COLOUR-POP CREATIVITY MEETS MID-CENTURY IN LEILA DAVIS AND FLEUR FINCH'S LIGHT-FILLED SPACE

Aspirational style that’s easy to achieve is Leila and Fleur’s vibe. Giving small space living big décor energy, their South East London flat might only measure 460 square feet, but every inch is carefully considered for maximum impact.

YVETTE STREETER

The couple, better known as Casa De Modelei on Instagram, have lived in their rented pad for over two years. And, thanks to a laid-back landlord and an impeccable eye for detail, their space looks as impressive as any owner-occupied renovation you might come across.

Leila and Fleur first met at university almost six years ago and moved in together not long after, so they are used to the restrictions that come with rented spaces. “We’ve always been limited in how much we could change our accommodation,” Fleur recalls. “Despite this, Leila managed to re-carpet her second year university room and buy loads of cute second-hand furniture and plants to style it. We took the same approach there, using greenery to add to the space and putting up our own artworks and furniture where possible.”

This gorgeous Victorian conversion in the area they grew up is the first place that’s been their own. “We were incredibly lucky and found our flat on the first day of viewings, a year after we’d made the decision to save up and move out of Fleur’s parents’ house,” shares Leila. “As soon as we walked in, we fell in love with the place, its huge windows and high ceilings and mouldings.”

The 10ft by 5ft windows help to give a sense of space to Leila and Fleur’s bijou abode, but the rest is down to clever styling. “I think we achieve the airy feel by keeping clutter to a minimum, making sure there’s space between our furniture,and using items on legs where possible, so there’s space between the furniture and the floor.”

The couple wouldn’t say they’re minimalists though – more, needs must. “We struggle to find places to store things, so we try and have items with multiple uses, intricate storage techniques, and have a one-in one-out policy.” For Leila and Fleur, it’s all about being real about the room you’re working with: “Creating an open feel in a small one-bedroom flat means not having a lot of things we’d like, in order to keep it that way.”