Skip to main content

William Billy Haines Furniture

American, 1900-1973

Plenty of prolific designers started off on slightly different tracks than those on which they ended up, but rarely did they begin their careers in a totally separate industry like William “Billy” Haines did. Before he gained a reputation as a furniture designer and decorator to Hollywood’s biggest and brightest, Haines was himself a star of the silver screen.

After leaving his native Virginia as a young man, Haines earned modeling and acting jobs in New York City and then won a Goldwyn Studios talent contest in the early 1920s. The next frontier was California, where he would go on to appear in more than 50 films. His acting career was halted abruptly in 1933, allegedly because he refused to leave his partner, British footballer Jimmy Shields, at the request of his representation at MGM Studios. Whether it was the fact that Haines was one half of Hollywood’s first openly gay marriage or that there were other factors at play, MGM cofounder Louis B. Mayer canceled his contract.

Luckily for Haines, he had nurtured a side career that kept him on Hollywood’s radar: He was a prominent antiques dealer on La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles. Haines dedicated himself full-time to both dealing and designing furniture as soon as his tenure as a leading man came to an end.

Haines collaborated with the era’s biggest names in architecture and created a desert living room for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco that featured walls made of California Joshua wood and a painting by Georgia O’ Keeffe. He paid close attention to lighting design, employed hand-painted wallpaper and favored featuring Chinese ceramics alongside Chippendale chairs and ottomans for entertaining. His most famous clients included Joan Crawford, Carole Lombard, Betsy Bloomingdale and more. Crawford played a significant role in kick-starting his career when she commissioned Haines to decorate her entire home in Brentwood.

Haines was such an esteemed tastemaker that he’s among those credited with having cemented Hollywood Regency as a reputable design style. (Its origins are owed to influential interior decorator Dorothy Draper.) While he gravitated toward the look of chinoiserie and English furniture, his signature was low-level seating and giltwood accents. Haines’s interior design style was so in vogue that Nancy Reagan became one of his biggest fans and eventually enlisted Ted Graber, Haines’s successor following his death in 1973, to decorate several private and public rooms in the White House.

Find a collection of vintage William Haines lounge chairs, lighting fixtures and other furniture on 1stDibs.

1
to
1
1
1
1
1
28
27
7
16
1
1
1
1
1
1
23
179
123
92
86
Period: 1940s
Creator: William Billy Haines
A Bakelite and Leather Backgammon Table by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This Backgammon table is of a very rare form and fabrication made for the former Ziegfeld Girl and actress Jean Howard. Howard began her career with Ziegfeld and was subsequently signed to MGM where she appeared in several films in the 1930s and no doubt where she met Billy Haines who was contracted at MGM during the same period of time. in 1934 she married Hollywood talent agent Charles K. Feldman and became on of Hollywoods "It" hostesses. During the 1940s and 50s she captured much of Hollywoods social...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Leather, Bakelite

Related Items
Modern Leather Backgammon Chip Set by Impatia
By IMPATIA
Located in Milan, IT
With each collection, Impatia aims to explore design through different perspectives. Among a strong focus on developing one of a kind game tables, it is just as equally important to focus on the accessories. As a result, Impatia offers a range of luxury game accessories that complement each table perfectly. Extending the use of high-quality materials and Italian craftsmanship each accessory set is carefully thought out and designed to perfection. This modern game set is perfect for any backgammon lover. Hand-crafted in Italy by artisans, the backgammon game set features a rectangular box made from genuine Italian leather with a complete set of chrome chips with a magnetic element for easy stacking. The game set also includes a premium set of leather dice shakers...
Category

2010s Italian Modern William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Modern Leather Backgammon Chip Set by Impatia
Modern Leather Backgammon Chip Set by Impatia
H 2.96 in W 2.96 in D 12.01 in
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Parson's style backgammon table newly produced in walnut and refinished in ebony. The game board features hand inlaid mahogany and beech wood. Playing surface flips to reveal a solid...
Category

2010s American William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
H 29.38 in W 32 in D 32 in
William and Mary Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A hand-carved and inlaid games table, the reversible chess and hand-tooled leather inlaid top revealing a backgammon board below, the frieze with two opposing end drawers, on spiral ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese William and Mary William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

William and Mary Game Table
William and Mary Game Table
H 30 in W 34 in D 27 in
Custom Walnut Game Table with Backgammon and Chess Table
Located in New York, NY
Custom walnut and mahogany backgammon table that converts to chess with a slide out board. New production. Made to order in walnut and mahogany. Designed and made in NYC, each tab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Custom Walnut Game Table with Backgammon and Chess
Located in New York, NY
Sale one week only. Custom walnut backgammon table that converts to chess with a slide out board. Can be made in your preferred size and color...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Parson's style backgammon table newly produced and refinished in a medium walnut. The game board features hand inlaid mahogany and beech wood. Playing surface flips to reveal a solid...
Category

2010s American William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Walnut

Parson's Style Backgammon Table
Parson's Style Backgammon Table
H 29.38 in W 32 in D 32 in
21st Century Jacoby Backgammon Table Leather Wood Marquetry
Located in RIO TINTO, PT
The earliest known mention of Backgammon was in a letter dated 1635 when it was emerging as a variant of the popular medieval Anglo-Scottish game. Regarded as the second world backgammon champion, Oswald Jacoby is remembered as an iconic player. Tributing Jacoby and all the backgammon players, Wood Tailors Club designers conceived this exquisite game table. Leather-wrapped edges top and wood surface open to reveal a marquetry wood table...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

