About

Set apart by an editor’s eye for the ideal version of each element, founder and lead designer Melissa Colgan believes quality is everything and can unify even the most eclectic pieces and finishes. Eras, cultures, textures, colors and prints come together in unexpected ways, forming spaces that are spontaneous, welcoming and authentic reflections of those who inhabit them.

Washington
Interiors
A globally astute design firm creating interiors that last.

melissa colgan

If you’ve ever wished for a friend with effortless style, who knew how to put things together in unexpected ways, listened, respected your views, had the names of all the best tradespeople and contacts around the world to find just the right objects to fill yours, meet Melissa. A successful interior stylist who’s worked with some of the best creative teams and publications in the country, she offers a ton of design intelligence, in every sense. During her almost five years at Martha Stewart, Melissa honed her ability to tell visual stories and bring ideas to life, soaking up the expertise of those around her. From Martha to joining the teams at ELLE DECOR, Veranda and House Beautiful, she travelled the world, broadening her brand and manufacturing knowledge at major fabric, lighting, furniture and design shows in Milan, Paris, London and the US.

After relocating from New York City to Washington, DC, Melissa cut her teeth in the local design industry with two highly regarded firms before launching her own in 2019. Today, she’s sought out for her ability to distill clients’ ideas and style into highly individual designs, creating interiors that are engaging, spirited and layered with purposeful details.

Team

Molly Sedmak Lee
Project Manager

Artfully layering the classic with the contemporary, Molly's timeless aesthetic has been honed from nearly 10 years of design study and experience. Her design approach aims to invite connection and serenity, respecting the integrity of the space. After studying at the College of Charleston, Molly has worked for interior and art consulting firms in Charleston, Nashville, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C. Having grown up in Northern Virginia, she is grateful to extend her professional network and be close to family. She currently lives in Old Town, Alexandria with her husband.

Grace Matthews
Design Assistant & Project Manager

Hailing from a Baltimore family of fine artists, Grace was raised in a creative environment and brings her aesthetic eye and intrinsic knowledge of line, movement and color to her projects at Melissa Colgan Interiors. After graduating from Swanee with a degree in Art History, Grace worked as a gallery assistant, which further informed her knowledge of fine arts and allowed her the opportunity to work with designers to place art in their projects. Her meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills counterbalance her creative instincts, making her a unique asset to our projects.

Kathleen Miller
Design Assistant & Project Manager

Growing up as a granddaughter to a keen antiques collector instilled in Kathleen an infatuation with the decorative arts and an earned understanding of the scale and details prevalent in different eras. Born in eastern Pennsylvania, Kathleen graduated from Penn State and cut her teeth at a textiles showroom lending her a unique knowledge of textiles, wallpaper, and pasmentiere. Detail oriented as both a project manager and when assisting on design plans, Kathleen brings a unique perspective and ability to tie together details. A keen communicator, Kathleen is much called upon by our trades when questions arise.

Janet Montessi
Design Assistant

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Janet grew up with an interest in interiors that originated from travels and exposure to fine art at a young age, both instilling in her an eye for design. A graduate of University of Texas, Janet spent 7 years working in federal communications, most notably serving as the chief spokesperson for both a federal agency and a congressional office. Her background in crisis communications provides valuable experience that allows her to effectively liaise between vendors, clients, and the design team and navigate the dynamic back-end of the design business.

Tala Jarrah
Design Assistant

A Northern Virginia native, Tala has grown up with an interest in design and pattern that originated from travels at a young age. With Tala's combined experience at a bespoke upholstery workroom and current studies at Marymount University in pursuit of a degree in interior design, she brings a fresh perspective to each project. Tala uses her knowledge and communication skills to serve as a liaison between vendors and the design team to ensure a seamless experience for each client at Melissa Colgan Interiors.

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