Spotlight: Daniela Araya
Daniela Araya and her Gem Sunlight
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got to where you are today?
Of course! I’m Daniela, a designer and color consultant based in Hudson, New York. This question makes me a bit nostalgic because it’s been nearly a decade since I moved to New York City for my dream internship at Hearst. Time flies when you're having fun, right? Moving from Florida to NYC was a big leap for me, but I was chasing my passion (magazines have always been my thing). As a teenager, I’d pin design spreads all over my room, soaking up the creativity and style. Even if I didn’t always know the names behind the work, I was deeply inspired by the creative output.
At Hearst, I worked with a few different magazines, but it was the interior design ones that really stuck with me. That's where I fell in love with storytelling through home decor and saw firsthand how much impact design can have on how someone feels. Since then, I’ve worn many hats—from working as a content director at a design platform to launching my own color consultancy. Now, my mission is to help people feel empowered in their own homes by embracing color and tapping into its magic… even if that means in small, meaningful ways. Color has the power to transform our spaces, and I love showing people how to harness that!
How would you describe your home?
Bright, playful, and inspiring. Each room has its own unique color focus and brings out a different mood, but overall, they come together in a way that feels both cohesive and energizing. It’s my little creative playground.
If you could peek inside any person’s house to see how it’s decorated, who would that be and why?
That’s a tough one, but I think I’d have to go with Yayoi Kusama. Her background is fascinating, and I’m obsessed with how she uses color and pattern. I’d imagine her home is filled with pop art and playful polka dots—but it would be amazing to see how she really lives.
Can you tell us about some of your favorite pieces in your home?
Most of my favorite pieces are vintage finds from antiquing around upstate New York. There’s something special about hunting for secondhand furniture and decor that tells its own story. I found a writing desk with these beautiful spindle legs, painted in the most vibrant kelly green — it’s now my writing and mood board nook! I also have this giant piece of artwork with an orange painted on it that always makes me smile. You just can’t find that kind of delight at the big stores. If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m drawn to anything with color, which is why I fell for my Gem Sunlight shade so hard. 😉
Do you have any projects you're working on right now that you're excited about?
Yes! I just opened up availability for my Color Clarity Calls, which is my version of a personalized color consultation. These calls are one of my favorite parts of the job because I get to guide people in thinking differently about color in their homes—focusing on how they want to feel in their space rather than just following a trend. I also launched a free resource for anyone curious about color: a roundup of my all-time favorite books on color. It’s full of inspiration and the perfect way to dip your toes into the world of color! (How many times can I say color in one sentence?)
Plus, I’ve got a few other exciting things in the works, so be sure to follow me on Instagram to stay updated!
Discover Daniela's pick, the Gem Sunlight!
