Billie Haines Designer, Actor

Lamps by Billy Haines

William (Billie) Haines born January 2, 2012-December 26, 1973 was an actor in the early movies to the 1930's and later became an interior designer.

  He was born in Staunton VA. and ran away at age 14 with a boy friend to Hopewell VA an area at that time was known for it's immorality. ( This little bit of information amazed us as Hopewell is a small town that we pass through going other places, but it was a boom town over night in 1914 due to the establishment of the largest guncotton mill in the world at that time.)

Sconces by Billy Haines

He left his acting career, because he refused to deny that he was Gay. So much better for the world of design.  He and his life time pardner Jimmy Shields embarked on their new dual careers of both antique dealers and designers. They designed for all of Hollywood's Royalty. They were modern before modernism, and decorative at the same time.  They epitomized the old Hollywood Glamor. They have come back into style with Hollywood Regency, although Hollywood Regency never obtained the purity and classic style of their designs.  His designs are still produced today.