However, he is also known for perpetuating the arts and crafts style into the mid-20th century, particularly by his large estates at Eltham, Roe Green, Kingsbury, and Camberwell, which in turn influenced housing provision by such bodies as the London County Council. The three larger houses he designed at Loughton also follow this model.
Baines was born in Stepney, and educated at the People's Palace School and later under architect and designer Charles Robert Ashbee. He later divided his life between Clapham, St Keverne Cornwall, and Loughton, Essex, near his brother, Hubert, and sister, Ethel, where he was a keen gardener. Two of his later works were the design of a new house each for the brother and himself in Loughton.
He was found dead on Christmas Day, 25 December 1933, but the death certificate records Christmas Eve as the date of death.