When architects Olivier Lekien and Mathilde Nicoulaud went on the hunt for a new home in Paris that would accommodate their growing family, they set their sights on areas outside the city’s hustle and bustle. “We wanted to stay in Paris for our work, but we also wanted a peaceful cocoon that felt like it was in the countryside,” says Olivier.

Before: Architects Olivier Lekien and Mathilde Nicoulaud purchased a small cottage in the Parisian suburb of Montreil and set about renovating it with a budget of €65K.
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The eastern suburb of Montreuil, a short bicycle ride from Paris proper, is full of small, cottage-like houses that give it the feeling of a quaint village—exactly the kind of place Olivier and Mathilde were looking for.

They searched the area high and low and eventually discovered a 753-square-foot house built in 1930 that seemed promising. Accented by periwinkle-painted shutters and doors and a bright yellow door frame, the exterior was lively, but the interior was dark, cramped, and cold. “The house was not so well built,” Olivier recalls.

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Despite its obvious shortcomings, the architects saw the potential to make the old house their new home. Mathilde, pregnant with their son, envisioned recreating the rooms as tranquil spaces saturated with natural light. They purchased the property, and with a budget of about €65K, got to work transforming it into the family home of their dreams.

“The goal was to open it up as much as possible,” says Olivier. “We changed almost everything.” They added windows, an extension with a living/dining area, and insulation. They removed walls, replaced flooring, and implemented a palette of bright white and soft green punctuated with loads of texture and as many plants as possible.

Olivier and Mathilde splurged on glazing, spending €8,863 for two new massive windows for the facade, and enlarging the kitchen with a 32-square-foot glass extension that harnesses sunlight from the adjacent courtyard. They spent €4,642 on flooring, installing oak in the living and dining rooms, and Tarkett Crocodile green linoleum in the kitchen.

€8,177 Structural Work	€13,841 Wall Finishes	€4,642 Flooring
€10,581 Electrical	€6,220 Plumbing & Bath Fixtures	€4,494 Kitchen
€1,240 Lighting	€850 Cabinetry	€8,863 Windows
€2,956 Millwork	€3,188 Demolition	€536 Waste Removal
Grand Total: €65,588 (about $69,160)

“We wanted to create continuity between the interior and the planted courtyard,” says Olivier. The architects selected oak for the kitchen cabinetry and pinkish-beige Moroccan tile for the backsplash. “The tile has a handmade effect, and we love oak because it’s light and timeless,” says Olivier.

When it came to saving money, the architects relied on reclaimed materials and professional contacts. “We recycled materials from all my construction sites, and because we’re architects, we work with a lot of companies and they know us,” says Olivier. “This allowed us to stay within our budget.” Some of the materials the couple salvaged include tile for the bathroom and Corian counters for the kitchen.

Olivier and Mathilde began their remodel in April of 2024 and completed the project in June of 2024, just three months after their son, Nino, was born. “We don’t have a huge garden or a mountain view, but the plants inside and out create a peaceful, natural environment,” says Olivier. He enjoys sitting with Nino and watching the golden sunlight and shadows wash over the various plants. “The glass extension off of the kitchen is the best place to take coffee when there’s sun,” he adds. “Plants, sun, and coffee—what else does one need?”

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1960s A-Frame Gets a $558K Refresh—and Historic Landmark Status

Inside a $117K Extreme Off-Grid Cabin in the Patagonian Forest

Project Credits:

Architecture & Interior Design: Mathilde Nicoulaud & Olivier Lekien, Atelier OLK / @atelier_olk_architecte

Construction: Triada