My Weekend with Taniya Nayak

If you have ever turned on HGTV or the Food Network, you are sure to have come across the lovely & talented Taniya Nayak.  Known for shows such as Restaurant Impossible & Design to Sell (to name a few…) she lends her talented eye on some spaces in need of some serious help!  She is also the face of Mohawk Flooring!  Since I write for their new blog, I was thrilled when they mentioned she would be in town for a local store opening.  Even more excited when they mentioned going to dinner!  That is really a situation where you can get to know someone.
I rounded up some of Atlanta’s local design/blog talent & we all met at JCT Kitchen for some serious southern food!  Of course the group photo gave us all demon eyes.  Happens every time right?!  But check out all that food! Fried Chicken, Collards, Black Eyed Peas… Mmmm.  It was good.
Even better than the food was the company.  It’s been quite a while since I have had a Girl’s Night Out, so this was definitely needed.  We obviously gabbed about design, blogs & of course design shows.  We did get a little behind the scenes dirt… but I’ll keep that info to myself.  Sorry. I don’t kiss & tell πŸ™‚  
I will tell you that Taniya is the sweetest person.  She is so down to earth & completely one of the girls.  We kept laughing because we ended up having so much in common.  Both of our Husbands are Restaurant Guys, we love restaurant design (I really miss that) and we even eat our cupcakes the same way.  It’s a sandwich technique that I’ve perfected over the years… well she does it too!
After a late night, we had to go get our beauty rest for Builder’s Floor Covering & Mohawk Flooring Showroom Opening event that happened in Buckhead (a suburb of Atlanta).  
We walked the red carpet…
Checked out some of the featured products…
& sat down for a Question & Answer Session with Taniya herself!
Yes, it was legit with microphones & everything!  I asked some questions that Mohawk Followers submitted,  asked a few background questions of my own & went out to the crowd for some of their questions.  Obviously Taniya is a pro at this kind of set up… me not so much, but I tried my best.  She was even nice enough to allow me to answer a few of the crowd questions & provide my designer two cents.  I must admit, I felt pretty important.
The event was a complete success & a lucky family even won a $20,000 Room Makeover designed by Taniya!  How great is that?!?
The amazing Heidi Rew from Parties for Pennies did all the Party Planning for the event (the weekend of her sister’s wedding!!!! Talk about busy!!)  And she did an amazing job!  I mean look at these cupcakes displayed on Carrara Marble floor tiles!
To see more about the event & all the details, head over to Creative Home!
I had such a great time with Taniya & we’ve promised to stay in touch.  Maybe I’ll stop by & say hello my next trip to Boston!
Big thanks to Mohawk for setting all of this up!!!