Maxed up mini-flat

THREE years ago, clinical psychologist Viviane Dubos bought a penthouse apartment in Joo Chiat simply by looking at the floor plans. "It looked good on paper," says Ms Dubos. The French expatriate moved to Singapore in 2003.

"But when I got the keys, I was shocked," she says. The 136 sq m apartment was tinier than expected. "It was more like a shoebox apartment than a penthouse," she says.

Feeling very disappointed, Ms Dubos considered selling the apartment, but because she liked Joo Chiat so much, she decide…