Photo by: Simon Upton for Elle Decor
"A modern barn"-
"I wanted it to look like a modern barn," actress Courteney Cox, 46, said about her mid-century Malibu home. Guest cottages, a tennis house and court, and a saltwater swimming pool also occupy the 2-acre spread, which has plenty of room for Coco, Cox's 7-year-old daughter with actor David Arquette, to run around.

The home, which had been painted a rich brown by the previous owners, was completely revamped to suit Cox's tastes. Thanks to designer Trip Haenisch and architect Michael Kovac, now it's "very simple, with bronzed-steel trim, white walls, and wood floors," Cox says. "Nothing too cluttered and not a lot of fancy details."

It looks sleek and simple, but a lot of work went into the design; in an interview with Elle Decor, Cox says she sat down with her team for three-hour planning sessions once a week, and kept an eye on every detail. As you can see in the cover photo here, it really shows: On her deck, a comfortable sofa and simple coffee table by Sutherland are paired with a teak stool and chair by Paola Lenti.

Haenischâ€"whose clients include Christina Aguilera, Hank Azaria, Cher, William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman, Edward Norton, Aaron Sorkin and John Stamosâ€"took the time to chat with Shine about what he did with Cox's fabulous home. less