AVD INSPIRE with Aly Velji

Alykhan Velji Designs
  • 0.0 (0)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

AVD INSPIRE is where global interior design meets unfiltered creativity. Hosted by designer and creative director Alykhan Velji, this podcast goes behind the scenes of the design industry with editors, makers, and artists redefining the spaces we live in. Each week, Aly lights a candle to spark the creative process and dives into raw, inspiring conversations about staying creative through the chaos. From big wins to flops—this is interior design with heart, humor, and zero ego. Think weirder. Design better. Trust your gut again. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s your creative spark.

  1. 11/21/2025

    Authentic Living & Timeless Design with MAURA DINEEN of MOE’s HOME COLLECTION

    The Season 2 finale of AVD Inspire is extra special — we took AVD Inspire on the road to IDS Vancouver and recorded live on the Main Stage. And joining me for the finale is the incredibly talented Maura Dineen, Creative Director at Moe's Home Collection. Maura pulls back the curtain on what it really means to shape a design-forward furniture brand – from in-house product development and global collaborations, to the quiet, behind-the-scenes role Moe’s Home plays as a “silent partner” for designers and retailers. Together, we dive into authentic living, timeless design, and why your home should be designed for you – not just for future resale. We talk about post-pandemic shifts toward more expressive, layered interiors, the rise of statement stone and coloured marbles, what type of furniture Maura is allergic to, and how empathy sits at the centre of Moe’s Home’s design philosophy. Maura also walks us through key pieces from the Fall 2025 Collection – from sinuous sofas to nostalgic storage pieces and soft, curved beds that bring warmth and tactility into the home. In this episode, we talk about Authentic living, designing your home for you, not for resaleMaura’s design confession: What type of furniture she’s really allergic toTimelessness redefined, empathy and end-user thinking as the true design North StarCreative inspiration: people-watching, travel, nature palettes, and real lived-in momentsGetting unstuck by returning to the “why” and the client’s needs to recalibrate directionBehind the scenes: photographing collections in real homes and the art of flexible styling Sensory design: scents, music, and atmosphere as part of the interior experience Career evolution from visual planner to creative director, and the power of collaboration About Maura Dineen Maura Dineen is the Creative Director at Moe’s Home Collection, a family-run, design-forward furniture brand operating for over 25 years. Maura oversees the full creative ecosystem - brand and marketing, showroom experience, and product design and development - working closely with in-house and freelance furniture designers to create pieces that support designers, retailers, and design lovers around the world. Make sure to explore the Moe’s Home Fall 2025 Collection! Website: moeshome.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moeshome/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moeshome/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/moeshome/ Special Thanks to Our Sponsors INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so you can be inspired by the best of the future. Interior Design Show: https://interiordesignshow.com/home/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idsvancouver/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interior-design-show-ids-/ BUREAU Bureau is a furniture and design company specializing in workspace fit-outs and made-to-order furnishings. We believe that modern workspaces are decidedly unmodern, fixed on out-of-touch, catalogue cliché notions on what it means to make deep and meaningful work. Utilizing data and technology, we design spaces that flex and modulate to the ever-changing, often abstract needs and behaviours of its people, furnishing businesses with the tools they need to shape workspaces that work. Website: https://withbureau.com/ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bureau.global Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bureauglobal/?originalSubdomain=ca Follow Aly Velji Designs & the AVD Podcast: Instagram: @designs_av YouTube: Aly Velji Designs Podcasts Website: alyveljidesigns.com

    28 min

  2. 11/14/2025

    When Beauty Is the Awakening - The Soulful Path to Her Next Chapter: ODETTE by KELLY DECK

