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.
Leather Wrapped Cocktail Table by William Haines 1940s Custom Design
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This exceptional custom cocktail table was designed by William Haines in the 1940s for legendary Hollywood director George Cukor, and masterfully crafted by noted artisan Stergis M. ...
Gold Leaf
William Haines Modern Table with Tortoise Leather Wrapped Top and Modernist Base
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This exceptional modern table by William Haines features a refined leather-wrapped top finished in a rich tortoise stain. Clean, architectural lines define the base, which exhibits a...
Leather, Mahogany
A Pair of Neoclassical Style Consoles with Ocher Travertine Tops by Billy 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...
Travertine
Pair of Billy Haines Metal and Glass Cocktail Tables for Kirk Douglas
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This rare pair of metal and glass cocktail tables was designed by legendary Hollywood decorator Billy Haines for actor Kirk Douglas. The...
Metal
William Haines, Gemütlich, Coffee Table, United States, 1951
By William Billy Haines
Located in New York, NY
This charming occasional table clad in green "tortoiseshell" leather has a broad round top with a sloping underside and four legs. The table and legs are entirely covered in the orig...
Leather, Wood
"Gemütlich" Leather Clad Table and 4 Burgundy Brentwood Chairs by 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 purchased and moved in in 1963. Haines made appropriate changes to the structure and being at the top of his game, both the architectural changes and the custom furnishings clearly illustrate this. He discreetly added a projection room to the front of the house so that the cleverly concealed projectors made for a movie going experience in the living room. Other Haines touches abound in this, a wonderful and thoughtful interior perfectly capturing a moment in time when life was glamorous. This set still in tact consists of the "good times" table surrounded by a set of 4 chairs, a variation on the "Brentwood" chair with an all upholstered back with channel quilting and biscuit tufted seating. Because Haines had a keen eye for detail the chairs also have a wonderful "cut" in the front legs accented with black enamel. The biscuit tufting on the seats is classic while the channeling on the backs make these unique. The table top is wrapped in tooled Ocher leather and rests on a hand carved base featuring 3 dolphin...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
Modernist Mahogany Dining Table by Billy Haines, Estate of Kirk Douglas
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This exceptional modernist mahogany dining table by legendary designer Billy Haines exemplifies his distinctive blend of glamour and architectural precision. The table is crafted in ...
Mahogany
1940s vintage wooden coffee table Italian design
Located in None, IT
Walnut coffee table with curved legs and decorated top, Italian style, 1940s. CONDITION: In good condition, shows signs of wear due to age. SIZING: Height 47 cm; diameter 62 cm; M...
Wood
$33,623Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 37.8 in W 17.33 in D 19.3 in
Set of 8 Walnut & Leather Dining Chairs with Extendable Table by André Sornay
By Andre Sornay
Located in Paris, FR
An exquisite set of eight dining chairs and extendable table from the 1930s by notable french designer André Sornay, meticulously restored to their original splendor. Made out of r...
Leather, Wood, Walnut
Modern Walnut Coffee Table
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This modern walnut coffee table is made in the heart of Ohio with locally sourced wood. Each table is a hand-made mitered box from walnut v...
Walnut
Art Deco Coffee Table
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Art Deco cofee table professionally stained and repolished.
Walnut
Midcentury Italian Design Coffee Table, 1940s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury Italian design coffee table, 1940s.
Glass, Wood
Blocks Coffee Table
By Chuch Estudio
Located in Mérida, MX
The Blocks coffee table was inspired by the construction context in Mexico, a reinterpretation of an authentic multitask table by mexican workers: cast blocks and a multi-material top. These pieces are hand carved by artisans from the region in mexican stones...
Stone
Wrought iron coffee table by René Drouet, 1940s
By René Drouet
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage coffee table designed by René Drouet (1899–1993). The table has a gilded wrought iron base and a wooden and slate stone top. - Uppon request we can also change the wooden t...
