Placencia-based Designer Beats Top Countries for International Property Awards
By Charles Gladden – The Amandala Newspaper
Hannah Cowell, a British-Belizean interior designer, has unveiled her talents on the big stage at the International Property Awards 2025, earning top honors in three categories and securing a nomination for the global finals to be held in January 2026.
Cowell swept the competition in the Caribbean and South America division, which features entries from countries such as the United States of America, Canada, the Caribbean, and the rest of Central and South America.
She received Five-Star awards for Best Residential Interior Private Residence and Best Kitchen Design Residential, along with an additional award for Interior Private Residence at the Americas gala held on November 21 at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, Miami.
The winning designs feature exceptional spaces and finishes with carefully curated color and furnishing designs, and innovative spatial solutions that maximize both functionality and aesthetic appeal in the lush jungle interior of Belize.
“Receiving these awards and the surprise nomination is deeply humbling and incredibly meaningful to me. After two decades of pouring my heart into my designs, rebuilding after many setbacks, and re-building — this recognition feels like a nod to that effort,” Cowell shared.
“These awards belong to every client who trusted me with their vision, to those who helped bring designs to life, and the Belizean community that has embraced and inspired my creativity for years. I have enjoyed creating homes that truly reflect who my clients are and how they want to live,” Cowell added.
Over the two decades, Cowell used her skills to showcase the beauty of Belize using a distinctive approach that transforms people’s lifestyles and their spaces and surroundings. During the 25 years Cowell has been living in Placencia Village, she has been quietly earning a name in Belize for her innovative interior and general design, bespoke property development, and transformative spatial planning talents.
Cowell has also served as a Director of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) for a decade and as Consular Agent for the British High Commission in Placencia, while actively supporting community development and children’s education programs.
With her recent achievement, Cowell earned herself a ticket to compete in the International Property Awards in London in January 2026, competing against other winners from Arabia, Europe, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.