    Award-winning Vancouver interior designer Kelly Deck joins Aly live at IDS Vancouver to talk tranquil luxury, the renaissance of decoration, and the launch of her new wallpaper brand, Odette by Kelly Deck. They dive into how the best rooms evolve in layers, why “happy accidents” become defining design moments, and how to hold a vision while staying fluid on site. Kelly also shares the career pivot that reshaped her practice and why personalization, story, and textile layering are back in a big way. In this episode, we talk about Tranquil luxury and how Kelly builds calm, bespoke homes that age beautifully Decoration without apology, textiles, table settings, and narrative layers Odette by Kelly Deck, small-batch wallpapers printed in the UK Holding the vision, pivoting gracefully, and embracing “happy accidents” Career breakthroughs from HGTV to charting a luxury residential path Future of design personalization, AI, and designing teams of true specialists About Kelly Deck Kelly is expanding her creative world with Odette by Kelly Deck — a wallpaper house and e-commerce brand debuting with a collection of vintage-inspired patterns printed in England. Her awards and recognition include Western Living Designer of the Year – People’s Choice Nominee, House & Home’s H&H 100, and SBID International Design Awards – Shortlisted. A regular speaker at leading design events, Kelly’s projects span from modern city homes to coastal retreats, all unified by her signature ethos of quiet beauty and intentional living. Website: https://www.kellydeck.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/kellydeckdesign AVD listeners, make sure to take advantage of the exclusive access to Kelly Deck’s brand-new wallpaper collection, Odette! Head over to https://www.odettehome.com and use the code ALYSOIREE to unlock the private preview and pre-order your complimentary samples. Wallpaper sales officially open January 1, 2026, and our code will be valid for 25% off your first order until Valentine’s Day. Special Thanks to Our Sponsors HOMESENSE Endless Possibilities, Perfectly Priced At HomeSense, you’ll discover a never-ending assortment of quality home décor at exceptional savings. Whether you’re refreshing your space for the season or adding those finishing touches, every visit brings something new - and always perfectly priced. From modern accents to timeless treasures, it’s where inspiration meets discovery. Visit www.homesense.ca/en/storelocator to find a store near you. Instagram: www.instagram.com/homesensecanada INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so you can be inspired by the best of the future. Interior Design Show: https://interiordesignshow.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idsvancouver/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interior-design-show-ids-/ BUREAU Bureau is a furniture and design company specializing in workspace fit-outs and made-to-order furnishings. We believe that modern workspaces are decidedly unmodern, fixed on out-of-touch, catalogue cliché notions on what it means to make deep and meaningful work. Utilizing data and technology, we design spaces that flex and modulate to the ever-changing, often abstract needs and behaviours of its people, furnishing businesses with the tools they need to shape workspaces that work. Website: https://withbureau.com/ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bureau.global Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bureauglobal/?originalSubdomain=ca Follow Aly Velji Designs & the Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designs_av/ YouTube: Aly Velji Designs Podcasts Website: alyveljidesigns.com

