Taniya Nayak is a famous interior designer and TV personality who has appeared on several shows on HGTV and Food Network. She is known for her fresh, clean, and creative approach to both commercial and residential spaces. She is also a successful entrepreneur who owns a design firm and several restaurants in Boston.
Birthplace, Birthday, Parents
Taniya Nayak was born on February 22, 1973 (age: 50 years, as of 2023), in Nagpur, India. She is the daughter of B.D. Nayak and Leela Nayak, who are both architects. Her father is the owner and president of B.D. Nayak Architects & Consultants Inc., a prominent firm in Boston. Taniya moved to the US with her family when she was a child and grew up in Boston.
She attended Boston Architectural College and earned her master’s degree in interior architecture. She also worked as a bartender and mixologist for 13 years, which helped her develop her social skills and creativity.
Taniya Nayak Wiki, Ethnicity, Nationality
| Name | Taniya Nayak |
|---|---|
| Birth date | February 22, 1973 |
| Age | 50 |
| Birthplace | Nagpur, India |
| Nationality | American-Indian |
| Ethnicity/Caste | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Occupation | Interior designer, TV personality, entrepreneur |
| Education | Bachelor of Science in Marketing from University of Massachusetts Lowell, Master of Interior Design from Boston Architectural College |
| Parents | B.D. Nayak and Leela Nayak |
| Siblings | Yoshika Sherring |
| Spouse | Brian O’Donnell |
| Children | None |
| Net worth | Estimated at $5 million |
| Awards | Top Honors award in the International Interior Design Association Student Sketch Problem Competition, Fellowship from AIA for her father in 2017 |
| TV shows | Knock First, Designed to Sell, House Hunters on Vacation, Destination Design, Urban Oasis, HGTV Showdown, The Great Christmas Light Fight, Build It Forward, Restaurant: Impossible, Battle on the Beach |
| Design firm | Taniya Nayak Design, Inc. |
| Design style | Fresh, clean, functional, whimsical |
| Design projects | Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Tuscan Market, Artisan Marriot Hotel, Yellow Door Taqueria, Madre Osteria, Moonshine Alley, Citrus and Salt, Room to Dream Foundation, Smile Train, No Kid Hungry, Aksaya Patra Organization |
| Design collection | High-performance commercial grade wallcoverings, in partnership with Len-Tex and MDC Interior Solutions |
| Restaurants | Lower Mills Tavern, Yellow Door Taqueria, Madre Osteria, Moonshine Alley, Citrus and Salt |
| Interests | Dancing, cooking, entertaining, traveling, exploring new cultures and cuisines, fitness, philanthropy |
| Pet | English bulldog named Flynn |
Profile
Career as an Interior Designer
Taniya started her career as an interior designer in 2005, when she founded her own design firm, Taniya Nayak Design, Inc. She specializes in creating memorable designs for multi-family developments, shops, markets, salons, spas, restaurants, and hotels. She has a diverse clientele that includes celebrities, athletes, and business owners. Some of her notable projects are:
- Trademark Condominiums, a luxury residential development in Boston
- Yellow Door Taqueria, a trendy Mexican restaurant with multiple locations
- Door No. 7, a modern American restaurant with a speakeasy vibe
- Abby Lane, a casual dining spot with a theater theme
- The Poynt, a waterfront restaurant with a rustic-chic decor
- Tavern & Table, a cozy gastropub with a southern flair
- Bostonia Public House, a historic restaurant with a contemporary twist
- Ruth’s Chris Steak House, a famous steakhouse chain with several new locations
- Tuscan Market, a gourmet Italian market and cafe
- Artisan Marriot Hotel, a boutique hotel with a sophisticated design
- The homes of Patrice Bergeron and Cam Neeley, legendary hockey players for the Boston Bruins
Taniya has a unique style that combines rich textures, unexpected finishes, and practical functionality. She likes to infuse a touch of magic and personality into every space she designs. She also pays attention to the details and the budget of each project. She says, “I love creating spaces that make people feel good. Whether it’s a home, a restaurant, or a hotel, I want to create an environment that is inviting, comfortable, and inspiring.”
