About

This page provides information about the designer, Michelle Willis Adams, located in Charlottesville Virginia.

Working in the design business since 1997, Michelle followed in the footsteps of her mother, Evelyn Tyler Willis, who had a successful design business in New York State and Rappahannock, Virginia for over thirty five years.  After working with her mother for several years, Michelle opened her independent business in Charlottesville, Virginia.

While the majority of Michelle’s thriving design business focuses on private residences, projects have included work with the University of Virginia’s Offices of Admission, Jefferson Scholars Foundation, Colonnade Faculty Club, Hotel E, the Garden Room, and several historic pavilions on the Lawn.  
A full service design business, Michelle is able to provide her clients window and other custom fabric treatments, upholstery, slip covers, wall coverings, carpets, rugs, lighting fixtures, and accessories.   The placement and installation of artwork and paint specifications are other specialties.

While the majority of Michelle’s work features traditional, historic, or eclectic décor, her work has included French, contemporary, Arts and Crafts, and Art Deco projects.  Michelle contracts with and oversees area seamstresses, paper hangers, painters, upholsterers and other outstanding professionals to complete clients’ projects.

Whether a client needs new fabric treatments and furnishings or wishes to recover and re-work current furnishings, Michelle is able to work with them to create spaces which are beautiful, sophisticated, warm and welcoming, but also user friendly and livable.

Michelle believes strong listening skills are the most important tool a designer can possess.  She strives to create each client’s personal vision of a beautiful, comfortable, functional home.  She believes homes should never look “like a designer has been there,” but rather they should reflect the homeowner’s style.   Making her clients’ lives easier by bringing the options to them, overseeing all aspects of the necessary design, sewing, and installation, and providing the finishing touches are Michelle’s focus.