Moving from London to Manchester has enabled Becky Colley to afford a spacious canal-side apartment with vibrant nightlife on her doorstep
Feature Karen Wilson Photos Katie Lee
STYLISH APARTMENT UPDATE
Welcome to my home
A BIT ABOUT ME
I’m Becky Colley, 38, a UX Designer. You can see more of my home on my Instagram page @mymanchome.
WHERE I LIVE
My home is a two-bedroom maisonette loft apartment. It’s in a Grade II-listed Victorian merchants’ warehouse conversion. I’ve lived here since November 2020.
WHAT I WANTED TO CHANGE
I couldn’t wait to rip off the wallpaper in the living room and spare bedroom, change the awful curtains and replace the dated radiators.
HOW I MADE IT MY OWN
The kitchen’s been given a mini makeover with paint and I’ve filled the space with a mix of vintage furniture and new pieces, as well as creating an ever-evolving colourful gallery wall.
MY FAVOURITE PART
My idea of heaven is curling up in the corner of my comfy sofa with a cup of tea, my partner and his dog, and a decent film on the TV – or a good book if I’m home alone. With the window open, there’s a lovely breeze and when the hour is right, light from the canal makes dancing patterns on the ceiling.
My story
I’d previously bought a flat in Hackney with my ex, but when we split in 2017, he bought me out. This gave me a good deposit, but it wasn’t enough to buy as a single person in London. It didn’t cross my mind to move back north as I had a fantastic group of friends and loved my job. When lockdown was announced, I was staying with my parents for a weekend so got stuck in Oldham, on the edge of the Peak District, with just a handful of clothes and my work laptop. It was quite nice being home though, which planted a seed about moving back.
That summer I returned to London, but everything was closed. I realised I was paying a lot of rent without getting the benefits of the city. Since I was now working from home, I could live anywhere. Not long after, I viewed two flats in Manchester with my sister. I nearly cancelled the viewing on this one, as it was at the top of my budget. However, I’m so glad my sister persuaded me to see it because it’s so unique. I fell in love with the size and the original features like the cast-iron columns, exposed brick walls and high wooden ceilings.
After painting everything white to begin with, I’ve gradually added more colour alongside a mix of modern and vintage furniture. The kitchen has also been given a bit of a makeover and the bathroom is next for a refresh.
