We sat down with Brittany Jepsen, author and founder of the design and crafting universe The House That Lars Built, to discuss her professional journey, daily routine, creative style, and the significance of art in her life.
Welcome to our Inner Worlds series, where we step into the personal realms of art lovers from all walks of life, exploring the profound ways in which art is integrated into their lives.
Can you introduce yourself, your background, and what you do for a living?
I’m originally from a beach town in Southern California, but I’ve since lived on the East Coast as well as in Copenhagen before coming to Utah, where I am now based. I have a degree in art history and a Master’s in interior design. I now run a creative design services company called The House That Lars Built. We focus on creating crafts and design projects that encourage people to live a more artful life.
What Inspired you to start The House that Lars Built?
I started The House That Lars Built 15 years ago while I was in grad school, as a blog. I initially used it as a portfolio for a few years, then began blogging about my life in Copenhagen after getting married. I couldn’t work for a while, as my international documents were being processed, so I treated my blog as a job, and soon enough it became exactly that. I started to freelance as a blogger, making crafts and design projects, and soon I started to earn money. Now we create design projects of many kinds for clients, and encourage our audience to make things with their hands.
You also wrote a book called Craft the Rainbow. Tell us about that.
I started the Instagram hashtag #Crafttherainbow in 2014, where I’d take pictures of my craft supplies every day for 30 days, and it took off. Since I love color, I started to focus on a fuller spectrum of hues and developed this book which features craft projects made from paper in every shade of the rainbow. I set out to make a beautiful craft book and I am really proud of the final result.
Tell us about your upbringing with art and design.
My mom was always encouraging us to be creative–to come up with ideas that no one had come up with before–so I began my journey with creating since I was a child. I grew up with original paintings in the home because I have an uncle who is a phenomenal artist. It taught me the importance of original art. I crafted and painted a lot. During college, I studied art history and music because I really loved researching and learning more about art and artists, which has allowed me to become familiar with art historical movements and understand what has come before. I studied interior design in graduate school, extending my artistic vision into the three-dimensional realm. I consider rooms art for living.
Tell us about your daily rituals. How do you spend your free time?
I live in Provo, Utah with my husband, Paul, who is originally from Denmark, and our two boys, Jasper and Felix who are five and two. My boys are SUPER active and I’ve never been so tired and overworked in my life. Ha! My daily routine consists of getting up with my boys and spending time with them, then getting them ready for school. After I drop them off, I get ready then head downstairs to our basement, where I have my office. Once I pick my boys up from school, it’s full mom mode–playing, dinner, getting ready for bed, then pure exhaustion. If I have free time, I do love to travel any chance I get. I love walking around cities and exploring museums, discovering unique shops and neighborhoods.
Describe your living space. What made you decide to live here?
We moved into our home about three years ago, during the height of the pandemic. We needed to get out of our apartment as we were both working from home with one child, plus another one on the way. The house we bought was a pure miracle. It was in the exact neighborhood that we wanted to be in. We always took walks by it saying, “couldn’t you imagine living there, one day?”…and here we are now! It was built in 1992, but it was made to look like it was built in the 1800s. I found out from the original owners that their inspiration was from a home in Nauvoo, Illinois in the 1830s. The owners were in the midst of renovating the house when we bought it so there were incomplete rooms. We’ve had to do some major renovations like putting in floors, lighting, and completing the kitchen and bathrooms. The house has always had so much potential and we get to see it come to life.
What does your space say about you?
I hope my home communicates that I love things that make a statement–colorful patterns, tons of floral motifs, a mix of Scandinavian and folk English flair, as well as references to my own pioneer heritage. I like to combine romantic aspects with a bit of fun and vibrancy.
In what ways has the presence of artworks transformed your living space?
Art is the one thing that I feel like you can buy without knowing exactly what the space will look like. I don’t want a home that is too perfectly matchy-matchy, so art has been a major focal point as we renovate our home. I have been lucky enough to acquire a part of my parent’s collection after they moved into their new home, so I’ve been able to live with some of the paintings from my childhood. It’s both nostalgic and soulful. One piece in particular stands out: my uncle did a study of my mom when she was young. It’s around 24 square feet–it’s huge! We put it in our staircase and I feel like my mom watches me wherever I go–in the best way! I have also since added two pieces from SINGULART that have really added so much spirit into our home. While I think it’s fun to collect art that is inspiring, I also value the process of filling my home with objects that hold personal meaning. And I believe that art should be just that.
Which creators inspire you daily?
Wow, so many! I have a good friend named Meta Coleman who is an interior designer who fuses patterns and colors so well. I’m also inspired by my friend Merrilee Liddiard, who is a mega talented maker and illustrator. She creates her own world, which I adore. I’m also inspired by my friend Eva Jorgensen, an artist and printmaker who is now dedicated to designing perfectly-curated trips to Paris. I got to go on one of these trips with her last year and it was unforgettable! I admire how these ladies stay authentic to the things that inspire them.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their journey as an art collector?
Start small and always be looking. Even if you don’t have a huge budget for it, you can start with local artists to find things that really stand out to you. I think it’s important to know what’s out there and figure out what you’re inspired by. Stay current! Plus, it’s fun!
