Jun 04, 2026

A Peek Inside: Artist Araya Jensen

by Karrie Dean

A Peek Inside is our series where we chat with inspiring people about the little things that make a house feel like home (besides a Happy Habitat throw, of course).

This time, we're visiting with artist, mom, and all-around creative spirit Araya Jensen. I first met Araya nearly 15 years ago at a Martha Stewart event in her hometown of Minneapolis. Recently, her name popped up on a Happy Habitat order, and it felt like a happy full-circle moment. While we'd lost touch over the years, I've continued to follow her beautiful work and knew she'd be a perfect fit for this series.

Araya creates nature-inspired abstract art designed to bring joy into everyday spaces. After years spent designing interiors, she found herself drawn to something more personal: creating art inspired by the colors, textures, and quiet beauty she discovered outdoors. Her work captures those moments of wonder—the patterns in leaves, shifting light, and rich colors found in nature—and translates them into pieces that feel vibrant, uplifting, and alive.

Let's take a peek inside.

What object/item (s) do you most like to show off and talk about at your abode (I mean besides your Happy Habitat throws, of course!)

That's a tough one, ever since I decided to forget about resale and design my house in ways that bring me and my family joy, I love every item in my home. I think our fireplace with the "sunflower" tile that I installed during lockdown is on the top of the list, in addition to our travel photos in the dining room and our entryway which I painted to represent our families hobbies.

Speaking of your first favorite item in your house, your Happy Habitat throw—how and why did you chose the ones you picked? How and where do you use your Happy Habitat throws in your space?

I love bright colors and I cannot pass up a great floral so the Apple and Bananna throws are front and center in our living room and truly represent my personality. The new floral throws are two of my favorite colors, yellow and blue, and they work perfectly on our patio to snuggle up in on cool summer mornings while having coffee.

How do you incorporate the idea of warmth into your space? is it something you even think of? And how do you incorporate warmth into your personal self? OR tell us about something in your home that soothes your soul.

I think I incorporate warmth into my space with color. And not as you'd think, I have mostly bright and cool colors represented in my home but to me, warmth is sharing yourself with others and I believe our home perfectly represents us.

If you had to describe your design style in terms of food/drink—what would it be? and why?

Maybe some type of candy. It's sweet and colorful and brings a smile to your face.

Collections. What do you collect? What’s your display situation?

My biggest collection is photographs of our vacations. It's really like collecting memories and art all in one. I display them in our dining room.

They say hygge. We say cozy. What captures that concept bestin your home?

We do love our wood burning fireplace. Minnesota has long winters and there is nothing like sitting around a real fire and playing games with the family.

Do you have a signature design quirk?

I just can't not incorporate color. At one point, in each room I thought I could try minimal color but it just doesn't feel right. Color = Energy

What’s something in your space that you love and others don’t and yet you refuse to be bullied into submission?

Hmmmm, I am not sure but based on current trends, maybe the white walls? I just love a bright space filled with light.

What’s a home design risk you took that paid off? What’s one that makes you cringe now?

For a long time I followed trends and then I realized it is very expensive to constantly change design elements (and wall colors) based on trends. Once I started designing with colors, patterns and elements that I love, everything came together and I have never looked back.

Imagine you’re out at a party and have to describe your entire decor style to someone you just met by showing them one possession.

What would it be? Haha! I just show them my Instagram feed and they are usually like, "OOhhhhh, I understand"

One final thing we love: Araya is currently in a season of rediscovering her own creativity. With her children growing up and reaching new milestones, she's been carving out more time for herself and returning to art in a meaningful way.

These days, she's creating abstract, nature-inspired mixed media pieces that allow her to explore, experiment, and express herself in new ways. We can't wait to see where that creative path leads next.

A big thank you to Araya for sharing her home, her perspective, and a little inspiration with all of us. Be sure to follow along with her artistic journey—we have a feeling the best is yet to come.

A fun connection: the Apple and Bananas Throws featured in Araya's home are part of our Fruit Salad collaboration with Ampersand Design Studio. If you'd like another peek inside a creative home, be sure to check out our conversation with Morgan, co-founder of Ampersand.

A Peek Inside: Artist Araya Jensen

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