Actress and activist Kristin Davis recently picked up this modern villa in Brentwood for $5.3 million. Public records indicate that the house was on and off the market for about twenty months, and asked well north of $6.5 million before being reduced to $5.9 million early this year.

The modern Mediterranean style can be a graceful one, merging the clean, strident lines and open spaces of the one with the softening embellishments of the other. Ms. Davis’ new property, which dates to the mid-1980’s, with more recent renovations evident—manages to do just that. The prominent barrel ceilings that crown the kitchen and dayroom are pleasingly gentle, a nice contrast to the repetitive box forms visible in every room. The terra-cotta tile and custom maple cabinetry used throughout both warm up the home considerably, giving it a little romance, while plenty of retractable glass provides modern-style interior/exterior flow.

Otherwise, the interiors are very clean and fairly circumspect, with abundant reflected light and a nice sense of proportion. It’s an ebullient home with a restrained interior style, and a solid choice for an investment property or a main residence.

The lot extends to a little more than six-tenths of an acre, but manages to pack in a great deal of privacy via artful landscaping, as well as a pool and sunlounge, a covered patio, a second-floor terrace, and a strip of lawn in front.

Davis is a Global Ambassador for Oxfam.