THE DESIGN ATELIER is known for curating timeless interiors that capture the authentic spirit of their clientele, resulting in welcoming and livable environments. The firm’s collaborative approach in working with clients, architects, builders, and artisans allows for a cohesive and creative process that elevates the team rather than the individual, resulting in designs that are more thoughtful, intentional, and impactful.
The Design Atelier has completed projects along the eastern seaboard.
Melanie Millner is an award-winning designer with a deep appreciation for art, architecture, travel and meaningful experiences. She has earned a reputation for refined and beautiful interiors that focus on the comfort of home without compromising timeless style. Melanie continues to attract a loyal clientele who count on her synthesis of rich materials, beautiful color palettes and unique, expressive interiors that create the feeling of home for each individual project.
She was born in New York and spent her formative years on Long Island and in the Northeast. Her family then moved to Texas where she attended The University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1990 with a degree in Interior Design. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia and worked for an architectural firm until she gained the experience necessary to start her own Atlanta-based interiors firm in 1993.
The Design Atelier is regularly featured in publications such as LUXE Interiors + Design Magazine, House Beautiful, Interior Design Magazine, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Maine Home + Design and others. She has participated in numerous Showhouses, served on the board of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), the board of MODA (Museum of Design Atlanta), and is an active member of the Design Leadership Network. Melanie has received a Phillip Trammell Shutze Award from the ICAA along with numerous ASID Design Excellence awards, Kitchen and Bath of the Year awards and is a Registered Interior Designer in the state of Georgia.
Melanie enjoys her free time seeking inspiration through travel, art galleries, museums and fashion while her heart lives in the beauty of the natural landscape of Maine.
Katelyn Cook joined The Design Atelier team in the fall of 2019 after graduating from the University of Georgia's Lamar Dodd School of Art with a BFA in Interior Design. Before graduation, she spent a summer semester studying in Italy and holds a certification as a LEED green associate.
Katelyn’s passion for design began early on and has continued ever since. She spent her childhood growing up on an organic farm in North Georgia, where she learned to appreciate the beauty in nature and developed a love for artistic expression.
Katelyn strives to create timeless and livable spaces that reflect the personalities of the people who live within them. She believes that design goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about storytelling, connection, and personal expression. She is continually drawing inspiration through art, nature, and cultural influences to create an individual and unique sense of home to every one of their clients.
She enjoys exploring the outdoors with her beloved golden retriever, Sully, and practicing yoga at her favorite local studio. With an adventurous spirit and a love for all things creative, Katelyn embraces each day as an opportunity for new experiences and inspiration.
Rachel Gavalas brings a unique perspective to her role as an interior designer, drawing from her professional and personal experience. Rachel joined The Design Atelier in 2023 to lead the team’s hospitality-focused projects.
Rachel was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, after her parents moved back home from Athens, Greece. She spent her summers traveling throughout Europe, which shaped her appreciation for architecture, art, and hospitality.
After years of admiring design, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Auburn University. Rachel further enriched her education with a semester studying in Italy to earn an International Minor in Human Sciences. The experience fueled her passion for hospitality design, which became the focus of her senior thesis. Rachel was selected as one of five students to present her thesis, a boutique hotel in New York, inspiring her career path.
She moved to New York City to hone her skills and expertise working with a renowned design firm and an international private hospitality group. She has contributed to various projects — from hotels featured in acclaimed publications to restaurants that have earned Michelin Stars. With a strong foundation laid, she returned to Atlanta to pursue a mix of high-end work – from private residences to local restaurants. Now, she is thrilled to have come full circle with an opportunity to utilize her skills and collaborate with a talented team that shares her passion for all facets of interiors.
Outside the studio, you can find Rachel antique shopping, visiting a local coffee shop, and enjoying time with her husband and miniature golden doodle, Bear.
Danielle Antos is an Atlantan native with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Alabama. A seasoned interior designer, Danielle’s expertise extends across various projects, from mountain retreats to coastal estates, while bringing a unique blend of creativity and technical prowess. Her education and experience have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of spatial dynamics, aesthetics, and functionality.
