One of the many joys that come with working at a magazine like WL is being surrounded by creative folks on all sides. There are the talented people with whom I work every day, who write the words, capture the photos and design every part of this beautiful (if I do say so myself) publication that I love so much. And there are all those people whom we spotlight every month: the designers and architects whose talent and creativity make Western Canada a design destination that’s admired around the world.

Creating those gorgeous designs (and this magazine) is mostly about hard work, day in and day out, rather than one moment of inspiration or genius. But most creative people will also tell you that their artistic well needs to be fed, too. And no matter what field of work we’re in, finding those happy places in life can be an essential part of what keeps us going—and what makes us human. (My own happy place is found early in the morning when I walk around Vancouver’s Lost Lagoon, where great blue herons practice the art of stillness, and remind me to do the same.)

Our new back page, Mood Board, celebrates those personal moments that bring us joy, and all of the other ways that designers in Western Canada keep their creative wells full. Vancouver designer Kelly Deck is in the spotlight this month, and I particularly love her thoughts on Waterlily House in London’s Kew Gardens, and why that place is a go-to for her when she needs a creative boost. When she witnessed the giant lily pads there for the first time, she says she

“felt like there was still magic in the world.”

Anicka Quin , Editorial Director

anicka.quin@westernliving.ca

Follow Anicka on

Instagram @aniqua

6 J uly/August 2023 / westernliving.ca

Anicka Quin portrait: Evaan Kheraj; styling by Luisa Rino, stylist assistant: Araceli Ogrinc; makeup by Melanie Neufeld; outfit courtesy Holt Renfrew, holtrenfrew.com westernliving.ca ceo & group publisher Ryan Benn group vp, publishing & operations Nina Wagner editorial editorial director Anicka Quin editors-in-chief Nathan Caddell ( BCBusiness ), Janine Verreault ( Vancouver magazine) associate editor Alyssa Hirose assistant editors Kerri Donaldson, Rushmila Rahman editor-at-large Stacey McLachlan wine and spirits editor Neal McLennan contributing editors Melissa Edwards, Amanda Ross, Julie Van Rosendaal editorial interns Astrid Agbayani, Tanushi Bhatnagar, Kikachi Memeh email mail@westernliving.ca design senior art director Jenny Reed art directors Stesha Ho, Edwin Pabellon sales representation director of sales Anna Lee senior media specialists Brianne Harper, Mira H ershcovitch, Charie G. Ilon, Amy LaJambe, Sheri Stubel sales specialist Roberto Diaz email sales@canadawide.com production/administration group vp education and administration Jane Griffiths vp of hr/admin Joy Ginete-Cockle production manager/digital ad coordinator Kim McLane production support technician Ina Bowerbank director of circulation Tracy McRitchie circulation Kelly Kalirai executive assistant Hannah Dewar publisher emeritus Peter Legge, OBC, LL.D (HON) finance group vp, finance Conroy Ing, CPA, CMA vp of finance Sonia Roxburgh, CPA, CGA accounting Terri Mason, Eileen Gajowski