Small Apartment Ideas: Mirrors and Bold Colours Make This 743-Square-Foot Home Look Like Ettore Sottsass’ Playground

How does a family of five thrive in a tiny 743-square-foot home? Cue an array of clever decor tricks and fun, but practical, small apartment ideas that not only maximise the space, but also give it a vibrant personality. The result? A decor scheme that recalls the irreverent style of Memphis maestro Ettore Sottsass and takes away the focus from the apartment’s tiny footprint.

Living in Saint-Ouen, a suburb just outside Paris, felt like a natural choice for architect Hugo Vince, and his wife, artist and painter Caroline Derveaux. Their home sits in the heart of the Saint-Ouen flea market – one of the world’s leading art and antique markets, spanning 17 acres and hosting nearly 2,000 antique dealers. “When we began our relationship, after 17 years of friendship, it felt natural for us to look for a place in Saint-Ouen where we could build a new home – a place to create our family and stimulate our creativity and imagination,” says Derveaux. “For us, the antique market district is a source of inspiration and incredible encounters. We love wandering around on Saturday mornings when the market opens and no one’s around.” Vince, co-owner of the architecture practice Atelier HA, and his partner in the firm, Adèle Nourry, have been walking the aisles of the flea market for their clients for many years, so Vince had always dreamed of living in Saint-Ouen too.

Artist Caroline Derveaux (left) and architect Hugo Vince in their Saint-Ouen home.

In July 2022, Vince and Derveaux had been living in their dream neighbourhood for three years when an opportunity came up to move into a (slightly) larger unit in the building next door. They jumped at the chance to expand their home and accommodate their growing family, which included the couple and their son, Laszlo; their twins, Cléo and Calypso, would be born the following year. Beyond their love for Saint-Ouen, what initially drew the pair to their new home was the light. “Having natural light all day long is a real luxury in a city like Paris,” Derveaux says. The light became the guiding force behind their design choices, allowing them to reflect their vision of life, which they describe as creative, joyful, and bright. “For us, this flat is much more than just a place to live,” adds Vince. “It’s also a way of quietly educating our children in the joie de vivre that we hold so dear.” That, and a handful of tried and tested small apartment ideas created a fun, colourful home that belies its tiny footprint.