Slate, Wrought Iron
$6,480 / set
H 29 in Dm 48 in
Vintage Vico Magistretti Tessera Dining Table and Calla Chairs by William Sawaya
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage Tessera Dining Table by Vico Magistretti (Artemide, 1972) featuring a circular tabletop with column-shaped support and flared base. Made of reinforced resin and refinished in a glossy, deep cranberry. The table is complemented by 4 Calla chairs...
Resin
$3,950
H 19 in W 48.5 in D 18.5 in
Architectural Tessellated Capiz Shell Cocktail Table - Haines / Dunbar Wormley
By William Billy Haines, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid-Century Tessellated Capiz Shell Cocktail Coffee Table in the manner of William Billy Haines and Wormley for Dunbar Architectural Solid Brass Structure supporting a Brass framed ...
Brass
Rectangular Mirrored Coffee Table Circa 1940s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Mid-century coffee table, having a rectangular top with faceted border and canted corners. Its scalloped apron raised on angled, tapering, square legs. All surfaces covered with orig...
Mirror, Wood
"Xilte" Coffee Table
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" coffee table is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archytypical modern f...
Hardwood
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.25 in W 65 in D 35.5 in
Large Post Modern Coffee Table with Formica Base and Textured Glass Top
By Jay Spectre, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular two tier triangular coffee table, having a glossy black Formica base, with a thick ( 1 in. ) deeply textured plate glass top. The base feat...
Glass, Laminate
Leather-Wrapped Game Table and Chairs by Billy Haines, 1960s
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A rare and exquisitely tailored leather-wrapped game table and four chairs designed by legendary Hollywood decorator Billy Haines, created circa 1960s for the Beverly Hills residence...
Brass
Sold
H 29.5 in W 42 in D 18 in
Brass Klismos Saber Leg Desk Table by William Billy Haines Walnut and Cane 1950s
By William Billy Haines
Located in Troy, MI
Remarkable and rare saber leg desk table by Hollywood legend William Billy Haines circa 1950s Walnut and brass construction with single drawer and cane...
Brass
Modernist Inlaid Cocktail Table, Designed by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This collection, purchased directly from the heirs of the estate presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Los Angeles design history. The house, originally designed by Paul Wil...
Aluminum
A Unique Yellow Leather Wrapped Side Table by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This collection, purchased directly from the heirs of the estate presents a rare opportunity to own a piece of Los Angeles design history. The house, originally designed by Paul Wil...
Leather, Wood
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...
Leather, Bakelite
A Paint Finished Cocktail Table with Glass Top by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This cocktail table is a variation on an often used Haines design. The legs are cast aluminum and fixed to wood surround that supports the glass top. The table has a signature Hain...
Aluminum
A Pair of 2-Tiered Side Tables Designed by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This collection, purchased directly from the heirs of the estate 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...
Wood
Billy Haines Iconic Faux Bamboo and Glass Table 1970
By William Billy Haines
Located in New York, NY
Rare and elegant faux bamboo table in steel and glass with brass accents by Billy Haines, American 1970. The table has beautiful lines and an impressive understated aesthetic. The...
Brass, Steel
Round Occasional Table with a Brass Inset by Billy Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This striking round table by Billy Haines is a prime example of the quality of Haines' furniture. The table top is fabricated in stone and includes a round 4" diameter inset of polis...
Cast Stone, Metal, Brass
Tortoise Leather Veneered Cocktail Table by Billy Haines
By Sturgis, William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This beautifully preserved William Haines cocktail table is from the estate of Keith McCoy, a Los Angeles Legend whose showroom represented Fortuny, Robert Crowder, and P E Guerin. I...
Leather, Wood
3 Drawer Chest on Runners with Lucite Handles by William Haines Inc
By Louis G. Sherman, William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This 3 drawer chest on runners, from the estate of Henry Bloch, boasts beautiful lucite handles and a signature Haines decorative paint finish. Made circa 1980 by Haines Inc under the direction of Ted...
Lucite, Wood
Important Mid Century Console Table by Billy Haines, USA, c 1965
By William Billy Haines
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Important Mid Century Console Table by Billy Haines, USA, c 1965 Important Caryatid Console Table by William 'Billy' Haines, USA, c 1965 A giltwood and polychrome wood, patinated met...
Granite, Metal