    29 min

  3. 11/07/2025

    The Art of Brushstrokes and Breakthroughs - with artist ZOË PAWLAK

    Vancouver artist Zoë Pawlak joins Aly Velji to share her journey as an artist, creative collaboration, and how she pushes herself to expand herself beyond the traditional canvas. We get into original art vs. planned obsolescence, fashion and rug collaborations, collecting with intention, and why creative discipline matters as much as inspiration. Recorded live at IDS Vancouver inside our custom booth by Bureau. In this episode, we talk about Why spiritual wellness fuels creative flow Original art vs. planned obsolescence and how to build a meaningful collection From canvases to hand-knotted rugs, fashion collabs and the Vessels & Muses Oracle Deck: making art you can live with The real economics of a working artist: pricing, partners, and creative capacity Why collaboration (with makers, brands, designers) elevates the work Travel as muse: LA, NYC, Mexico City, New Mexico skies - and the permission to rest Zoë’s favs: music, mood, and studio rituals (yes, one song on repeat counts) About Zoë Pawlak Zoë Pawlak is a Vancouver-based artist known for telling honest, vulnerable stories through painting, drawing, and industrial design. With 18 years of professional practice, her work explores emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness. Her latest creation, the Vessels & Muses Oracle Deck, pairs 40 of her artworks with journal prompts for daily reflection. A graduate of NSCAD and Concordia with studies at Universidad de las Américas, Puebla, Zoë’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Interior Design, and Martha Stewart Living, and collected by the Government of Canada, Cobie Smulders, and Club Monaco. Website: https://www.zoepawlak.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoepawlak/ Substack: https://zopawlak.substack.com/ The Vessels & Muses Oracle Deck: https://www.zoepawlak-oracledeck.com/ Special Thanks to Our Sponsors SILK & SNOW Better Materials, Thoughtfully Made Silk & Snow is a Canadian home goods brand creating beautifully crafted pieces from high-quality, responsibly sourced materials — designed to elevate your everyday. From mattresses and modular sofas to bedding and décor, everything they make blends comfort, quality, and conscious design. Visit silkandsnow.com or explore their stores across Canada. Instagram: www.instagram.com/silkandsnowTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@silkandsnow INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so you can be inspired by the best of the future. Interior Design Show: www.interiordesignshow.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/idsvancouver/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/interior-design-show-ids-/ BUREAU Bureau is a furniture and design company specializing in workspace fit-outs and made-to-order furnishings. We believe that modern workspaces are decidedly unmodern, fixed on out-of-touch, catalogue cliché notions on what it means to make deep and meaningful work. Utilizing data and technology, we design spaces that flex and modulate to the ever-changing, often abstract needs and behaviours of its people, furnishing businesses with the tools they need to shape workspaces that work. Website: withbureau.com/ca/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/bureau.global Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/bureauglobal/?originalSubdomain=ca Follow Aly Velji Designs & the AVD Podcast: Instagram: @designs_av YouTube: Aly Velji Designs Podcasts Website: alyveljidesigns.com

    25 min

  4. 11/03/2025

    Confessions of a Design Powerhouse - with KARIN BOHN of HOUSE OF BOHN

    Award-winning Vancouver designer Karin Bohn—founder and creative director of House of Bohn and host of Netflix’s Restaurants on the Edge—joins Aly Velji live from IDS Vancouver to talk about creativity, collaboration, and the courage to scale back to move forward. This conversation dives into the highs and lows of being an entrepreneur, creative burnout, and how to build a business with soul. In this episode, we talk about • The evolution of House of Bohn and building a West Coast design brand • The reality of creative design concepts vs. what actually gets executed. • Why “smaller team, bigger impact” can be the smartest creative move • The TikTok-ification of design and how social media warps taste and process • Collaboration, community, and saying yes to projects that stretch your craft • What’s actually on Karin’s playlist and what keeps her grounded • Design heroes from Kelly Wearstler to Ferris Rafauli—and what they teach about rigor and risk About Karin Bohn Karin Bohn is the Founder and Creative Director of House of Bohn, an award-winning Vancouver-based interior design studio celebrated for its bold, eclectic, and timeless aesthetic. Since launching in 2009, Karin has redefined modern interiors across luxury residential, multi-family, restaurant, and hospitality spaces—establishing House of Bohn as one of Canada’s most influential design firms. Beyond her studio work, Karin is the design host of Netflix’s hit series Restaurants on the Edge, a sought-after keynote speaker at the Interior Design Show (IDS), and a regular voice in publications including The Globe and Mail, House & Home, and Western Living. Through her popular YouTube channel, she offers an unfiltered look into her creative process and entrepreneurial journey, inspiring a global community of design lovers and fellow creatives. Website: https://www.houseofbohn.comInstagram: @karinbohnInstagram: @houseofbohnYouTube: @karinbohn Special Thanks to Our Sponsors ROBINSON Lighting & BathBringing Homes to Life. ROBINSON Lighting & Bath is Canada’s largest retailer of lighting and plumbing. With 34 showroom and warehouse locations nationwide, they offer Canada’s best selection of design-forward lighting and bath products. Whether it’s a whole-home plan or the perfect statement piece, their design-savvy team helps bring every detail to life. Website: https://www.robinsonco.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/RobinsonLtgBath Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinsonltgbath/ INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so you can be inspired by the best of the future. Interior Design Show: https://interiordesignshow.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/idsvancouver/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interior-design-show-ids-/ BUREAU Bureau is a furniture and design company specializing in workspace fit-outs and made-to-order furnishings. We believe that modern workspaces are decidedly unmodern, fixed on out-of-touch, catalogue cliché notions on what it means to make deep and meaningful work. Utilizing data and technology, we design spaces that flex and modulate to the ever-changing, often abstract needs and behaviours of its people, furnishing businesses with the tools they need to shape workspaces that work. Website: https://withbureau.com/ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bureau.globalLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bureauglobal/?originalSubdomain=ca Follow Aly Velji Designs & the AVD Podcast: Instagram: @designs_av YouTube: Aly Velji Designs Podcasts Website: alyveljidesigns.com

