Usually this time of year is pretty quiet but it just got very exciting for my dear friend Michelle Adams. Her gorgeous home in Ann Arbor, Michigan is featured in the new February issue of House Beautiful.

Many of us dream of getting out of the rat race in New York but Michelle actually made the move in 2014. She decided to switch from the fast paced world of publishing to consulting. She also moved to Michigan to be closer to her family and enjoy a better quality of life.

It took about a year to take her 1920’s Colonial from fixer-upper to camera ready and it was worth the effort. The chic white backdrop that was inspired by the J.K. Place Hotel in Capri is a far cry from the multi-colored rooms and sad kitchen in the original house. You have to check out the before and after photos online so you can see just how much work went into making the house into a true dream home.

I was with Michelle in Paris when she bought some of the fabric and pillows in the house from Tensira and I love seeing how it turned out. I also love that she was brave enough to make the move from New York. I have a feeling she going to be inspiring a lot of people to do the same soon.

Styling by Olga Naiman and photography by Beatriz da Costa.