Frances Adler Elkins

Frances Adler Elkins (7 November 1888 – 26 August 1953), was one of the twentieth century's most prominent female designers. She was the sister of architect David Adler. Elkins has been called “the first great California decorator.” According to The New York Times Elkins "pioneered vibrant interiors, in which solid historical references met effervescent modernist fantasy."

Frances Adler Elkins was born in Milwaukee on November 7, 1888. Her father was a prosperous clothing manufacturer. Elkins was the younger sister of the renowned architect David Adler.

Elkins did not go to college, but when Adler studied architecture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris (1908-1911) Elkins joined him in Europe. The siblings met several avant garde artisans in Europe. Elkins was particularly drawn to the work of designer Jean-Michel Frank and sculptor Alberto Giacometti. Elkins collaborated with the two artists, making suggestions for some of Frank's leather furniture and Giacometti's handcrafted plaster lamps.

In 1917, Elkins was married wealthy polo player, Felton Broomall Elkins. A 1911 New York Times article estimated that Felton Elkins had inherited $2 million (the equivalent of $47 million in 2013) from his family in Philadelphia. The couple had three children together: Frances Adler Elkins, Katherine F. Elkins Boyd and Charles W. Elkins. They moved to Monterey, CA in 1918 and soon divorced.

After the divorce, Elkins supported their children by decorating houses for friends and then hotels, clubs and stores. Her first clients were Pebble Beach socialites.

Among her earliest projects was Hester Griffin's Monterrey Colonial house. The house was designed by George Washington Smith. In the living room, Elkins combined traditional elements such as Chippendale furniture, Queen Anne mirrors, and Ming screens with modern lamps by Jean-Michel Frank and Salvador Dalí. Griffin raved over the new living room.

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