We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tanya Tamburin. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tanya below.
Tanya, we sincerely appreciate you joining us today and agreeing to talk about some very personal topics. So, to kick things off, let’s talk about a tough one – divorce. Can you talk to us about how you overcame divorce?
Divorce was one of the most challenging and transformative periods of my life. It wasn’t just the end of a marriage, it meant the unraveling of a deeply intertwined family dynamic, shared history, and the life I thought I was building. I was raising two young children, navigating profound change, and for the first time, facing an overwhelming sense of loneliness.
What ultimately carried me through was learning to turn inward instead of outward. I stopped looking for answers in distraction or validation and began doing the deeper work. I committed to therapy, yoga, and strength training, not as trends, but as anchors. These practices helped me rebuild trust in myself, both physically and emotionally.
Creatively, I began to re-immerse myself in the fashion styling world, not as an escape, but as a way to reconnect with my identity and sense of vision. Styling had always been a form of storytelling for me, and returning to it during that period reminded me of who I was beneath roles, expectations, and survival mode. It became a powerful form of self-expression and renewal.
During this time, I also began to reassess my relationship with alcohol. What started as curiosity became clarity. I realized that presence, self-respect, and clear-mindedness were essential if I wanted to truly heal and move forward.
Shortly after my divorce, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. That moment shifted everything. It stripped life down to what truly mattered and solidified the inner work I had already begun. I leaned deeply into faith, surrendered habits that no longer served me, and committed fully to living with intention.
Looking back, divorce didn’t break me, it refined me. It became the foundation for reinvention, personally, creatively, and professionally. I learned that healing isn’t passive. It’s built through discipline, faith, and the courage to choose yourself again and again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
At the core of my work is transformation. Today, I operate at the intersection of real estate, design, and visual storytelling, reimagining spaces, properties, and environments in ways that feel intentional, elevated, and emotionally resonant.
I work closely with contractors, builders, and trades, leading projects from concept through execution. I’m deeply involved in design decisions, layout, materials, and flow, translating vision into something tangible and livable. What excites me most is helping people see possibility where they once saw limitations, whether that’s a home renovation, an investment property, or a space in need of reinvention.
My background as a fashion stylist is the foundation of how I approach this work. Years spent creating visual narratives taught me how to see composition, proportion, and detail instinctively. That editorial eye now informs everything I do in real estate and design, how a room should feel, how light moves through a space, how materials interact, and how storytelling extends beyond clothing and into environments.
Through my brand, Properties by TT, I integrate creativity with strategy. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about value, longevity, and intention. I’m especially drawn to hands-on projects and clients who want more than a standard outcome. I thrive in collaboration, problem-solving, and the creative tension that exists between vision and execution.
One of the most exciting projects I’m currently leading is the design and development of an eight-bedroom home in Playa Langosta, Costa Rica. I’m overseeing the design in collaboration with the architect and owner, creating a property that blends elevated design with relaxed, livable luxury. The home is being developed as a high-end, luxury rental, designed for both experience and long-term value, and represents an expansion of my work into international residential design. At the same time, I continue to lead full-scale renovation projects in New Jersey.
What feels most special about this chapter is that nothing is separate anymore. I didn’t leave one career behind to start another, I integrated everything I’ve learned. At this stage of my life, my work reflects clarity, confidence, and intention. Reinvention isn’t about starting over; it’s about building forward with experience, discernment, and trust in your own eye.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, there are three qualities that had the greatest impact on my journey, especially as my career evolved across fashion, design, and real estate.
1. Discernment and intuition
Learning to trust my instincts has been foundational. Early in my career, I often looked outward for validation — from clients, collaborators, or the industry itself. Over time, experience taught me that intuition is sharpened by listening, observing, and being willing to pause.
Advice: Pay attention to patterns. Give yourself quiet time. Intuition strengthens when you stop overriding it to please others.
2. The ability to translate vision into execution
Creativity alone isn’t enough. What ultimately set me apart was learning how to work collaboratively with teams, contractors, creatives, and clients and turn ideas into tangible results. Whether styling a shoot or overseeing a renovation, success came from understanding process, communication, and follow-through.
Advice: Learn how things actually get done. Ask questions, stay curious, and respect the expertise of the people executing the work.
3. Resilience paired with adaptability
My path was not linear, and reinvention was not optional, it was necessary. Personal challenges forced me to adapt, recalibrate, and rebuild without losing myself in the process. Resilience isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about adjusting intelligently and staying aligned with your values.
Advice: Don’t cling to a single version of success. Be willing to evolve, integrate new skills, and redefine your path as you grow.
Ultimately, what I’ve learned is that longevity comes from integration, not abandoning who you were, but allowing each chapter to inform the next. Growth is less about speed and more about clarity, consistency, and trust in your own experience.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
Yes, I’m always open to thoughtful collaborations that align with my values and the work I’m building.
I’m especially interested in partnering with contractors, builders, developers, and real estate professionals who value design, quality, and long-term vision. I thrive in collaborative environments where creativity and execution intersect, where ideas are respected, and excellence is the standard.
I’m also open to select brand partnerships and creative collaborations that align with lifestyle, design, wellness, or storytelling, particularly those rooted in authenticity and purpose rather than trend.
For anyone interested in connecting or collaborating, the best way to reach me is through my website email [email protected] or via Instagram through my @PropertiesbyTT platform or @Tanyatamburinstylist platform. I believe the best partnerships begin with shared values, mutual respect, and a clear vision for what’s possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: Tanya Tamburin
- Instagram: @propertiesbytt. & @tanyatamburinstylist
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1ESkwMneyw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Linkedin: Tanya Tamburin
Image Credits
Images credits by Bella Bedrosian
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