A Life Anchored in Intention: Hanne Devreese at Home on Vancouver Island
"The Quiet Beauty of Home” is a conversation series that explores the soul of a space. Where beauty is rooted in meaning, and design is guided by values, not trends. Each interview offers a glimpse into how someone creates, lives in, and cares for their home with intention. We hope these stories inspire you to slow down, look closer to notice what matters, and honor the quiet details that make a space feel truly yours.
Tucked between the forest and the sea on Vancouver Island’s rugged coast, interior designer Hanne Devreese has crafted a home that feels peaceful & grounded, reflecting her European heritage and her love for the natural rhythm of the Pacific Northwest. Within its calm, light-filled spaces, layers of texture and meaning unfold. We see how Belgian sensibility meets West Coast ease, and every detail speaks to her philosophy of living with intention, nourishment, and authenticity.
We can’t wait for you to discover more of Hanne’s world and to feel inspired to bring a little more intention and beauty into your own home.
H&G- Can you share a little about yourself — what you do, where you live, and what
“home” looks like for you right now?
My name is Hanne (pronounced as ‘Hanna’), I am an Interior Designer based in coastal
Victoria, British Columbia, on Vancouver Island, Canada. I live with my husband Niels
and our two boys, Willow and Anders, in a home tucked away and surrounded by green,
steps away from the ocean and the city.
I grew up on a farm in the countryside of Belgium, minutes away from France. Later,
during my adulthood years, I lived for eight years in the ever-inspiring city of Antwerp,
Belgium, where my husband is originally from.
Inspired by living near the ocean in Victoria, I followed my childhood dream and
established Hanne by Design a few years ago. Hanne by Design is an ode to beautiful
living, by creating thoughtfully considered and timeless interiors that elevate the day-to-day life experience of my clients. My work is heavily influenced by the natural beauty of
the Pacific Northwest and my European roots.
H&G- How would you describe the feeling of your home? What aesthetic or atmosphere inspires the space you’ve created?
Having immigrated and now living across the ocean in a different culture, a home where
you feel right at home is very important to me. Our home was created from a desire to
arrive in a rejuvenating haven, evoking a sense of calm.
While embracing the natural light, the home is thoughtfully designed with custom
millwork and furniture, the interiors are layered with tactile materials, rich textures, and
mindfully curated objects from local makers and travels abroad, each telling a story.
Rooted in European design, the space flows in harmony with the West Coast
surroundings, creating a sense of relaxed refinement.
This home is designed to embrace slow living - hosting loved ones al fresco in the
garden, a space to recharge, a reference point for finding inspiration to design creative
work, cooking homemade meals, and cultivating meaningful moments and family
traditions.
H&G- If you had to name three core values that guide the way you live, what
would they be? Why do those values matter to you?
Three values that guide my life are intentionality, nourishment, and authenticity.
Intentionality shapes how I approach both life and design. From the objects I bring into
my home to the way I structure daily routines, every choice is considered for its
meaning and purpose. Nourishment reflects my focus on creating spaces, experiences,
and practices that feed body, mind, and soul, whether it’s hosting a meal al fresco in the
garden, a hot soak in our cedar hot tub, or shaping a home that supports connection
and well-being. Authenticity is at the heart of everything I do, both at home and for my
work. It ensures that every home I design is a true reflection of the clients who live in the
space, fostering honesty, comfort, and a sense of belonging.
H&G- How do those values show up in your home? Are there small decisions, habits, or rituals that help bring them to life in your space?
These values show up in both the details and daily rhythms of our home. Intentionality
guides how we curate our space; each belonging is chosen for meaning, quality, and
harmony. Nourishment is present in everyday rituals, having seasonal meals as a family
at the table, spending time in the garden, or enjoying quiet moments in the living room.
Authenticity comes through in the objects we keep, like handcrafted objects from local
makers, vintage and antique finds from our travels around the world that carry stories.
H&G- Is there a daily ritual or moment in your home that brings you peace,
inspiration, or a sense of rhythm?
I love starting my day with a morning walk through the forest after dropping off my kids
at school; it’s a quiet, grounding way to begin the day. At any time of the day, a hot soak in our cedar tub brings a sense of calm and restoration. I also treasure moments with a cup of hot tea, whether in the garden or inside our home, quietly watching the sunlight shift throughout the seasons. These simple rituals bring rhythm, inspiration, and a deep sense of peace to my day.
H&G - What does “home” mean to you, beyond four walls?
Why is it such a meaningful part of your life?
Home is belonging. It is the place where I feel safe, nurtured, and inspired. It is also
where my values are lived out through how we spend our days, the meals we share,
and the objects we surround ourselves with. To me, home is not only a shelter but a
reflection of how you want to feel at home and a space to become who you are. I truly
believe a thoughtfully considered and timeless home can elevate your day-to-day mood
and life. This is one of the reasons why I started my own interior design studio.
H&G- When it comes to caring for your home, what practices feel most nourishing to you?
(Think cooking, cleaning, organizing, gardening, repairing, or anything else that feels
like devotion.)
Cooking with seasonal produce from local farmers, working in the garden, hosting
dinners al fresco, and having an organized home where all the belongings have a place.
H&G- What are some of the most meaningful objects in your home?
What stories do they carry, and how do they add soul to your space?
Some of my most meaningful pieces include a hand-built vase by my mama, who
passed away many years ago, vintage and antique objects collected during travels,
such as an antique table lamp from Puglia, a limestone rock from Italy, handmade
ceramics from local artisans, woven textiles from Peru and Chile, and a recent custom
marble bench I designed from a local quarry on the island. Each carries its own story, and together they bring a sense of soul and authenticity to my home. I believe it is these
objects, layered with memory and meaning, that truly make our space feel alive and
personal.
H&G- When you bring something new into your home, how do you decide it
belongs?
What values shape your choices when it comes to acquiring or keeping things?
We’re very intentional about what comes into our home. I prefer to buy slowly, often
from artisans, small vendors, or during our travels. Each addition is carefully considered
to ensure it feels meaningful, durable, and timeless.
H&G- How has your relationship with home changed over time? Is there a lesson your home has taught you?
I believe the best homes are never truly finished and evolve over time, just as we do as
people. Home is not about chasing trends or achieving a particular look, but about
creating a space that evokes the feelings you want to experience when you arrive at
home. It has taught me that comfort, connection, and authenticity matter, and that
allowing a space to grow and change naturally brings a deeper sense of fulfillment and
belonging.
H&G- What book, poem, or piece of writing has shaped the way you think about home or slow living? Why does it resonate with you?
I love Still - The Slow Home book by Natalie Walton. The wording and visuals are
beautiful, and the book highlights homes of people from around the world who have
embraced simplicity and the principles of slow living. It resonates with me because it
reflects the rhythm, intention, and calm I strive to cultivate in my own home and daily life.
H&G- If your home could whisper one word to describe how it holds you… What would it say?
Nurture. Our home feels like a gentle embrace, a place that restores, nourishes, and
inspires us to live fully. It is a home we are continually building, evolving, and shaping
together as a family.
For Hanne, home is more than a place. It’s a feeling of belonging, shaped by moments of connection, creativity, and calm. It’s where her values come to life and where beauty is found in the thoughtful details of everyday living. Through her studio, Hanne by Design, she continues to craft interiors that honor both story and setting and result in nurturing the people who live within them. To see more of her work and get a glimpse of her world, visit hannebydesign.com or follow along on Instagram at @hannebydesign
All photos courtesy of Hanne Devreese.