Perkins, John Astin, 1907-1999

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.

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