Career as a TV Personality
Taniya Nayak is also a well-known TV personality who has appeared on several shows on HGTV and Food Network. She has a sunny smile and a sharp eye that make her a popular design expert and host. She has also been featured on other major networks such as ABC, QVC, and The Oprah Winfrey Network. Some of her TV appearances are:
- Battle on the Beach, a competition show where she mentors teams of renovators who transform beachfront properties
- Build It Forward, a show where she helps families build their dream homes while giving back to their communities
- Designed to Sell, a show where she helps homeowners add value and prepare their houses for sale
- House Hunters on Vacation, a show where she surprises lucky families with dream vacation homes
- Urban Oasis, a show where she designs a stunning apartment in Boston that is given away to a lucky viewer
- Restaurant: Impossible, a show where she teams up with chef Robert Irvine to save and transform failing restaurants
- The Great Christmas Light Fight, a show where she judges the most spectacular holiday displays across the country
- E.D. On Air, a show where she is the brand spokesperson for Ellen Degeneres’ home product line on QVC
Taniya has a natural talent and passion for TV. She enjoys sharing her design tips and tricks with the viewers and inspiring them to create their own beautiful spaces. She says, “I love being on TV because it gives me a platform to reach a wider audience and show them the power of design. I also love working with different people and learning from them. It’s always fun and challenging.”
HGTV’s Build It Forward: How Taniya Nayak and Matt Blashaw Transform Homes and Communities
HGTV’s new home renovation series, Build It Forward, is not your typical makeover show. It’s a show that celebrates the power of giving back and making a difference. In each episode, hosts Taniya Nayak and Matt Blashaw surprise a community hero with a personal home renovation and a community project renovation, both done with Lowe’s products exclusively.
Taniya Nayak is a renowned interior designer and TV personality who has appeared on several shows on HGTV and Food Network. She is known for her fresh, clean, and creative approach to both commercial and residential spaces. She is also a successful entrepreneur who owns a design firm and several restaurants in Boston.
Matt Blashaw is an experienced contractor and realtor who has a passion for construction and renovation. He has also hosted and appeared on many shows on HGTV and DIY Network, such as Professional Grade, Money Hunters, Deconstruction, and Project Xtreme. He is also a philanthropist who supports various causes and organizations, especially related to veteran housing.
Together, Taniya Nayak and Matt travel across the country to meet and help five exceptional community leaders who have dedicated their lives to serving others. These are the heroes who have received grants from Lowe’s 100 Hometowns Initiative, which marked the company’s centennial anniversary by supporting 100 charitable projects across the nation.
The show features inspiring stories and stunning transformations, as Taniya and Matt work with the local Lowe’s associates and volunteers to create beautiful and functional spaces for the heroes and their communities. Some of the projects include:
- A new kitchen and living room for a firefighter who runs a nonprofit that provides fire safety education and smoke alarms to low-income families
- A new bedroom and bathroom for a nurse who founded a hospice home for terminally ill children and their families
- A new office and lounge for a teacher who created a mentoring program for at-risk youth and a community garden for food security
- A new master suite and backyard for a veteran who advocates for homeless veterans and provides them with transitional housing and support services
- A new dining room and basement for a social worker who operates a food pantry and a clothing closet for low-income families and individuals
Build It Forward is a show that showcases the impact of home improvement and community improvement. It’s a show that honors the heroes who make the world a better place. It’s a show that inspires the viewers to get involved and make a difference. As Taniya says, “My hope is that people will be more motivated to give back to their communities. And of course, Matt and I hope that everyone will be wowed by the transformations.”
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 ft 3 in / 160 cm
- Weight: 119 lb / 54 kg
- Eye color: Brown
- Body measurements: 33-24-33 in / 86-63-86 cm
- Skin color: Tan
- Hair color: Brown with highlights
Brian O’Donnell Personal Life and Philanthropy
Taniya Nayak is married to Brian O’Donnell, a successful restaurateur in Boston. They tied the knot in 2007 and have been happily married ever since. They are also co-owners of several restaurants in the city, such as Lower Mills Tavern, Madre Osteria, Moonshine Alley, and Citrus and Salt. They share a love for food, travel, and entertainment. They also have an adorable English bulldog named Flynn, who is their fur baby.
Taniya is also a philanthropist who supports various causes and organizations. She is involved with the Room to Dream Foundation, which creates healing environments for children with chronic illnesses. She is also a supporter of Smile Train, which provides free cleft surgery and care for children in need. She also supports No Kid Hungry, which fights childhood hunger in America. She also supports Aksaya Patra, which provides midday meals for school children in India. She also supports Tommy’s Place, which offers a free vacation home for families of children with cancer.
She is a woman of many talents and achievements. She is a successful interior designer, TV personality, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She is also a loving wife, a proud dog mom, and a fun-loving person. She has a positive outlook on life and a contagious energy that make her a role model for many. She says, “I am grateful for everything I have and everything I do. I try to live every day with joy and gratitude. I also try to spread happiness and kindness wherever I go.”
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5 million |
| 2022 | $4 million |
| 2021 | $3 million |
