ELLE Cover: Gwyneth Paltrow

Natural Instincts

By ELLE

Organic to the core, Paltrow lounged on vintage furniture while being draped in cozy designs by Isabel Marant, Julien Macdonald and Christopher Kane.

FROM ELLE: Check out the full cover story on ELLE

Sunny Side Up

On deciding to take on more upbeat roles: "I'm sick of doing the crying-in-my-soup part. I want to laugh. I want to sing. The main thing is, I want to have fun.”

Solo Act

On creating a solo album: "Beyoncé and Jay—they think that I should just go do it by myself. That I should go […] in a studio and see what happens. So that's probably what I'll do."

FROM ELLE: Shop the inspiration behind the ELLE cover shoot

Family Matters

On her decision to take on smaller roles like Glee to be able to focus more on family: "I can do short jobs. If I was still starring in three movies every year, there's no way that I'd be the person my kids want when they fall down."

FROM ELLE: Gwyneth Paltrow's hairstyles - vote for her best do's

Back to Basics

Looking simply chic in a vintage Calvin Klein strapless dress, Paltrow returns to her mainstay minimalist style at the 10th anniversary dinner of the nonprofit organization Baby Buggy.

Summer Love

After watching pal Beyoncé perform in West London, Paltrow escapes the paparazzi in a chic summer ensemble.

Deliciously Dressed

Bringing brightness to the table in a simple yellow Rachel Roy dress, the actress-turned-foodie author promotes her new cookbook, My Father's Daughter.

SHOP NOW: Gwyneth Paltrow's My Father's Daughter

Golden Child

Looking absolutely statuesque, the Oscar winner wore a nude shimmery Stella McCartney dress to the 2011 Costume Institute Gala to honor the late Alexander McQueen.

FROM ELLE: America's most beautiful people

Feathered Friends

Expanding on her musical repertoire, Paltrow performed with Cee Lo Green at the 2011 Grammys.

SEARCH: See Gwyneth perform with Cee Lo at the Grammys

Tux Type

The mega-star tops off her sexy black Balmain minidress with a sleek tuxedo jacket while attending the Iron Man premiere in London.

FROM ELLE: Celebrity body transformations

Tough Lady

Gaining street cred as she promotes Iron Man 2 on Good Morning America, Mrs. Chris Martin rocks a leather jacket and booties, yet balances it out with a feminine printed blouse.

Silk Road

Paltrow looks effortless in a simple combo of a silk nude top and black shorts as she steps up to Late Show With David Letterman.

FROM ELLE DECOR: Gwyneth Paltrow's Favorite Things

Making Waves

At the 2007 Academy Awards, Paltrow graced the red carpet in a salmon-colored Zac Posen mermaid gown.