Interview with Taniya Nayak
Photography as noted

Taniya Nayak, cohost of ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight, brings her bubbly and powerful presence to her work both on and off the screen. Here she shares her design secrets and how she gets into the holiday spirit.

The Great Christmas Light Fight features brilliant some of the most brilliant holiday displays.

Which have been your favorites over the years?

That’s hard—I have so many. But an especially memorable one was a display by Arkansas native Sam Finney, one of our winners. He’s a widow and has acres of property. He did all the decorating himself to create a massive holiday walking tour. There was something very magical and touching about it.

I also really loved the creations of Yusi An of Houston, one of our other winners. She used huge Chinese lanterns, like those often lit for the Chinese New Year, to make a city of lights in an empty parking lot. Part of the reason why I loved it so much is because, while the show is called The Great Christmas Light Fight, it’s really a holiday show. There are so many kinds of displays—it’s hard to judge which one is best, and choosing only one winner is always difficult.

What’s it like traveling across the country to visit all the holiday lights?

The travel is fun, but the schedule can be intense. My cohost, Carter Oosterhouse, and I ping-pong back and forth across the country. For example, one day I could be enjoying warm and sunny weather in Florida and the next I’m in three feet of snow in Massachusetts. Since our schedules can be long and hectic, and because we wait until it gets dark out to film the lights and surprise the families, I’m often pretty exhausted as I wait in my car to get started. But the contestants’ energy is so infectious, and they give me such a boost—it’s their big moment!

How do you celebrate the holidays?

I decorate, but not to the extent you see on the show. The families we film go all out—I could never match that level. Plus, I usually get back home only about a week before Christmas. My husband, Brian O’Donnell, is a restauranteur, and I love to cook, so we really enjoy entertaining our family and friends. We usually get together for dinner on Christmas Eve. It’s all about family and being together.
That said, every now and then our film schedule runs long, and I only get home a few days before Christmas. In those instances, Brian and I will take a plane on Christmas Day to our vacation home in Fort Lauderdale and celebrate there.

You also own a design firm. Is it tough juggling your work there with your TV appearances?

Ever since I appeared on my first show, Knock First, in 2003, my dad would say, “Your TV work isn’t going to last forever, so you should have your two feet on the ground.” So in 2005, I launched my Boston-based interior design firm, Taniya Nayak Design, Inc. We do both residential and commercial design. We’ve designed many restaurants, including several Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses; many different projects for Tuscan Brands, including a marketplace and some hotel work; and several condo developments. One of my newest ventures is a commercial-grade wallcovering collection with MDC Interior Solutions.

I somehow manage to juggle all this while filming my shows—luckily, I have an amazing team of eight in my firm who help me balance it all. I feel proud that I have my firm and a master’s degree in interior architecture.

You’ve remodeled both your Boston and Fort Lauderdale homes. How did you renovate your Boston residence?

The main thing we did was knock down walls to create an open floor plan. Our home overlooks a river and has a large window with a view of the water. It’s so beautiful to see how it transforms over the seasons—we have gorgeous, snowy New England winters, lush greens and blues in summer, and oranges and other vibrant autumn colors in fall. My husband and I put two chairs by the window so we can enjoy the view and relax with our coffee or wine. We use them so often that they are getting a bit worn now.

What about your Fort Lauderdale home?

We actually own two one-bedroom condos in Florida, and I designed them both. The newer one is very monochromatic and super neutral because that’s my style. I didn’t want to detract from its amazing waterfront view, so I brought in a lot of textures to create an urban vibe while keeping it cozy. If your home has a view, you should emphasize it with your design, not compete with it. My parents vacation in the other condo. It makes me so happy to have them there.

How does being a dog owner affect your home design?

I don’t know how this little meatball came into our lives, but Flynn has single-handedly instigated so many design changes in our Boston home. One big reason why is because English bulldogs shed. We had dark wood floors when we moved, and all I saw were scratches and fur, so we went with lighter floors. We also had a fabric sofa that collected dirt and fur; we got rid of that and now have a mocha-colored leather one that’s much easier to clean.

How can a homeowner pinpoint their own design style?

If you aren’t sure what your style is, you should open your closet and look at what you wear—it can tell you so much about what you like. For instance, my style is monochromatic, but I always add a statement piece to each outfit, such as big earrings or a cool ring.

I do the same thing in my living spaces. For example, in my Boston home, we have a timeless Eames chair made of black leather and molded wood in the corner of our living room. We also have a waterfall edge on our countertop and a funky chandelier over our dining room table. I try to create longevity for both myself and my clients. No matter who I’m designing for, I want them to love the way their home looks and feels for years to come.

For more info, visit taniyanayak.com