    28 min

  5. 10/24/2025

    Timeless Design & West Coast Soul - with Vancouver Interior Designer SOPHIE BURKE

    This week, my fellow design lover and friend Sophie Burke, joins me for another AVD Inspire episode inside our custom recording booth by Bureau x IDS Vancouver. She is the founder of Sophie Burke Design, an award winning Vancouver interior designer known for West Coast interiors with quiet luxury, subtle sophistication, and beautiful restraint. We talk about human centered design, heritage home renovation, why professional interior photography matters, and how collaborations elevate every project. From London design roots to Pacific Northwest style, this is a masterclass in timeless interiors you will actually want to live in. In this episode: • The West Coast style and Pacific Northwest aesthetic that define Sophie Burke Design • Human centered design and what livable truly means • Why timeless interiors are all about intentional layering, texture and patina  • The power of collaboration and community in modern design • Sophie’s design confessions — and the trend she’s ready to let go • Career breakthroughs, London beginnings, and a new chapter in Vancouver About Sophie Burke Sophie Burke is the founder and principal of Sophie Burke Design, a Vancouver based interior design studio recognized for creativity, subtle sophistication and attention to detail. Awards include Western Living Designer of the Year 2024 and House and Home Interior Designer of the Year, with features across leading Canadian design media. Her studio’s ethos centers on thoughtful design that supports wellbeing and stands the test of time Connect with Sophie Burke Website: https://www.sophieburkedesign.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophieburkedesign Special Thanks to Our Sponsors BRIZO®  BRIZO® is a luxury fittings brand for people who understand that fashion isn’t just about the clothes they wear—but their entire lifestyle. The high-end brand has a strong emphasis on refined style, design and trend, with a large variety of finishes and customization options. Full artistic collections that tell a story. The Frank Lloyd Wright® Kitchen Collection by Brizo® celebrates the spirit of a true visionary - a restless reinventor whose only constant was change, reveling in natural beauty, intentional asymmetry, and contrast, and looking not to the past but to the future. Get inspired and explore: brizofaucet.ca Subscribe for design inspiration: brizofaucet.ca/newsletter @brizofaucet | Pinterest | Facebook INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so you can be inspired by the best of the future. Interior Design Show: https://interiordesignshow.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/idsvancouver/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interior-design-show-ids-/BUREAU Bureau is a furniture and design company specializing in workspace fit-outs and made-to-order furnishings. We believe that modern workspaces are decidedly unmodern, fixed on out-of-touch, catalogue cliché notions on what it means to make deep and meaningful work. Utilizing data and technology, we design spaces that flex and modulate to the ever-changing, often abstract needs and behaviours of its people, furnishing businesses with the tools they need to shape workspaces that work. Website: https://withbureau.com/ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bureau.globalLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bureauglobal/?originalSubdomain=ca Follow Aly Velji Designs & the AVD Podcast: Instagram: @designs_av YouTube: Aly Velji Designs Podcasts Website: alyveljidesigns.com

