John Astin Perkins:

An Inventory of his Drawings, Photographic Materials, Objects, and Papers, 1924-1994

Biographical Sketch of John Astin Perkins

During the better part of the twentieth century, John Astin Perkins was considered "the decorator of choice" in Dallas and was credited with bringing New York Style to that city. With a career spanning 70 years, his work encompassed schools, clubs, office buildings, hotels, department stores, and homes both small and grand. He was also an architect (State of Texas Architecture License, 1937) and designed large residences, additions, and a collection of modest single-family homes.

John Astin Perkins was born on March 2, 1907 in McKinney, Texas to Frank Dudley Perkins and Daisy Astin Perkins. He attended the Terrill School, earning his diploma in 1924. He began his education in architecture at Yale University, where he received the prestigious Beaux-Arts award, graduating in 1928. He then attended University of Texas at Austin, receiving a B.S. in 1931 and studied interior design starting in 1931 at the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts (Parsons), receiving his diploma in 1933. He returned to Dallas during the Great Depression to seek work. He was always in private practice, although briefly he worked with Cooper.

Perkins blended his own colors and mixed periods, styles, and fabrics. "I always try to express the client's taste and personality in my work, to interpret and adapt their wishes, likes, and dislikes," noted Perkins in the Spring/Summer1977 issue of Texas Homes magazine (p. 36). Many of his designs were featured in Town & Country, House and Garden, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, and Palm Beach Life. Perkins's colors were bright and were often applied to classic and traditional styles. His own Dallas home, designed in the French Country style, was the subject of many articles and photo essays. It housed an extensive collection of French antiques from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Perkins also designed rugs and furniture.

Perkins was active in Dallas society. He was a member of the American Society of Architects, Texas Society of Architects, Dallas Chamber of Commerce, a Bachelor Member of the Hesitation Club, and the University Club. Around Dallas, he was known not only as a top designer but also as a host of lavish parties and a wonderful dancer.

John Astin Perkins died on September 17, 1999 in Dallas, leaving behind an impressive and unique design legacy. "Someone told me… that my designs had been featured in Architectural Digest more often than anyone else's," Perkins reflected in Texas Homes. "I said there could be two reasons for that. Either I'm a top designer or I've simply been designing longer than anyone else." (p. 38)

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Scope and Content of the Collection

The collection, which spans the years 1924-1994, contains drawings, photographs, ledgers, correspondence, awards, personal papers, ephemera, objects, scrapbooks, and published materials relating to the architectural and interior designs of John Astin Perkins. The collection comprehensively documents the interior designs for such prominent projects as the James Ling Residence, the Ford Albritton Residence, the Imperial Club, the Hotel Statler, and the Dallas Country Club. Photographs illustrate Perkins's unique interior style and use of color. The collection is divided into five series: Project Records, Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Printed Materials, and Art & Artifacts.

The bulk of John Astin Perkins's work lies in the first series, Project Records, which includes drawings and plans for both architectural and interior design. Projects in this series include the grandiose residence of James Ling; Ford Albritton's Sea Island, Georgia summer home; interiors for the Imperial Club, the Insurance Club, and the Dallas Women's Club; and the Hotel Statler. Not all drawings in the collection are completely processed.

The second series, Personal Papers, includes photographs of Perkins's own home, a French Country showpiece that was featured in many architectural and design magazines. Also included is a collection of Christmas cards that Perkins sent.

The third series, Professional Papers, contains correspondence and financial records pertaining to his business. Also included herein are his awards and diplomas earned over the course of his lifetime.

The Printed Materials series illuminates the magnitude of publicity and popular acclaim Perkins's designs garnered. Perkins himself maintained three scrapbooks which he filled with newspaper and magazine clippings on himself. The thirty-seven magazines were annotated by Perkins to indicate where in the magazine the article on his work could be found.

Arts and Artifacts consist of three boxes of drafting tools that belonged to Perkins. One set bears the name of the University of Texas Co-op Society, indicating that he purchased them while a student at UT.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Access is by appointment only to any serious scholar. Rolled materials must be flattened before viewing. A three-day advance notice is required to flatten rolled materials. Portions of this collection are not processed and may not be accessible.

Restrictions on Use

Permission for publication is given on behalf of the University of Texas as the owner of the collection and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder which must be obtained by the researcher. For more information please see the Alexander Architectural Archive's Use Policy.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

John Astin Perkins collection, the Alexander Architectural Archive, the General Libraries, the University of Texas at Austin

Processing Information

Processing for this collection was generously underwrited in part by the heirs of John Astin Perkins. Processing is not yet completed. Please see the archive's staff for more information.

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Other Finding Aids

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Detailed Description of the Collection