Home tour | A minimalist haven in Manchester

I always enjoy putting together these interview-style home tours, as I love showing real-life spaces – and finding out more about the people, stories and inspirations behind them. Today’s is a particularly special one, as it focuses on somewhere that I’ve wanted to feature for a long time: the gorgeous Manchester house of stylist Hali Mason.

Hali’s interiors are sure to inspire if, like me, you believe that decor and furnishings can have a big impact on our mental and physical wellbeing. It’s serene and sophisticated, with airy white walls, splashes of colour, and subtle textures that add depth and warmth. What’s more, she prioritises timeless appeal over changing trends, and every item – whether vintage or contemporary – has been carefully chosen for its longevity and functionality. The result is a home that’s beautifully minimalist yet also relaxed and inviting – the kind of place that you can imagine being lived in and loved for decades to come.

Over to Hali herself for more…

Hi Hali! Please can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and what you do?

“I was born in East Africa and moved to London when I was eight years old. I then moved to the North West for university and ended up settling in Manchester, where I currently live with my husband. I worked in the legal sector for about six years, until I realised that it wasn’t my passion and that I should pursue my interest in interiors and design.”

Where’s home, and how long have you lived there?

“Our home is a typical 1950s three-bedroom semi in Didsbury, a leafy suburb of Manchester. I really love the area – there are lots of nice parks, bars and independent shops. I’ve lived here for the last four years, but I moved into my current house two years ago.”

Have you made many changes since moving in?

“When we bought the house, it had been untouched for the best part of 40 years and so it needed quite a lot of TLC! We haven’t made any structural changes, but we have completely redecorated every room. My husband and I did most of the work – it was a fun process with quite a few unexpected surprises, but totally worth it (though we still have wonky walls and creaky floorboards!).”

Hali’s furniture is a wonderful mix of vintage and contemporary. A mid-century sideboard and original ‘1401’ lounge chairs by Dutch designer Wim Rietveld act as statement pieces in the living room which, like the rest of the house, has crisp white walls. The marble-based lamp is the ‘Kizu’ from New Works.

How would you describe your interiors style?

“That’s a difficult one to answer, as my style is constantly changing. At the moment I would say it’s very minimalist, considered and clean. We have a modest-sized home so I try to add space and brightness by using neutral colours – for instance all the walls are painted brilliant white. I try to introduce colour and texture with objects, fabrics and artwork – an example of this is the master bedroom, where I’ve placed a tambour screen in a corner beside the bed. It cuts through the white and can easily be rearranged in the future.

“Growing up in our family home, my parents never got rid of anything so you would find quite a lot of knick-knacks around the house. I prefer having a “less is more” approach, as that way you can see and appreciate all your favourite objects. I’m also a big believer in investing in quality pieces for your home – items that are timeless and that you could keep forever. I usually consider longevity with the objects I buy, such as lamps and chairs. I always try to find pieces I believe will last a lifetime, rather than following a current trend.”

A tambour screen, rattan headboard and woven daybed add texture and interest to the master bedroom. The bedside lights are the ‘IC’ table lamps by Michael Anastassiades for Flos – one of Hali’s all-time favourite designs. 

What does home mean to you?

“Home for me is all about having a place where you can relax. It should evoke a sense of peace and tranquility. I suffered from terrible anxiety in my last job – litigation was a high-pressure environment that affected my sleep and day-to-day life in general. During that period I lived in rented accommodation, but I slowly started minimising the space and it helped with my mental health massively.”

Where do you find inspiration for your home?

“The main sources are the design events that I regularly attend, which include Milan Design Week, Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design and the Stockholm Furniture Fair among others. My top two have got to be Milan and Copenhagen. I usually come home full of new ideas and with tons of inspiration.

“Apart from this, I enjoy flicking through design magazines such as My Residence and Apartamento. What I love about these publications is that they feature real homes and real people rather than staged interiors, so you get an authentic feel for the spaces. I also like saving ideas on Pinterest and Instagram.”

Hali uses the dining-room shelves to showcase treasured objects, including an Alvar Aalto vase from Iittala and ceramics by DBKD and Muubs. The lamp in the corner is the ‘Carl-Johan’ from Olsson & Jensen, and the pitcher on the table is the ‘Pleat’ design from New Works.

What’s your favourite part of your home and why?

“My dining room. I spend a lot of time in there with my husband. We love sitting there after meals, listening to records and having long conversations. I also have my shelving unit in there, where I display favourite objects that I enjoy looking at.”

How about your favourite piece of furniture or accessory?

“Mmm good question! I was lucky to stumble across an exquisite pair of ‘1401’ lounge chairs by Wim Rietveld for Gispen, which I never get tired of admiring. The frame of each chair is black-enamelled steel and I believe they’re in their original orange-wool upholstery. They were first shown at the 10th Milan Triennale in 1954 and were awarded a gold medal.

“I should add that I’m also lighting-mad and have a couple of ‘IC’ table lamps by my absolute favourite minimalist designer, Michael Anastassiades, for Flos. I think they might be the most beautiful lamps ever created!”

Hali has a love of high-quality lighting, including the distinctive hand-folded shades of Danish company Le Klint, shown here in her bathroom. 

Where do you like to source items for your home – any favourite brands or shops?

“Like I said previously, I’m a lighting addict so some of my favourite brands are Flos, Le Klint and Artemide. I mainly source online from sites such as Trouva, Nunido and Royal Design. I also like to shop in second-hand stores for vintage pieces and at local boutiques such as Moth, where I bought my favourite HK Living side table.”

Do you have any future plans for your home?

“I’m forever updating my interiors so I suspect there will be quite a few changes this year. Other than that, the only room we’d like to finish decorating is our kitchen. I also need to buy some garden furniture!”

Like the rest of Hali’s home, the guest bedroom is a calming sanctuary decorated in soft whites and beiges. A circular mirror and a simple panel above the bed create sophisticated focal points.

Finally, what’s your top interior-design tip?

“My number one tip would be to carefully consider every object before you purchase. Think about the space it will live in, the quality and its functionality. Buy for the future and don’t fall into the trap of a false economy.”

Great advice to end on – thanks Hali!

See more of Hali’s beautiful home, styling and photography over on Instagram.

All images by Hali Mason