    23 min

  6. 10/17/2025

    Confessions of a Lighting Genius - with Founder/Creative Director MATTHEW MCCORMICK

    Season 2 of AVD Inspire continues live from IDS Vancouver inside our custom recording booth by Bureau and this one’s a total glow-up! Aly sits down with Matthew McCormick, the brilliant mind behind Matthew McCormick Studio, to talk about all things light, creativity, and collaboration. Known for his sculptural lighting and quietly powerful presence in the global design scene, Matthew opens up about his creative process, career-defining moments, and what it really takes to make lighting unforgettable. This episode is packed with inspiration, humility, and design confessions that will change how you see the light.  About Matthew McCormick He is the Founder/Creative Director of Matthew McCormick Studio, an award-winning lighting design studio based in Vancouver. His sculptural creations explore the intersection of art, architecture, and engineering, bringing depth and emotion to the spaces they illuminate. Matthew’s work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Wallpaper, Azure, and Vogue Living. From intimate residences to international design exhibitions, his pieces reflect a refined sense of craftsmanship and curiosity that continues to shape modern lighting today. Connect with Matthew Website: https://www.matthewmccormick.caInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.mccormick Special Thanks to Our Sponsors MASTERGRAIN The Canadian brand redefining modern living with premium fiberglass entry doors, available across North America. At MASTERGRAIN, we believe a door is more than just an entryway—that's why we're committed to building the best door on Earth. Born from precision tooling expertise, our journey began in 2008 when Weber Manufacturing Technologies in Midland, Ontario, set out to redefine what's possible in entryway design. Every door we create begins with craftsmanship and comes to life through a fully integrated manufacturing process—designed, engineered, and manufactured entirely in Canada. The result: architectural doors that combine material integrity, design freedom, and a seamless aesthetic worthy of the spaces they define. EXCLUSIVE PROMO for our AVD listeners!  Get a FREE Tedee PRO Smart Lock when you purchase a MASTERGRAIN door system paired with a multipoint lock system (some T&Cs apply).  Simply enter the promo code MGTEDEE in the product field when you place your order. All the promo details are included below: https://mastergrain.com/fall-dm-get-a-quote/ Website : https://www.mastergrain.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mastergraindoors/ INTERIOR DESIGN SHOW As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so you can be inspired by the best of the future. Website: https://interiordesignshow.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/idsvancouver/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interior-design-show-ids-/ BUREAU Bureau is a furniture and design company specializing in workspace fit-outs and made-to-order furnishings. We believe that modern workspaces are decidedly unmodern, fixed on out-of-touch, catalogue cliché notions on what it means to make deep and meaningful work. Utilizing data and technology, we design spaces that flex and modulate to the ever-changing, often abstract needs and behaviours of its people, furnishing businesses with the tools they need to shape workspaces that work. Website: https://withbureau.com/ca/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bureau.global Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bureauglobal/?originalSubdomain=ca

