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Frances Elkins

California modernism with Beaux-Arts grace

Mid-Century · 1918–1953 · Monterey, CA

Signature styles

  • California Modernism
  • European Antiques
  • Restraint

Profile

Frances Elkins ran her practice from the Casa Amesti in Monterey and decorated Pebble Beach, Lake Forest, and Hawaiian houses with a mix of Jean-Michel Frank parchment, Diego Giacometti bronze, and serious European antiques — the first American practitioner to bridge European modernism and American comfort.

Visual language

Parchment walls, "Loop chairs" of her own design, Spanish-Colonial bones, modernist light fixtures.

Wallcoverings that match this designer

Curated by Designer Wallcoverings — collections that map to Frances's published interiors.

Stars of Design is an editorial profile directory. We are not affiliated with Frances Elkins or their studio. Wallcovering pairings are curated based on publicly available work and are sold by Designer Wallcoverings, the directory's publisher. Source citations are provided in line with fair-use editorial practice; visit each outlet directly for the full article.