Designers

Christine Pokela

“When it comes to a design for a client, it’s all about them. It’s all about fitting them and going with what their vision is. It’s important to have those conversations! Get to know them personally, and what they’re all about. Are they into music or flowers or something else? Let’s incorporate the space into where they’re living, so it’s not just a room but a part of them. I’ve [designed] everything from shabby chic to farmhouse to modern to eclectic, … and it might not be my style, but it’s for them. At the end of the day, that’s where they’re living.”

Christine Pokela is the Design Studio Manager for Designed for Downtown LLC. She is an experienced interior designer with extensive hands on experience creating homes to suit diverse aesthetics and lifestyles.

Christine recently moved to the Greenville area from Wisconsin. She is excited to serve a new and growing market with unique and personalized designs.

Miranda Trabal

“I am constantly inspired by the charm and beauty of Greenville. From historic architecture to modern developments, and from scenic mountain views to the vibrant energy of Downtown, this growing city has a little bit of everything. As a designer, my passion is blending creativity and problem-solving to understand my client’s wants and needs and create unique spaces tailored to their lifestyle. Spaces that are not only a place to live, but spaces that feel like home and reflect the people living in it.”

Miranda Trabal is an Interior Designer for Designed for Downtown, LLC. She is a graduate of Bob Jones University with a bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture and Design.  She has experience in design and material selection. 

Miranda serves as the secretary/treasurer of the Greenville chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association beginning January 2025.

Lilly Kotyakov

“As a designer, my passion is to make the lives of others better. I find that when I help others design their space, it makes my life meaningful and a little bit more fun. I especially enjoy getting to meet people on the job, whether it be clients or vendors, and getting to know every person’s story, while simultaneously being wowed by beautiful color selections or natural stone sinks. I think that to design for someone, you need to be able to understand and know a little more about a client’s life, personality, and desires. I find working at Designed for Downtown to be a constant learning experience, and because of that, I love what I do. I strive to never stop learning from experts and to always do my best. ”

Lilly Kotyakov is an Interior Designer for Designed for Downtown, LLC. She is a graduate from Bob Jones University, with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture and Design. Lilly has experience in the design process and is skilled at building strong relationships with her clients that help her serve them better.

Tim Freitag

“Greenville is famously green because of its trees and landscapes. I love being able to contribute to that by designing outdoor spaces and landscapes that complement the various architectural style and diverse client needs.”

Tim Freitag is the Landscape Designer for Designed for Downtown, LLC. Tim is a graduate of Clemson University, where he received a B.L.A. for Landscape Architecture.

Tim grew up in the Greenville Area, and began working for Designed for Downtown, LLC in 2019. He has experience in project management, landscape planning, outdoor kitchens, pools, exterior structures and planting design.