This Artist's Texas Home Journeys From Sudan to England and Beyond

Some things are hard to explain in words—like when Huda Hashim is asked where she’s from. Born in England, living in the U.S., and tracing her ancestry to Sudan, the artist and designer’s identity isn’t tied to just one place. So instead, Hashim expresses her cosmopolitan background through her home. Marble tables reminiscent of her childhood are encircled by Scandinavian seats, her own abstract paintings of Sudan decorate the walls, and mortar pestles perch atop mid-century credenzas.

Yet more than the aesthetic, it’s the feeling of Hashim’s home that stands out most—one of warmth and welcome. She sought it so often in her travels across the world. So her Plano, Texas home—which she shares with her husband and two toddlers—is the answer: a refuge for all, ready to make guests feel at ease. Ahead, Hashim shares more about her favorite rooms, nostalgic dining table, and international design approach.

How did you first discover your home? What about it appealed to you?

It was 2020 and the peak of the pandemic. I was eight months pregnant and we were relocating back to Dallas from Oklahoma City for my husband's job—also to be closer to family. Our home was listed on the market for 20 minutes and the second I saw the spacious backyard, I knew we needed this home. It was our first time putting in an offer and it was accepted! 

What was your approach to decorating your home?

My style is steeped in the art of cultural storytelling. As a young girl, I differentiated the country I was in based on its architectural style. I knew I was in Sudan when I saw the flat-roofed, dry clay or plaster homes. And I knew I was in the UK when I saw the pitched roofs and symmetry.  As I grew older, my fascination with design styles based on my travels, experiences, and the people living in them led me to continue my education with a master’s degree in Design and 3D Visualization.

My personal story as a third-culture child—born in Liverpool, England; living in the U.S.; and originating from Khartoum, Sudan—defines my decision to focus on elevated, unique, and timeless designs. I have grown to be highly adaptive to my surroundings and feel at home anywhere and everywhere—hence, my brand is called “Manzili” which translates to “my home” in Arabic. 

Who or what are your biggest design inspirations?

I draw a lot of inspiration from my travels and stories shared by people around the world. I am an abstract artist as well so, by mastering the idea of telling a story in abstract form, I am able to do the same in design. For example, my current art studio is inspired by the architecture of the University of Khartoum built in 1902. The checkered floors are mirrored in the checkered rug I have in the room, the warm tones resemble the hallways after a sandstorm, and the walls are filled with vintage frames just like in the library.

How does your heritage inform your style? What elements from it do you incorporate in your home?

When someone would ask me where I am from or “What are you?”, my initial response is “Do you want the short answer or the long one!” This is where my struggle of communicating my heritage turned into describing my heritage through materials, textures, furniture, and design.

Sudanese people are known for their hospitality, a sort of “open-door policy” where anyone can come in and you are immediately greeted with a cup of tea. So an open-concept home was essential—plus, the use of natural materials as they do back home. An important aspect is smell as well! My home smells like sandalwood and oud incense the majority of the time.

Any other cultures you take design notes from?

I was born in the UK, so I love mixing European with African themes. As you can see in my dining room, I have a table imported from Europe paired with one of my most valuable African paintings “Path to Light” that highlights the beauty of the Sudanese people walking in unison for peace. The beauty in the mixing of cultures creates a juxtaposition of styles in the most balanced form. 

What were the greatest finds in your home? Can you share a story behind any of them?

My 1970s marble dining table imported from Europe brings back memories from my summer vacation in Sudan as a six-year-old where at dinner time, I refused to sit with my family and wanted to sit outside and eat with the house helpers. They had a red marble table similar to this one—but shorter to the ground called a “tabliya”—with a large tray filled with plates of food that they gathered and sat around. They told me stories and made me laugh, so I can't help but smile every time I walk past it.

What is your favorite design feature or room? What makes it unique?

My favorite design feature in the house is the lighting! Lighting with high ceilings makes our space feel so grand and open. The main living area has floor-to-ceiling windows offering a beautiful outdoor view of the pool and garden, so it always feels like we are in a little oasis.

Where in your home do you spend the most time and what are you usually doing there?

If I am not playing with the kids in the game room or cooking, most of my time is spent in my studio. Whether I am painting, working on 3D visualizations, or responding to emails. It is the space that I have created where my mind is the most clear and inspired! It is my little “mom cave.”

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