Just beyond the bustle of downtown Rochester lies one of the city’s best-kept secrets: The Adams Manor, a historic estate turned refined event space, where past and present live beautifully side by side. Steeped in nearly a century of history, The Adams Manor has long stood as a quiet symbol of architectural grace.
Today, thanks to the vision of Allie and Todd Detwiler and the thoughtful collaboration of Britney Fedricks of Britney & Co. Interior Design, its story continues, lovingly restored, reimagined, and ready to host life’s most meaningful gatherings. This is more than a design makeover; it’s a preservation of character, a celebration of craftsmanship, and the unveiling of a space where every corner tells a story.
Originally known as Frederick Darden’s estate, the name evolved over decades to become currently recognized as The Adams Manor, an enduring symbol of historic grandeur. The property showcases exquisite architectural features including slate roofing, plaster moldings, flint faience tile, pegged oak floors, cove ceilings, and ornate brass hardware. Anchored by five fireplaces, each with an elegant mantelpiece, The Adams Manor reflects the refined craftsmanship of its era. Built in 1932 by Canadian architect Arthur LeBaron Weeks, this English Tudor–style home was designed with hospitality in mind. The estate once boasted a private baseball field, tennis court, and an indoor pool rumored to have metallic stars glimmering on its ceiling, a testament to the original owner’s love for entertaining. Over the decades, the home’s spirit of warmth and welcome has never faded. When the great-grandchildren of the original owners returned for a family reunion, they shared cherished memories that echoed what Allie and Todd had already discovered: this house holds a soul. Now just seven years shy of its centennial, the Detwilers, only the third family to call The Adams Manor home, feel deeply privileged to preserve its legacy. “It’s clear that the people who have lived here stayed for a long time and built their families here,” Allie shared. The Detwilers are honored to be part of that history, and to help shape its next chapter as a place for connection, celebration, and community.
Allie and Todd fell in love with The Adams Manor the moment they stepped onto the property. “There are so few places in the area with this kind of acreage and privacy, it just felt like something rare and special,” says Allie. Drawn to its architectural character and rich history, they immediately saw the potential to restore the home to its original purpose: a space for gathering, celebrating, and creating meaningful memories. With backgrounds in entertainment and design, Allie as a producer at NBC’s Today Show, and Todd as a designer for Peloton and freelance illustrator, the couple brought a creative and hospitality-minded vision to the project. After years in New York City, the pandemic opened the door for a move back to Michigan, where Allie grew up. With a toddler in tow and another on the way, the timing felt serendipitous. Today, the Detwilers not only host select events at The Adams Manor, they live there, raising their two young children among the estate’s nearly 40 acres. Their days are filled with the simple joys of skipping stones in the pond, hiking wooded trails, playing in the creek, and spotting wildlife in the backyard. It’s a place where history and home intertwine, where their family is making memories of their own while opening the doors for others to do the same.
When Allie and Todd first imagined The Adams Manor as a venue, their vision was both ambitious and intuitive. “We saw amazing bones right away,” Allie says. “The veranda felt like a cocktail hour waiting to happen. The servant’s quarters? A bridal suite. The game room? A groom’s space. Even the old indoor pool felt like it could become a ballroom. It was all there; it just needed someone to help us bring it to life.” That someone was Britney Fedricks of Britney & Co., whose warm, layered, and timeless design philosophy aligned perfectly with the couple’s desire to honor the home’s character while enhancing it for modern gatherings. Known for her ability to blend function with feeling, Britney approached the project with deep intention, preserving the architectural integrity of the space while creating rooms that felt welcoming, beautiful, and setup for entertaining.
It’s clear that Britney wasn’t just the right designer for The Adams Manor, she was the perfect partner. Her calm flexibility, creative eye, and collaborative spirit allowed Allie and Todd to bring their vision to life while navigating the realities of a large-scale renovation. “We met with probably ten different designers in the area,” Allie shares. “But Brit really stood out to us from the beginning. She understood the scale of what we were doing, never made us feel bad when things shifted, and always stayed open-minded and collaborative. She gives honest opinions, but ultimately lets you make the decisions. She’s a true team player.” As founder of Britney & Co., formally known as Decorlift, Britney brings that same thoughtful and flexible energy to every project she takes on. “My entrepreneurial journey began with Decorlift, a DIY blog during my college years,” she explains. “It was a creative outlet where I could share my love for interiors and styling. Over time, it evolved into a full-service design studio.” That evolution came naturally, shaped by a combination of hands-on experience, formal training, and what she calls “a lifelong curiosity about how people interact with their environments.”
Britney’s design philosophy centers around creating spaces that are not only
beautiful, but deeply livable and purposeful. “Each space in your home should feel not only beautiful but also functional,” Britney shares. “A well-designed space has an impact on your everyday life.” She describes her personal style as “rooted in timelessness with a modern sensibility”, often blending old and new, layering textures, and creating moments of visual surprise. “I’m endlessly drawn to classic patterns, mixed finishes, well layered textures and warm neutrals,” she says. “They ground a space and create a sense of timelessness. And I love a good wallpaper moment; it’s such a powerful way to add personality.”