With a keen eye for detail and a passion for creating captivating spaces, Danielle seamlessly merges her interior design and architecture expertise. Her holistic approach ensures that each project is visually remarkable and tailored to meet her clients' practical needs and preferences. Adept in traditional and digital mediums, Danielle brings her visions to life through precise drawings and expressive hand sketching. Her proficiency in these tools allows her to effectively communicate her ideas and collaborate with clients and fellow professionals, resulting in cohesive and impactful design solutions. While expertise holds significance, she emphasizes the paramount importance of fostering strong relationships among our team members, clients, and design professionals to ensure the successful execution of every project.
From an early age, she sensed her inclination towards a creative career and was fascinated with interior design and the endless potential each space held. Driven by her dedication to excellence and love for crafting inspiring environments, Danielle continues to leave her mark in interior design, transforming spaces into expressions of artistry and functionality that resonate with those who inhabit them.
Beyond the drafting table, Danielle loves exploring her city with friends and family, savoring homemade delicacies in her kitchen, finding new restaurants, and strolling along the Atlanta Beltline.
Isabella Caswell was born and raised in Alpharetta, Georgia. She recently graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and a Minor in Business. Isabella’s passion for design began at an early age, as she grew up making regular trips to ADAC with her mom, eagerly exploring showrooms and helping source textiles and finishes for projects. These experiences sparked her love for design and instilled a deep appreciation for the creative process.
During her time at Auburn, Isabella was President of The Societies, Auburn’s professional student-led chapters of ASID and IIDA, establishing meaningful connections between students and industry professionals. In this leadership role, she helped foster a supportive and collaborative environment where students could build confidence as they prepared for their future careers.
Isabella is passionate about designing beautiful, functional spaces that enhance clients’ everyday lives. Her design philosophy focuses on intentional, user-centered solutions that balance creativity and purpose.
She is excited to begin her professional career at The Design Atelier. Outside of the office, Isabella enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and exploring new restaurants in Atlanta.
Born and raised in Georgia, Ashton graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. During her time there, she gained experience working with both residential and commercial design firms, developing her eye for detail and appreciation for how thoughtful design can shape the way people live. While studying abroad in France, Ashton completed a project that earned her an IDA Award, recognizing her commitment to creativity and design excellence.
Her love for design began long before college. Growing up, she spent countless hours on job sites with her grandfather and uncle at their family’s building company, where she first fell in love with the technical and creative process behind design. Watching them bring projects from concepts to creation sparked her fascination with the craft and inspired her pursuit of a creative career.
A timeless sensibility and an emphasis on craftsmanship, creativity, and personality define Ashton’s work. Beyond interiors, she expresses her creativity through her own studio, where she creates jewelry, art, and custom paper goods. This artistic work reflects her belief that beauty is found in everyday details—and that through the power of design, we transform the world around us.
Her travels continue to provide endless inspiration, influencing both her creative work and personal perspective. Outside the studio, Ashton enjoys walks with friends, time with family, pilates, and any opportunity to explore something new and beautiful.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Amelia graduated from The Lovett School and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Business in 2022. From a young age, she has always had a passion for interior design—a passion that continued to grow throughout her academic and professional journey. While in college, she pursued this interest by taking interior design courses and interning with an Atlanta-based design firm during summer and winter breaks.
After graduating, she returned to Atlanta to begin her career as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager, bringing her business acumen and creative interests together in a fast-paced design environment. She later expanded her experience in the corporate world, serving as Executive Assistant to the CEO of a digital marketing company, where she honed her skills in operations, marketing, sales, and office management.
She combines organizational expertise with a deep appreciation for interior design and feels drawn to the industry’s inspiring energy. Amelia thrives at the intersection of creativity and business. She is passionate about the behind-the-scenes strategy that drives successful design projects and finds fulfillment in supporting teams that bring beautiful spaces to life.
Amelia enjoys staying active outside the studio, such as long walks, pilates, and yoga. She loves spending quality time with family and friends and often travels around the Southeast to visit loved ones. Her weekends are usually filled with meaningful connections, good food, and movement that keep her energized and inspired.
