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.
Pair of William Haines Chinese Urn Table Lamps, Estate of Kirk Douglas, 1960s
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This elegant pair of Chinese inspired table lamps was designed by legendary Hollywood decorator William Haines, dating to the 1960s, and sourced from the estate of iconic actor Kirk ...
Porcelain, Wood
Pair of Custom Billy Haines Lamps from the Ted Graber Estate, circa 1960s
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An exceptional and rare pair of custom table lamps designed by legendary Hollywood decorator William "Billy" Haines, created for the estate of Ted Graber—Haines’ protégé and success...
Metal
Pair of Design Glass Table Lamps, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Czechoslovakia, 1960s - Perfect original condition.
Brass
Pair of Swedish Table Lamps, 1960s
By Paavo Tynell
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pair of table lamps. walnut and elm, produced i Sweden, 1960s. Good condition. New lamp shades.
Brass
Pair of Swedish Bergboms B-10 Marble Table Lamps, circa 1960s
By Bergboms
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Swedish table lamps in white carrara marble produced by Bergboms, Sweden, Model B-10, circa 1960s. Solid turned marble with three lower bands, re wired for the US. New shad...
Carrara Marble
$620Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 21.26 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Vintage Poul Henningsen 4/3 Table Lamp from the 1960s
By Poul Henningsen
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage Poul Henningsen 4/3 table lamp for Louis Poulsen This is an early PH 4/3 table lamp with a bakelite E27 bulb holder. In great condition with age related wear and patina on th...
Chrome, Steel, Aluminum
Italian Sergio Mazza table lamp from the 1960s
By Sergio Mazza
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Table lamp from the 1950s by Italian designer Sergio Mazza. Solid nickel-plated brass base, frosted glass shade with the designer's signature ribbed pattern. In good vintage conditio...
Brass
$2,850 / set
H 34 in Dm 13 in
Pair Japanese 19th c. Ceramic Martaban Jar Lamps, Billy Haines Attributed
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an unusual pair of lamps that have been created with antique 19th century Japanese storage jars and are attributed to Billy Haines. The ru...
Brass
Billy Haines Style Silverplate Candlestick Lamp
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Regency style silverplate lamp with tall foliate and ribbed column, tripod paw feet on concave-shaped base .
Silver Plate
Pair of Big Table Lamps, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made in Czechoslovakia Made of glass, brass, plastic Re-polished Fully functional Original condition.
Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Table Lamps, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Made in Czechoslovakia - Made of plastic, glass - Re-polished - Fully functional - Very good original condition. - US plug adapter included.
Glass, Plastic
Pair of Arlus Table Lamps, France, 1960s
By Arlus
Located in New York, NY
Elegant pair of tripod bronze table lamps by Arlus finished in a combination of gold and gunmetal patinas. Presented here with their original glass...
Bronze
$280Sale Price|56% Off
H 22.84 in Dm 11.82 in
Danish Vintage Retro Porcelain Table Lamp from the 1960s
Located in Søborg, DK
Vintage porcelain table lamp from the 1960s This retro table lamp has great proportions and a striking color. Rewired and ready to use. C...
Pottery
$1,442 / set
H 21.26 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
Pair of Rare Hand Carved Wooden Table Lamps from Temde, Switzerland, 1960s
By Temde Leuchten
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Pair of rare wooden table lamps from Temde, Switzerland 1960s . Hand carved in Honduras, made in Switzerland. The lamp with the shade shown here is 73cm high, the lamp base al...
Wood
Sold
H 31 in W 10 in D 9 in
A Pair of White Painted Armature Lamps with Terracotta Figures 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 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. These lamps, originally used in the sitting room of the primary suite is a fine example of Haines versatility using this unique approach to lighting. So often Chinese articles...
Metal
An Armature Lamp featuring a Rearing Horse 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 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 lamp using a classic Haines armature...
Metal, Spelter
A Quan Yin Armature Lamp 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...
Metal
Sold
H 27 in W 11 in D 8.5 in
Vintage Pair of William Billy Haines Carved Wooden Horse Head Lamps with Shades
By William Billy Haines
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of William Billy Haines carved horse head lamps. This is a unique and stunning pair for of lamps that can complement a variety of different styles. From midcentury to modern, to...
Wood
Sold
H 34.5 in W 9 in D 6 in
William Billy Haines Cast Metal with Pompeian Bronze Table Lamp Pair, 1950s
By William Billy Haines
Located in Brooklyn, NY
William Billy Haines Cast Metal with Pompeian Bronze table lamp pair, 1950s. Shades are NOT included. Haines included this design in a few of ...
Metal
William Haines Carved Horse Lamps with Shades
By William Billy Haines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of William Billy Haines carved horse head lamps, a stunning pair for the modern or traditional home and especially those who enjoy equestrian - a bold statement. Firmly attri...
Silk, Wood, Oak
Custom Lamp Utilizing a Korean Urn by Billy Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This urn lamp has an elegant floral motif and is situated on a 3 inch wooden base. Seemingly oversized it is a Haines signature treatment. It is a custom piece by Billy Haines and ca...
Wood, Ceramic, Linen
Lucite Table Lamp by Billy Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This Billy Haines table lamp features a prominent 17.5" H X 5" squared block of bevelled lucite. The base is wooden and painted black. The new custom shade is a black silk overlaid w...
Brass
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...
Bronze
Pair of Table Lamps Featuring Chinese Monkeys Designed by Billy Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A unique and rare pair of painted metal lamps, both base and shades. These lamps are from the estate of Tony Duquette and still retain their Christies lot stickers. As seen in image ...
Metal
William Billy Haines Pompeian Bronze Lamp
By William Billy Haines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast metal with Pompeian bronze original finial and hardware black lacquered wood base works fine no shade great for any interior
Metal
Custom Table Lamp by William Haines - payment 2
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A pretty Chinese porcelain brush pot, with a painted scene depicting a woman riding a deer, converted to a custom table lamp by designer Wi...
Porcelain, Silk, Wood