Filed under: Famous Homes, Design, etc, Celebrity Homes
Love Courteney Cox's house? Her interior designer Trip Haenisch tells us about the design process -- from the "wine time" to how her home inspired an upcoming game show.After ELLE DECOR shared the photos of Courteney's home, they kindly asked if we wanted to speak to Trip as well. You bet!
Simon Upton for ELLE DECOR
How did you and Courteney meet?
I did a job for Marc Gurvitz, Jennifer Aniston's manager, and he recommended me to Courteney. She called me said "I bought this house, and I usually know what I want to do, but I can't figure this one out. Will you come talk to me?" We met and clicked right away. She's great, really the best. We'd have "wine time," where we'd come up with all these ideas and then only remember about half of them the next day. She'd say things like "This train is moving and you have to decide if you're getting on or getting off. Her energy is so frenetic it energizes me -- we always had a great time.
We hear she was really involved in the design process. What was that like?
Her next passion, after acting, is doing interiors. She loves it. And for me, it's fun to have clients who are into the process. A lot of designs say "Oh I love when I can do whatever I want,"but I can't think of anything worse. Ultimately, it's all about the person who lives in the house, so if they don't give me any feedback, it's harder.
What's your favorite part about Courteney's house?
I love the outdoor area with the galley kitchen. We have those windows that flip up and then she has her chef back there. When I go there on weekends, the widnows are up, the chef is cooking and the mojitos are flowing. There's an incredible view of the ocean and people are hovering around. I love homes where people let you in the kitchen. When the kitchen is blocked off, it makes you kind of suspicious.
Tell us about your design process.
I really don't like the look of a "decorated" home -- everything symetrical, everything so perfect throughout the house. The way I design is I'll figure out the sofas, club chairs, the larger pieces, and leave gaps. Then I'll try to go find pieces, interesting pieces, to fill in those spots. I try to expose my clients to the great furniture makers out there, see what they respond to, then try to get a good example of that person's work.
How can readers get that kind of exposure without a designer?
These days, 1stdibs can be great. You go on, see diff furniture makers, you can start educating yourself. Not only are the pieces you'll find there the most interesting ones to add to the mix -- they're pieces you love and they'll hold their value. And then there's something fun about hunting for things. In the end, when you finally get it, it's more satisfying.
What else are you upto these days?
I just finished a job for Hank Azaria and I designed a bench that's outside city hall -- it will be there forever! I love that. It's fun to do something that everyone can experience. And Courteney just hired me to do this game show called "Celebrity." She wanted the set to look like a home, so we modeled it after her house. I said "You're just doing this game show because you miss me and want another opportunity to decorate!" And I just met with someone big, but I can't tell you...
What's it like working with celebrities?
Their privacy is really important. My son's godmother was Elizabeth Taylor and I've feen how out of control the paparazzi can get. For all thse people, it's so important to have a place where they feel safe, where they can have friends over and not have to worry if their hair is right. With Courteney's place, not only is it very private, but it's clean and simple -- she wanted a place where could go in and just chill.
Love the home? See more photos then get the full story from ELLE DECOR!
Simon Upton for ELLE DECOR