Taniya Nayak
Taniya Nayak is featured as a host, mentor, and interior designer on HGTV shows including “Rock the Block,” “Battle on the Beach,” and “Build It Forward.” She is also a judge on ABC’s primetime hit “The Great Christmas Light Fight” and the spinoff “The Great Halloween Fright Fight.” Taniya served as a featured designer on Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” for 23 seasons.
A native of India, this Boston-based, award-winning interior architect is known for creating memorable designs for trendy restaurants, condo developments, marketplaces, and luxury residential projects throughout the United States. Her recent projects include Tuscan Market, Artisan Marriott Hotel, Yellow Door Taqueria, and numerous Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Fleming’s Steakhouse locations nationwide. She has designed for celebrities including Ayesha Curry, Robert Irvine, and Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins.
In 2025, Taniya launched her collection of tile and surfacing with Genrose Stone + Tile. She has also designed multiple lines of high-performance wallcoverings for Len-Tex and MDC Interior Solutions, now featured in Hilton and Marriott brand hotels across the country. Taniya also launched a hospitality-focused amenities collection with Erwyn and will soon debut her first lighting collection with Studio M.
Taniya has appeared on Today, Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The View. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Design New England, Design NYC, People Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, HGTV Magazine, Real Simple, AARP Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal.
Taniya was personally selected by Ellen DeGeneres as the brand spokesperson for her home product line “E.D. On Air,” featured on QVC.
Taniya supports organizations including Boys & Girls Club, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Room to Dream Foundation, Smile Train, No Kid Hungry, Akshaya Patra Organization, and Tommy’s Place.
She is the founder and principal of Taniya Nayak Design, Inc., based in Boston, and received an honorary doctorate from The Boston Architectural College in May 2026. Taniya is also co-owner of several Boston-area restaurants with her husband Brian O’Donnell, including Lower Mills Tavern, Yellow Door Taqueria, Madre Osteria, Moonshine Alley, and Meribelle.
In her free time, Taniya enjoys salsa dancing, cooking, entertaining, and spending time with her English bulldog, Flynn.