Meet the Designer: Taniya Nayak
Always after a design solution, Taniya Nayak discusses the anatomy of outdoor rooms and the secret to a successful backyard party
Quality over quantity: Interior designer turned HGTV star, Taniya Nayak believes foliage, textiles, seating and a bit of shelter can transform almost any outdoor space into a retreat, no matter what the size. Image courtesy of Taniya Nayak
Taniya Nayak is coming of age. Her first TV reality show back in 2003 was a teen decorating show on ABC Family called "Knock First." She was 30 at the time and had just graduated from Boston Architectural College with a degree in interior design.
Over the last seven years, however, she has founded her own design firm, Boston-based Taniya Nayak Design, and moved into the adult world with appearances on "Oprah," the "Today" show and "The Early Show." She also has become a fixture on various HGTV reality shows, including her current one, "Destination Design."
Nayak, whose family emigrated from India before she was born, describes herself as a modernist who likes to solve problems, both inside a home and outdoors.
"What I like best about what I do," she says, "is that it actually improves peoples' lives. It's interesting what a difference good design can make in your attitudes and energy and how you live your life."
How have backyards changed in the last few years?
TANIYA NAYAK: What I see happening is the whole idea of outdoor rooms. People are dividing their yards into zones for living rooms, kitchens and exercise areas, and decorating them almost like you would indoor rooms.
How much space do you need for an outdoor room?
For once, I don't think size is important. It might be a 10-by-10 foot terrace, or it might be a big backyard. It's really what you do with the space that matters.
How do you define spaces in an outdoor room?
With foliage and furniture. Foliage, either in beds or potted, is also key for providing color. Outdoor rooms are a challenge in that you don't have walls you can paint. Whatever color there is usually comes from flowers and plants and also textiles in the form of canopies, linens and upholstery fabrics.
How important are canopies?
I don't think you have to cover the whole space, but I do think you need to have a spot where people can retreat and get out of the sun. And maybe it's an umbrella instead of a canopy. Just so you have room for some chairs and a table.
What kind of furniture works best in an outdoor room?
It depends on weather and climate. Basically, you want the feel of an indoor room - the ease and coziness - in an outdoor setting. That usually means upholstered furniture of some kind. One thing I would suggest is multi-use furniture - say a coffee table that doubles as a storage chest or a chest that can also be used as a bench.
What about lighting?
Very important. I'm intrigued right now by all the solar-powered lights on the market. They power up during the day and shine at night. They're also very low maintenance. You basically just stick them in the ground. But I also like white Christmas lights on trees and foliage all year-round. They create a wonderful mood.
Do you entertain much?
I love entertaining. I don't claim to be the best cook in the world but I love entertaining.
How do you plan a summer party?
I like themed parties. A theme makes everything else - the menu, the music, the party favors - a lot easier because it gives you a direction.
Can you give some examples?
Maybe you start with places you love. I just did a Moroccan party with Arabic music, lanterns in the trees and lamb kabobs on the grill. It was fabulous. Or maybe the food itself is the inspiration. In Boston, we love clambakes and lobster boils in the summer. For that, you could do a nautical theme with sand and shells, lobster pots and toy boats as party favors. Clambakes can be a little messy but I always think that's part of the fun. Just be sure to have lots of lobster bibs and wet wipes on hand.
You have a new show on HGTV called "Destination Design." What's the premise?
Every show starts with a couple who are not seeing eye-to-eye on decorating their new house. So we send them on vacation and while they're traveling they send me photos of things they like or find interesting.
Where do they go?
Everywhere - Hawaii, Sedona, Santa Fe. Our first couple went down to the Caribbean and sent me a picture of a bonefish, which has a striking silver iridescent color and scales that look like mosaic tiles. I used that as inspiration for their fireplace.
I understand you just moved into a new apartment. How is decorating for yourself different than for clients?
Let's just say I'm not a great client! When I'm designing for a client, I reach a point where I know what needs to be done and I do it. For myself, though, I tend to over-analyze everything. And that ultimately is a little paralyzing.
What kind of house did you grow up in?
My father is an architect, and I was raised in a classic modernist house with white walls and Wassily chairs. My dad was also a huge fan of fabric wallhangings - it was his way of adding color - and I've adopted that big-time.
What's your favorite house in the world?
I love Frank Lloyd Wright's houses - the clean lines, the simplicity and the way they relate to the land. Also, the way he makes the hearth the center of the house. They are a big inspiration for me.
 |
CATEGORIES
CONTACT 
|