Somebody lives here.: Frances Elkins

I am parked at home today, planning for a major remodel I am coordinating for a new client and nursing a bad cold. Planning days usually require a long look at some of my favorite design books for inspiration. One of my favorites is Frances Elkins Interior Design by Stephen M. Salny.

Frances Elkins was born in 1888 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She worked solidly from the early 1920's until her death in 1953. Collaboration with her brother, the celebrated architect David Adler, started with their travel forays in Europe in the early 1900's. Projects in California and Illinois were soon to display the development of their European influences into spectacular, eclectic buildings and interiors. Frances became well known on her own for her seamless integration of many styles and motifs, including chinoiserie, French and modernist influences. She punctuated her interiors with fearless, bold color and glittering luxurious surfaces. Frequently, Elkins own furniture, rug and wallpaper designs showed up in her projects. I love that every room had a surprise. Skulls on the wall of a luxe gallery, a fluorescent pink bench in an otherwise tonal color palette, an oversized Buddha standing tall in the center of a room. She also acted as a champion for European artists such as Alberto Giacometti whose work graces many of her interiors in the form of lamps and sculpture. The now iconic loop chair that has been attributed to Elkins shows up in almost every material imaginable, you have probably seen it! Take a look, and if you would like to see more I highly recommend Stephen Salny's book.

The Gallery at the Yerba Buena Club for the Golden Gate Exposition , 1939
Fearless use of rustic, iconic skulls with ultra luxe surfaces

Salny, page 119. The bar and adjoining card room in this home was encased in a soft aura of blue. Relaxing and organic, tied to nature through the bold stripe of the zebra rug and the soft glow of the shell sconce on the wall.

And of course, a BANCO. Salny, p 134

Salny, page 23. In her own living room at Casa Amesti in Moneterey, California, Elkins used her favorite colors to create this unusual and inviting seating arrangement.

Finally, the Loop chairs. I am seeing them everywhere!