dublin, where she earned her Master’s in Interior Architecture, Arlene gained extensive experience designing projects across Europe, North America, and the UK. With a strong passion for travel and architecture, she incorporates architectural character into interiors, complementing and elevating the original fabric with beautiful interiors that accommodate the clients’ needs.