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Inventing the California Look: Interiors by Frances Elkins, Michael Taylor, John Dickinson, and Other Design Innovators
The influential rooms of Elkins, Taylor, Dickinson, and other great talents—as photographed by Fred Lyon—represent the innovation and splendor of postwar Northern California interiors, which continue to inspire the work of designers today.
From the 1940s to the 1980s, some of the best resi-dences in Northern California were decorated by a coterie of designers whose names were once recognized only by the cognoscenti of interior design. From Frances Elkins and Tony Hail, with their aristocratic aesthetics, to Michael Taylor and John Dickinson, with their bold fantasies, these designers created revolutionary settings that were idiomatic of their time and place—fresh, luxurious spaces complementing the various terrains and lifestyles of the northern part of the state.
Fred Lyon (b. 1924) is perhaps the only photographer who knew and documented the work of this talented group. Akin to what Julius Shulman was doing in Southern California, Lyon worked closely with the designers and magazine editors to help shape the look for posterity. In the years following the work of these giants, most of the spaces they created are gone or vastly changed, replaced by different tastes and new styles. Now re-appreciated for their artistry, we can relive this exciting era through Lyon’s superb photography.
From the 1940s to the 1980s, some of the best resi-dences in Northern California were decorated by a coterie of designers whose names were once recognized only by the cognoscenti of interior design. From Frances Elkins and Tony Hail, with their aristocratic aesthetics, to Michael Taylor and John Dickinson, with their bold fantasies, these designers created revolutionary settings that were idiomatic of their time and place—fresh, luxurious spaces complementing the various terrains and lifestyles of the northern part of the state.
Fred Lyon (b. 1924) is perhaps the only photographer who knew and documented the work of this talented group. Akin to what Julius Shulman was doing in Southern California, Lyon worked closely with the designers and magazine editors to help shape the look for posterity. In the years following the work of these giants, most of the spaces they created are gone or vastly changed, replaced by different tastes and new styles. Now re-appreciated for their artistry, we can relive this exciting era through Lyon’s superb photography.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 2, 2022
This book is a primer for learning the origins of California Style. Although it centers on the career of iconic photographer Fred Lyons, the book is saturated with photos and stories about the decorating giants he worked beside. Tales about the stellar careers of Frances Elkins, Michael Taylor, John Dickenson, and Penelope Rozis (among others) are woven throughout the book, illustrated by the stunning photographs of Mr. Lyons. One could look only at the photographs and captions and spend hours on this book, but then the spare and impactful prose of Phillip E. Meza would be missed, which would be a shame! Yes, this huge tome is a "Coffee Table Book," (and hard to prop up with pillows at night!) yet it is also a rare glimpse into the mind of an artistic genius. Fred Lyon is a photographer not to be missed as his inimitable style and unequaled work ethic brought forth the true genius of the decorators that clamored to have their rooms shot (and sometimes styled) by this smart, humorous, and dedicated man. They don't make 'em like this anymore!
March 29, 2026
Decades of design & architecture through the lens of a photographer
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews