Elevating Montana Design: The Vision of Jessica Hannesson

From her roots in small-town Montana to leading one of the region’s most dynamic design firms, Jessica Hannesson—founder and creative director of Hannesson Home Interiors and Made for Home by Hannesson Home—has built a career on the belief that home should be both timeless and lived-in. This fall, her firm has been named a finalist in HGTV’s 2025 Designer of the Year Awards in the Kitchen + Dining category. It’s a milestone that underscores her growing influence while continuing to elevate interior design in Montana.

What early experiences led you to pursue interior design and entrepreneurship?

Home has always been at the center of my story. I grew up in Glendive, Montana, surrounded by strong women who poured their hearts into their homes, whether it was saving for custom curtains or making ordinary days feel special. My mom and grandmother taught me how to be a homemaker, while my dad, who owned a tire store, taught me what it meant to be an entrepreneur. From cleaning the shop to selling to farmers, I learned how to talk to people and build relationships. Those lessons, paired with my love for creating spaces where memories are made, led me to interior design.

How did Hannesson Home Interiors and Made for Home come to life?

After earning my degree in interior design, I joined The Cabinet Center in Billings, which was essentially a startup at the time. I loved being part of building something from the ground up. Helping expand product lines, shaping the brand, and eventually running the company, you name it, I loved it. Seven years in, I purchased the company, rebranded it as Hannesson Home, and started shaping it into the design firm I envisioned. Along the way, I launched Made for Home, a home décor and furnishings shop, because I wanted people to bring that same “design you can feel” ethos into their everyday lives.

How would you describe your design philosophy today?

I believe design should be felt as much as it’s seen. My philosophy is centered on creating spaces that are timeless, textured, and lived-in. Places where design and real life coexist beautifully. I always ask clients: What memories are we going to create here? That emotional connection is what guides every project.

Does living and working in Montana influence your aesthetic?

Montana is a place of contrasts—rugged landscapes, wide-open skies, and deep family roots. That influence shows up in our work through an appreciation for natural textures, warmth, and a sense of grounding. Even in more refined spaces, we want to bring in that lived-in ease that makes people feel at home.

Is there a project that feels especially defining for you?

Every project carries meaning, but the new 14,000-square-foot headquarters we’re building for Hannesson Home and Made for Home is especially defining. It represents years of hustle and growth, and it’s designed not just as a workplace, but as a creative hub for dreaming big. Once completed, it will also house a library, resource room, and rooftop patio. It feels like both a milestone and a launchpad for everything still ahead.

Your work is known for being timeless, textured, and lived-in. How do you strike that balance between beauty and comfort?

It starts with intention. We layer materials—wood, stone, textiles—so rooms feel rich but approachable. We focus on scale and proportion to make sure spaces work as well as they look. And we never lose sight of the fact that homes are for living in. The true test of good design is whether someone feels instantly comfortable when they walk in.

What do you hope people feel when they walk into one of your spaces?

We want them to feel a sense of calm, connection, and belonging. A home should reflect the people who live there, not just the designer behind it. If a client feels seen, understood, and truly at home in their space, then we’ve done our job.

Where do you turn for inspiration—both creatively and in business?

I find inspiration in people. In their stories, their memories, and the way they live. Beyond that, I look to travel, nature, and the creative process itself. I also treat Hannesson Home like a media company, documenting installs, reveals, and the in-between moments. That storytelling not only inspires me but helps others connect with the journey.

Looking ahead, what dreams or projects excite you most?

I’m excited about breaking ground on our new headquarters, but I’m also dreaming beyond it. A major goal of mine is to collaborate on product lines, like rugs or home décor, that bring our design perspective into homes across the country.

We recently purchased a window and door company, and I see potential to fold that into our larger vision. There are big dreams still ahead, and this is just the beginning.

When you need a creative reset, where do you go?

I step back into simple, grounding moments, like spending time with family, being outdoors, or traveling somewhere that shifts my perspective. Those resets remind me why home matters so much and always spark new creative ideas.

As Hannesson looks ahead to building her firm’s new 14,000-square-foot headquarters and dreaming up future product collaborations, she does so with the momentum of a national spotlight. We congratulate Hannesson Home Interiors on being named a finalist in HGTV’s 2025 Designer of the Year Awards—a recognition that celebrates not only a stunning kitchen, but also the vision and creativity driving Montana design onto the national stage.