I see it and hear about it everywhere, the sights and sounds of a style that will never grow old to me, because it encompasses a plethora of ideas which, in the end, just want to create a joyful atmosphere. I’m talking about the Hollywood Regency Style! Think about it, why do we go to the movies? What draws us to follow the lives of actors and actresses? We simply long for entertainment, and perhaps a temporary escape from reality.
That glitz and glam can be attained! And right inside our own homes by infusing a few Hollywood Regency elements into the mix. Just be a little rebellious, retro, and risque’, and do something different than the neighbors, which is exactly what the Father of Hollywood Regency Style, William “Billy” Haines, decided to do!
Billy Haines was a popular actor in the early years of Hollywood, working for MGM Studios alongside the likes of Joan Crawford, Gloria Swanson, and George Burns. He stole hearts on playing romantic leading roles, but ultimately left the big screen to further pursue his love for interior decorating and to live with his lifelong partner and on-the-set stand-in, William Shields.
Haines was known for his lavish parties, and his non-traditional take on decorating caught the eye of many top actors of the day. He soon opened a design studio, using his acting skills to pitch to clients and to sell his unique look. And what a studio it was! Clients instantly saw what his look encompassed: lightness with color and glass walls to break up the heaviness of traditional Hollywood interiors, custom lighting solutions, simple and functional furniture designed with entertaining in mind, and various objects d’art on Lucite bases.
That glitz and glam can be attained! And right inside our own homes by infusing a few Hollywood Regency elements into the mix. Just be a little rebellious, retro, and risque’, and do something different than the neighbors, which is exactly what the Father of Hollywood Regency Style, William “Billy” Haines, decided to do!
Billy Haines was a popular actor in the early years of Hollywood, working for MGM Studios alongside the likes of Joan Crawford, Gloria Swanson, and George Burns. He stole hearts on playing romantic leading roles, but ultimately left the big screen to further pursue his love for interior decorating and to live with his lifelong partner and on-the-set stand-in, William Shields.
Haines was known for his lavish parties, and his non-traditional take on decorating caught the eye of many top actors of the day. He soon opened a design studio, using his acting skills to pitch to clients and to sell his unique look. And what a studio it was! Clients instantly saw what his look encompassed: lightness with color and glass walls to break up the heaviness of traditional Hollywood interiors, custom lighting solutions, simple and functional furniture designed with entertaining in mind, and various objects d’art on Lucite bases.
Billy’s unique studio with cork walls and pull-out brass knobs allowed him to easily display fabrics for his clients.
One of his rooms, showcasing a low-profile furniture arrangement with flexiblility and good looks, perfect for entertaining.
His popular “Pull-Up Chair” is still being faithfully replicated by Lindley Associates in Los Angeles, CA, using the original manufacturing facility! Check out more of his designs online here.
One of his most important rooms was his “Desert Living Room” for an exposition in San Francisco, CA in 1939. It was radical even for Haines, as he adopted “American Modernism” into his design solution, slowly transitioning from neo-classicism into modernism. A decade later he opened a new studio and fully adopted the new modernist aesthetic. It is this important fusion of the two styles that we refer to today as the Hollywood Regency Style. And Billy Haines was the first to do it!
Billy was a firm believer in giving a room what the residents needed, and what they felt was necessary. This movement in design gave more power to the owner and filled their needs as opposed to what was trendy at the time. Rooms began to take on a life of their own and reflected the lives of the people who lived in them. He said, “The only real freedom we have left is the Home. Only there can we express anything we want.” Truly, this man was a genius and way ahead of his time because his style is as current and groundbreaking today as it was back then.
Billy was a firm believer in giving a room what the residents needed, and what they felt was necessary. This movement in design gave more power to the owner and filled their needs as opposed to what was trendy at the time. Rooms began to take on a life of their own and reflected the lives of the people who lived in them. He said, “The only real freedom we have left is the Home. Only there can we express anything we want.” Truly, this man was a genius and way ahead of his time because his style is as current and groundbreaking today as it was back then.
After browsing 1stdibs.com, we found some great pieces in the style of Billy Haines.
From top to bottom here are the links:
1. Quotient
2. Dragonette, Ltd.
3. glo
I highly suggest checking out http://www.williamhaines.com/ for wonderful inspiration when trying to achieve the Hollywood Regency look, or pick up the 2005 Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator on Amazon here.
1. Quotient
2. Dragonette, Ltd.
3. glo
I highly suggest checking out http://www.williamhaines.com/ for wonderful inspiration when trying to achieve the Hollywood Regency look, or pick up the 2005 Class Act: William Haines Legendary Hollywood Decorator on Amazon here.
Genevieve Addison
