We’re here to redefine what a candle can do.

By blending the science of the senses with the soul of cultural rituals, we create objects that do more than scent a space—they invite you into presence. Each candle is a sensory practice, rooted in purpose and crafted to meet you in the moment—with clarity, rest, grounding, or renewal.

Yes, the scents are beautiful. But beyond fragrance, each one offers a way back to yourself.

Hara means “belly” in Japanese—your true center. That’s what we design for. Objects and experiences that guide you back to presence, to your rhythm, to what’s real. This isn’t decor. It’s soul work.

Meet the core team: Each of us brings something essential to the circle—clarity of mind, creativity of body, and depth of practice. Together, we form a rhythm that makes HARA not just a brand, but a living practice.

THE SOUL

Deborah de Vries

Deborah de Vries is the Soul — and the founder — of HARA Home. A trained Industrial Psychologist and lifelong cultural observer, she is the original force behind HARA’s vision: that home can be a sanctuary, a sensory portal, and a place where transformation begins.

Raised in Canada by two immigrant grandmothers — one Ukrainian, one Dutch — Deb grew up immersed in the textures of domestic life: dill, sweet peas, fresh earth, and the quiet strength of women who built from scratch. That early exposure to everyday beauty sparked a lifelong curiosity.

She has since lived in 22 homes and traveled to 56 countries, absorbing how people around the world create space for breath, belonging, and beauty. With 25 years of experience as a scientist-practitioner in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Deb’s work blends neuroscience, somatics, and design to help people and systems navigate meaningful change.

With HARA, Deb brings that philosophy into physical form. Each candle is a cultural vignette, crafted to evoke memory, inspire intention, and gently bring you back to center. Her approach isn’t just aesthetic — it’s emotional architecture. It’s care you can feel.

Her candle? Hara of course. As a global nomad, this scent instantly transports Deb to feeling at home wherever she is.  It’s neutral, cozy, and grounding.

THE MIND

Suzana Ognjanovic

Suzana is the Mind of HARA — the operational architect who turns vision into reality. She creates clarity from complexity, transforming abstract ideas and evolving needs into systems that function with precision. Her experience spans operations, logistics, production, and cross-functional project management, where she builds efficient workflows, optimizes resources, aligns teams, and ensures every creative decision is backed by smart operational strategy.

She grew up in Southeast Europe where autumn smelled of tomatoes, winter of crisp cold air, spring of wildflowers, and summer of salt and sea. Raised among artists and steeped in old-world hospitality, she developed a natural appreciation for beauty, creativity, and care — along with an early understanding that freedom and structure can coexist. That balance continues to guide how she builds, leads, and grounds the environments around her.

She has lived in dozens of homes across Europe and the U.S. and has fully embodied the idea of finding home wherever you are — always driven by the desire to create spaces that feel intentional, warm, and rooted. Even so, her truest sense of home lives in nature, especially the sea and the forest, and in quiet moments with her children and animals.

With a calm, intuitive approach, Suzana grounds the brand — making growth sustainable, decisions strategic, and execution seamless. 

Her candle? Bhumisparsa. Steady and intentional, it reflects her instinct to build foundations, create order, and hold space with calm clarity.

THE BODY

Adrianne de Loia

Adrianne is the Body of HARA — the hands, heart, and vision behind its form, feel, and function. A multidisciplinary designer, illustrator, and creative director, she brings emotion and precision into every detail, crafting spaces and objects that speak to both the senses and the soul.

Called a “practical dreamer,” Adrianne bridges intuitive vision with grounded execution. Her early love of sculpture — of shaping form into feeling — naturally led her to packaging design, where touch, shape, and story converge. That tactile sensitivity, coupled with her expertise in branding and visual systems, defines the immersive experience of HARA.

Her creative ethos is rooted in the slow layering of oil painting — especially the depth of glazing — a practice that mirrors her design philosophy: emotional, narrative, intentionally built. She also develops story-driven, natural fragrances for brands, treating scent as memory made tangible.

Adrianne is the founder of Lassie Collective, a platform for radical female design, and the co-founder of Biography Skincare, known for its sensorial and story-rich offerings.

What candles does she need? Döstädning, obviously—for clearing space and reclaiming clarity when creative tools and half-finished ideas start to take over. And shinrin-yoku to stay grounded in the beautiful chaos of family life. She’s still obsessed with how döstädning turned out—unexpectedly satisfying, the perfect balance of clean and soulful.