This Family of Four Proves That 645 Square Feet Can Feel Surprisingly Spacious
“I usually start with one strong element. It can be a color or a detail, and then everything grows from there,” begins Fanny Petit, a creative art director who helps brands with their visual identity.
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In the 645-square-foot Paris apartment (built in — and not updated since — the 1970s) she purchased with her husband seven years ago, that starting point was an unwanted element they decided to trash: a garbage chute smack dab in the middle of the main living space.
That former chute location became the kick-off point for the colorful home’s entire look after Fanny chose to tile the column in three colors, which in turn inspired her to transform the all-white kitchen into an all-pink one.
The tiled column and pink kitchen are the heart of the home and perfectly mirror Fanny’s style: colorful, a bit unexpected, but also playful. And they represent some of her philosophies about color that extend throughout the rest of the apartment, which is also home to kids, 2-year-old Michelle and 6-year-old Marcel.
“I need color in my environment,” admits Fanny, who also needs it to feel “intentional and structured but not overwhelming.” She tries to stick to three colors in any one room in order to have a vibrant space but also a peaceful one.
Colors like pink, blue, and green in the main living area connect and contrast with the primary bedroom’s color palette of pink, yellow, and chocolate. The kids’ shared room features pink, light blue, and green. All rooms are distinct, yet connected stylistically. It’s become an incredibly personal, inspiring space.
“When I walk into my home, I feel like myself. It’s a safe place for me, and it’s very comforting. This home is unique because it looks like me, and it’s quite different from what people are used to. I think home is a place of sharing, but also a place where you can truly be yourself,” Fanny writes.
“I care about how my home looks, but what matters most to me is how it feels. It’s very important for my home not to be perfect. It’s always evolving, and we have to keep that in mind. A happy home is not a perfect home.”
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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