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.
William Billy Haines Biscuit Tufted Ledge Back Sofa
By William Billy Haines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional 122" long biscuit-tufted, ledge-back sofa by iconic mid-century designer William “Billy” Haines. Upholstered in high-grade velvet, the sofa is both luxurious and remar...
Wrought Iron
A Two Cushion Sofa on Runner Legs, William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This collection presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Los Angeles design history. The house, originally designed by Paul Williams in 1933 was given the Haines touch when his clients a young family of five...
Fabric, Walnut
$13,604
H 32.29 in W 62.6 in D 38.98 in
LOVELY HOWARD & SON'S / CHAIRS LTD TWO SEAT SOFA FEATHER FILLED SEAT CUSHIONs
By Howard and Sons, Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd.
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super comfortable Howard & Son's / Howard Chairs LTD sofa with the inside back left leg stamped Please...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Hudson Sofa Loose Seat Cushions, Box Legs
Located in Ridgewood, NY
Simple, clean lines and balanced proportions define this sofa. Dual back cushions compliment the single, long seat cushion in this modern remix of a Classic ...
Upholstery, Wood
Classic luxurious tufted curved back sofa, C 1940.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Classic luxurious tufted curved back sofa, C !940. The shapely design feels modern with traditional button-tufting overs three deep seats over short turned and fluted wooden legs. Re...
Upholstery, Wood
Velour Two-Seater Sofa with Solid Wood Legs, Europe ca 1950s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The designer of this sofa evidently attached great and equal importance to form and function. With an open design profile, this two-seater sofa carries with it some of the fundamental characteristics and ideals of mid-century modernism. Clutter-free and disciplined, this low sitting sofa...
Fabric, Wood
Edward Ferrell Tufted Back Sofa Damask Sofa
By Edward Farrell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A beautifully tufted quality built bow back sofa by Edward Ferrell. The Sofa with elegant lines, tufted back and refined pale Champagne Damask style fabric. With Edward Ferrell label...
Fabric, Wood
Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley on Brass Legs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Fully restored in beautiful fog grey mohair over polished brass legs. Sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s.
Brass
$4,800
H 30 in W 64.5 in D 30 in
Danish Midcentury Sofa Two-Tone Wool with Teak Legs and Wood Accents 1950s
By Kurt Olsen
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Very Classic and ultra cool Danish three-seat sofa epitomizing the 1950s and reminiscent of Kurt Olsen's design style. Built on a sturdy beech wood frame and raised on solid teak leg...
Wool, Teak
Thomas Pheasant for Baker Furniture Tufted Camel Back Sofa
By Baker Furniture Company, Thomas Pheasant
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Thomas Pheasant for Baker Furniture Tufted Camel Back Sofa This sofa measures: 95 wide x 33 deep x 34.75 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height of 24.5 inches We take...
Upholstery
$3,250 / set
H 30 in W 31 in D 26 in
Sculptural Billy Haines Style Barrel Back Lounge Chairs Mid-Century Modern, Pair
By William Billy Haines
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Lovely pair of sculptural Billy Haines style barrel back lounge chairs. Upholstery is clean but is dated-reupholstery is recommended.
Brass
$2,430
H 34 in W 21.25 in D 21 in
Set of 4 William Billy Haines Style Dining or Game Chairs - Modern Cabriole legs
By William Billy Haines
Located in St. Louis, MO
Set of four William Billy Haines style dining or game table chairs with sculpted modern cabriole legs and tufted faux green leather backs. The backside of the chair has nice inset ma...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Mid Century Modern Elongated Curved Back 90" Sofa on Pencil Legs
Located in Wilmington, DE
Mid-Century Elongated Curved Back 90" Sofa on Pencil Legs Offered is an unrestored mid-century modern sofa. This sofa is very cool and has nice lines. Featuring a low height 28", this sofa is both low and long. The height changes at the arms, which reveal a stylish cut in the lines-see pictures. The Walnut Pencil Legs add to over overall look. The sofa needs to be reupholstered but it is overall structurally sound. Has some slight scratches on the legs. The upholstery has staining and fading and some tears. Cushion are removeable. It is signed...
Fabric
Modern Two-Cushion Sofa with Tapered Walnut Legs, Custom
Located in Greenwich, CT
Modern two-cushion sofa with clean lines and gently angled arms. The example shown is upholstered in deep blue velvet with light blue trim, highlighting the tailored silhouette and s...
Velvet, Polyester, Poplar, Walnut
A Quilted Chaise/Sofa designed by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This William Haines designed chaise/sofa is a classic example of Haines' design genius. A relatively simple form Haines would very often embellish the shapes by using a custom quilt...
Textile, Wood
Sold
H 33 in W 73 in D 35 in
Mid-Century Modern Channel Tufted Sofa by Billy Haines in Cream Bouclé Fabric
By William Billy Haines
Located in New York, NY
Designed by Billy Haines in the 1950s, this sofa exemplifies the "restrained modernism" for which Haines is renowned. Sitting on conical legs in ebonized walnut, this elegant sofa fe...
Bouclé, Walnut
Beautiful Biscuit Tufted Ledge Back Sofa by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A classic example of the work of William Haines this sofa is extra long. All the important Haines details are present, the deep biscuit tufts, the ledge back, the radius front corner...
Fabric, Hardwood
Custom Loose Cushion Sofa Designed by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A beautiful custom three cushion sofa designed by William Haines for Sunnylands, the winter residence of Leonore & Walter Annenberg in Rancho Mirage, ...
Wood, Upholstery
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 ...
Upholstery, Wood
Custom Quilted Sofa by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A chic custom designed sofa by William Haines, designed for the Beverly Hills home of Dr. Herbert and Mrs. Rita LeRoy Roedling. It has been newly upholstered in a beautiful graphite ...
Custom Biscuit-Tufted Sofa by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A magnificent custom biscuit-tufted sofa by William Haines. This sofa is from the estate of 20th century Fox president, William Goetz and his wife Edie. Edie was the daughter of Louis...
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...
Custom Biscuit-Tufted Sofa by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A magnificent custom biscuit-tufted sofa by William Haines. This sofa is from the estate of Twentieth Century Fox president, William Goetz and his wife Edie. Edie was the daughter of Louis...
Custom Loose Cushion Sofa Designed by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A beautiful custom three cushion sofa designed by William Haines for Sunnylands, the winter residence of Leonore & Walter Annenberg in Rancho Mirage, ...
Wood
Large and Impressive Sofa by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A handsome sofa by William Haines from the estate of Ann Rutherford Dozier. The sofa has been reupholstered in a Holland & Sherry linen/silk blend fabric that's been quilted in one o...
Feathers
Two-Piece Sectional Sofa by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A two-piece sectional sofa by William Haines from the estate of Ann Rutherford that features modernist iron frames and Sunbrella upholstery. Can be used either indoors or outdoors. ...