More than anything, Britney wants the spaces she creates to feel meaningful.
“Good design is about how a space makes you feel,” she says. “It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about creating an environment that supports your lifestyle, reflects your values, and brings you joy. It should feel like home.” That emotional impact is what drives her work, “I hope they remember how it made them feel, welcomed and inspired. I want my designs to linger in memory not just for how they looked, but for the experience they created,” Britney shares.
For Allie and Todd, finding the right partner to bring their vision to life meant more than hiring someone with impeccable taste, it meant finding someone who could see the soul of the home and respect its story. “Britney has great design sensibilities, a great personality, and really understands the historic part of the home,” Allie shares. “But she also knew we were a young family, and it had to be livable and usable while still honoring the era of the house.”
What began as a vision to honor the estate’s legacy quickly transformed into a creative journey defined by collaboration and trust. Together, they reimagined nearly every space in the home while transforming once-overlooked areas into show-stopping features. Britney thoughtfully incorporated original architectural
details like arched doorways, while updating color palettes, lighting, and materials to reflect a more current, elevated aesthetic. “I leaned into timeless elements like olive greens, natural wood, and classic patterns to bridge the old and new,” she explains. From solving quirky challenges in a former shower room-turned-bathroom suite to reimagining one of their most impactful spaces, every decision was made with clear intention. The basement, once a disused indoor pool, is now a bold black-and-white ballroom, complete with a custom bar that has become the heart of the venue. “The bar was all Britney,” Allie says. “We hadn’t even thought of adding one, but she insisted it would be a game changer and she was right.”
“There were moments when we felt overwhelmed, but we always leaned into Britney’s expertise,” Allie adds. “She was and is our design guiding light.” Britney felt equally inspired by their trust and connection: “This project was deeply personal and truly a dream. It wasn’t just about design, it was about friendship, trust, and creating something lasting. Allie and Todd are incredibly thoughtful and creative, and they trusted me while also being deeply involved.” Over time, the partnership evolved into something far more meaningful, a real bond that now goes beyond a designer-client partnership.
For Allie and Todd, crafting events at The Adams Manor is about so much more than simply providing a venue, it’s about creating an experience that lingers in the hearts of guests long after the celebration ends. “We want people to walk away with a sense of gratitude for the preservation of the property and an appreciation that we’ve created a hospitable, intentional place to host life’s most meaningful moments.” Allie shares. Every event is designed to feel intimate, exclusive, and rooted in the beauty of the property and the legacy of the home. Unlike traditional venues that host back-to-back events, The Adams Manor limits its calendar to just a small number each year. This slower pace allows couples and families to truly immerse themselves in the space. From multiple-day access to flexible planning support, guests get to settle in and feel at home. “Couples get access to the property for several days before and after the event so they feel quite familiar with the space by the time their big day comes around.”
That personal connection is something Allie and Todd know firsthand. A year after moving in, they renewed their own vows on the property in an intimate ceremony shared only with their children, celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary, a heartfelt memory that deepened their appreciation for what could be experienced at The Adams Manor. The Adams Manor doesn’t just offer a blank canvas; it offers a story. Touring the property becomes an experience in itself, with potential hosts envisioning their ceremony under the old trees, a reception in the elegant ballroom, and cocktails on the veranda.
“We guide them through the possibilities, but also let the space speak for itself,” says Allie. “It’s not for everyone. It takes vision, but the people who love it? They really love it.” The emotional core of their vision came to life during the first official wedding hosted on the property. “The venue wasn’t even close to being finished,” Allie admits, “but when we saw the guests arriving and the shock on their faces when they pulled in, not knowing something like this place even existed, was magical.” From the home’s historic architecture to the modern design touches curated in partnership with Britney & Co., every detail contributes to the atmosphere. The natural surroundings, from towering trees to the peaceful pond, bring a sense of escape and quiet elegance. “We always say it feels like Up North, but without the drive.”
Looking ahead, Allie and Todd are committed to continuing the evolution of the property while staying grounded in their mission. “This is one of those places that will always be improving,” they say. “There’s a long list, from little things like painting a room to major projects like transforming our old pool into a ballroom. But we’ve learned it’s a marathon, not a sprint and having an innovative team, like Britney & Co. is a great place to start.” While weddings are at the heart of what they offer, The Adams Manor has also hosted charity events, sorority formals, and birthday parties for their own children. “It’s such a joy to see people make memories here,” Allie shares. “That’s what it’s all about, letting the home continue to be a place for connection.” If they had to sum up the spirit of the space? “Unique. Welcoming. Timeless.” And for those lucky enough to experience it, it’s all that and more.
“We want people to walk away with a sense of gratitude for the preservation of the property and an appreciation that we’ve created a hospitable, intentional place to host life’s most meaningful moments” – Allie shares.