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William Billy Haines Seating

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.

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Creator: William Billy Haines
Mid-Century Walnut & Pale Aquamarine Velvet Slipper Chair by Billy Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in New York, NY
This stylish and beautifully proportioned Mid-Century Modernist Slipper Chair Attributed Billy Haines originates from the United States, Circa 1950. It features a large upholstered s...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Seating

Materials

Velvet, Walnut

Sleek Sophisticated Pair of Klismos Style Chairs Attributed to Billy Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in New York, NY
Sleek and Sexy pair of Klismos style chairs by Billy Haines. This sophisticated timeless pair of chairs have been Newly reupholstered in a luxurious leather. The chairs are featur...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

William Billy Haines 122" Biscuit Tufted Ledge Back Sofa in Velvet Upholstery
By William Billy Haines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful 122" long Biscuit Tufted, ledge back sofa by Iconic Mid Century designer, William "Billy" Haines. The upholstery is in a high grade velvet and is a very comfortable is...
Category

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

Materials

Wrought Iron

Pair of Vintage Sleek Tufted Leather Klismos Chairs Designed by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Vintage Sleek Tufted Leather Klismos Chairs Designed by William Haines, circa: 1950s. Solid Brass and Brass Patina Frames that aged well, these Sleek Comfortable Chairs Styli...
Category

1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage William Billy Haines Seating

Materials

Brass

A Pair of Cobalt Blue Swiveling Tub Chairs designed by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Offered here a pair of swiveling tub chairs, sitting on a stylized Chinoiserie base. The bases are painted black. The chairs have been newly upholstered in Romo/Zinc Ocelot - Midnight Blue Z516/03 . These chairs are seldom seen on the market, with a documented pair being offered in a Christies "Innovators of 20th Century Style Auction May 2001 lot 84 page 40...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Seating

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

A Pair of Iron and Leather Benches designed by William Haines for Francis Brody
By William Billy Haines
Located in Palm Desert, CA
These benches, created by William Haines for the home of the Brody’s located in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles are a part of a collection executed in iron rod. This ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage William Billy Haines Seating

Materials

Iron

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Previously Available Items
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William “Billy” Haines Brass Campaign Tufted Leather Dining Chairs MCM
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Biscuit Tufted, Guava Colored, Curved Three Piece Sectional by William Haines
By William Billy Haines
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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. Here's a perfect example of glamorous! This sectional originally designed for a bay window in the living room consists of 3 pieces, the two end sections and a center section that is backless. It has been meticulously restored to its original appearance including the choice of color. The fabric from Romo emulates the original color perfectly. This sectional is pure Haines. Having said that in 30 years I have never run across a circular design before. The square tufting, or biscuit tufting is a steadfast Haines detail as are the walnut runner legs. The sofa can be used as a smaller two piece sofa and a curved floating ottoman...
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William “Billy” Haines Brass Campaign Tufted Raw Silk Dining Chairs, Set of 4
By William Billy Haines
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Iconic Hollywood Regency, conceived by the father of Hollywood Regency glamour—William “Billy” Haines. A rare opportunity to own a piece of Hollywood history.
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Pair Mocha Velvet Upholstered X Base Benches Billy Hains Original Mint Condition
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Pair Mocha velvet upholstered x base benches Billy Hains original mint condition.
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Pair of Seniah Chairs by Billy Haines
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Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Elbow Chairs Designed by Billy Haines
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Four William Billy Haines Brass Side Chairs with Original Tufted Upholstery
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William Billy Haines seating for sale on 1stDibs.

William Billy Haines seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of William Billy Haines seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by William Billy Haines were created in the Hollywood Regency style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Walter Lamb, Allan Gould, and Calvin. Prices for William Billy Haines seating 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 $9,800.

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