Frances Adler Elkins (1888-1953) was one of the most prominent grand-dame decorators of the first half of the twentieth century. She was the sister of architect David Adler. Their travels together in Europe inspired her passion for design.

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 According to The New York Times, Elkins “pioneered vibrant interiors, in which solid historical references met effervescent modernist fantasy.” She developed an eclectic and bold style, mixing many different periods of design in nearly every room she completed. By the end of her career, she had collaborated with Adler to complete fifteen large scale houses.