All Glass Modern Backgammon Game Table by Impatia
By IMPATIA
Located in Milan, IT
The Tuttuno leather edition backgammon game table is designed to accommodate two players with a built-in backgammon playing surface. The minimalistic design gives off the unique impression that the table is floating. This Tuttuno table features a unique low-iron glass structure supported by an inner genuine leather top trim, finished off with a premium Alcantara playing surface which is laser printed with the backgammon board. This table is exclusively made 100% in Italy and sourced from the highest quality of materials. Accessories Included: 1 custom leather backgammon box + cheker set 2 dice shakers...
Category

2010s Italian Modern William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Custom Walnut Game Table with Ebony Backgammon and Chess Table
Located in New York, NY
Custom walnut and mahogany backgammon table that converts to chess with a slide out board. New production. Made to order in walnut and mahogany. Designed and made in NYC, each tab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pierre Acrylic Backgammon Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern clear lucite table with backgammon board made by Interludehome.. Accenting brass hardware. Please confirm location.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Lucite

Pierre Acrylic Backgammon Table
Pierre Acrylic Backgammon Table
H 30 in W 40.5 in D 30.5 in
Maison Jansen Modernist Backgammon Table, 1970s France
By Maison Jansen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chic Maison Jansen chromed steel and mirror glass backgammon games table, circa 1975. Sleek, minimalist design exudes immaculate craftsmanship. Gorgeous addition to any home interior...
Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Onyx Marquetry Backgammon Table by Laura Gonzalez unique piece
Located in Paris, FR
Incredible onyx marquetry table of Backgammon with green, cream and amber onyx. Cylindrical plexiglass feet with brass support. The table can be custom in various stones of marble or...
Category

2010s French William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Onyx

Previously Available Items
A Bakelite and Leather Backgammon Table by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This Backgammon table is of a very rare form and fabrication made for the former Ziegfeld Girl and actress Jean Howard. Howard began her career with Ziegfeld and was subsequently signed to MGM where she appeared in several films in the 1930s and no doubt where she met Billy Haines who was contracted at MGM during the same period of time. in 1934 she married Hollywood talent agent Charles K. Feldman and became on of Hollywoods "It" hostesses. During the 1940s and 50s she captured much of Hollywoods social...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Leather, Bakelite

Estate of Claudette Colbert Signed Billy Haines Lamp with Illume Custom Shade
By William Billy Haines
Located in New York, NY
Hailing from the estate of the movie actress Claudette Colbert, this rare and iconic table lamp was realized by the Hollywood star turned celebrated Mid Century Modern designer Billy Haines in 1948. Haines used an 18th Century Chinese incense urn...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Billy Haines Brass Slipper Chair with Mongolian Sheepskin Fur Upholstery
By William Billy Haines
Located in Saint Louis, MO
1940s neoclassical influenced brass slipper or vanity chair by Billy Haines with Pink sheepskin upholstered seat. Newly reupholstered. A glamorous Holly...
Category

1940s Hollywood Regency Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Brass

Estate of Claudette Colbert Signed Billy Haines Antique Chinese Porcelain Lamp
By William Billy Haines
Located in New York, NY
Hailing from the estate of the movie actress Claudette Colbert, this rare and iconic table lamp was realized by the Hollywood star turned celebrated Mid Century Modern designer Billy Haines, circa 1948. Haines used an 18th Century Chinese incense urn...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Iron Table with Marble Top by William "Billy" Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A fantastic iron and marble-top table by legendary Hollywood decorator and designer William "Billy" Haines. The chic modern iron table base supports the original 3/4 inch thick marbl...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Marble, Iron

Sofa by William "Billy" Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An elegant sofa designed by legendary midcentury Los Angeles designer and decorator, William "Billy" Haines. The sofa has been recently upholstered in a beautiful Oyster fabric from ...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

Sofa by William "Billy" Haines
Sofa by William "Billy" Haines
H 33 in W 99 in D 37 in
William Haines Leather Clad Table Lamp
By William Billy Haines
Located in Chicago, IL
American 1940s leather-clad table lamp by William "Billy" Haines.
Category

1940s American Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Leather

Biscuit Tufted Slipper Chair by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A beautiful biscuit tufted slipper chair by William Haines, upholstered in pale teal silk velvet. The unicorn legs and back of the seat are unusual, in that they are done in a dark t...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Upholstery

Parchment Cocktail Table with Rawhide Top Stitching by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A remarkable parchment cocktail table with rawhide top stitching designed by William Haines for the library of late actress Ann Rutherford Dozier in 1942. The table top is accented w...
Category

1940s American Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Parchment Paper

Sofa with Integrated Parchment Side Tables by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This chic upholstered sofa with integrated parchment side tables was designed by William Haines for the home library of Anne Rutherford in 1942. It was originally placed with the par...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Pair of Swiveling Hostess Stools by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A chic pair of hostess stool by William Haines from the Beverly Hills estate of Ann Rutherford Dozier. The stools have been reupholstered in a navy silk...
Category

1940s American Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Custom Billy Haines Occasional Table
By William Billy Haines
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed in the mid-1940s for the estate of Jean Howard and Charles K. Feldman, this sweet little table has beautiful proportions and detailing with angled l...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Furniture

Materials

Wood

William Billy Haines furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

William Billy Haines furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of William Billy Haines furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by William Billy Haines were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Nancy Corzine, Dan Johnson, and Phyllis Morris. Prices for William Billy Haines furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,500 and can go as high as $26,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $9,650.

Recently Viewed

View All