    27 min

  7. 10/10/2025

    The Art of Capturing Raw Emotion - with Photographer EMA PETER

    We’re keeping the Design Confessions rolling, recorded live from IDS Vancouver inside our custom recording booth by Bureau. Today I’m joined by the incredibly talented Ema Peter - an award-winning architectural and interior photographer whose images make you feel something. Ema’s work has that rare, emotional pull - the kind that stops you mid-scroll and makes you want to step right into space. We talk about the beauty of raw, honest work, the comeback of analog, and how to capture that spark that makes a photo unforgettable. From her early days at Magnum in Paris to shooting globally recognized projects, Ema’s philosophy is simple but powerful: create work that truly touches people. In this episode, we talk about: • Why raw work moves people and why imperfection can be magic • How to photograph spaces that tell a story and stop you in your tracks • The creative comeback of analog and tactile inspiration • The balance between art and marketing in architectural photography • The danger of overusing AI and keeping design real and human • Why details often speak louder than wide shots • Ema’s design confession — and what she refuses to do the “easy” way • How music, mood, and intuition shape every shoot About Ema Peter Ema Peter is the founder and creative director of Ema Peter Photography, based in Vancouver. Since launching her studio in 2005, she has become one of Canada’s most celebrated architectural photographers, known for capturing spaces with emotion, precision, and soul. Trained in both the visual arts and photojournalism - with experience at the Magnum Photo Agency in Paris - Ema brings over 20 years of expertise and an unrelenting passion for her craft. Her work has been recognized internationally, earning awards from Architizer A+, Dezeen, Spotlight, Créateur Design, and more. Connect with Ema Peter Instagram: @emaphotographi Website: emapeter.com LinkedIn: Ema Peter Special Thanks to Our Sponsors EMTEK Personal style lives in the details. For over 40 years, EMTEK’s has helped design lovers transform houses into homes with customizable door and cabinet hardware. Each moment is an opportunity to express your taste and invite others to experience your home as only you can imagine it. Assembled to order in California with short lead times, helping designers make each choice a statement: your statement. FREE Finish Ring for Designers!  Visit https://www.emtek.com/finishring/ and use the Promo Code: AVD Website: emtek.comInstagram: @emtek_productsINTERIOR DESIGN SHOW As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, we bring together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent and key experts in the industry so you can be inspired by the best of the future. Interior Design Show: https://interiordesignshow.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/idsvancouver/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/interior-design-show-ids-/ BUREAU Bureau is a furniture and design company specializing in workspace fit-outs and made-to-order furnishings. We believe that modern workspaces are decidedly unmodern, fixed on out-of-touch, catalogue cliché notions on what it means to make deep and meaningful work. Utilizing data and technology, we design spaces that flex and modulate to the ever-changing, often abstract needs and behaviours of its people, furnishing businesses with the tools they need to shape workspaces that work. Website: https://withbureau.com/ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bureau.globalLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bureauglobal/?originalSubdomain=ca Follow Aly Velji Designs & the AVD Podcast: Instagram: @designs_av YouTube: Aly Velji Designs Podcasts Website: alyveljidesigns.com

    25 min

  8. 10/03/2025

    Magazines, Mentors & Modern Design - with ANICKA QUIN of WESTERN LIVING MAGAZINE

    Season 2 is here, design lovers! And I couldn’t be more excited to kick things off with someone who has been such a champion of my work and the Canadian design scene: Anicka Quin. She’s the VP of Content at Canada Wide Media and the powerhouse behind Western Living, Vancouver Magazine, BC Business, BC Living, and TV Week. Basically, she’s the woman keeping Western Canada on the design map — and doing it with serious style. Anicka and I go way back, and this chat feels full-circle. Usually she’s the one interviewing me, but this time the tables are turned. We dive into her unexpected path from music writer to magazine editor, the real secrets of what gets published (and what doesn’t), and of course her very first Design Confession. Spoiler: it involves rain showers and let’s just say…I know many of you can 100% relate! We also talk about the future of design, the rise of layered and lived-in spaces, and why AI can never replace the creativity, connection, and magic that real people bring to the process. Oh, and she shares her design heroes, favorite cities, and what’s on her playlist right now. (Yes, there’s a little George Michael love in there!) In this episode, we talk about Anicka’s journey from music journalism to award-winning magazine editor • What makes a home publish-worthy at Western Living • The design trend she secretly can’t stand • Why mentorship and happy accidents can change your career • How Canadian designers are shaking things up on a national stage • Timeless design, Paris cafés, and why George Michael always gets her on the dance floor About Anicka Quin Anicka Quin is VP of Content at Canada Wide Media, where she leads the editorial teams behind Western Living, Vancouver Magazine, BC Business, BC Living, and TV Week. Known for elevating Western Canada’s design scene to national recognition, Anicka has been at the helm of Western Living since 2010, guiding its legacy of celebrating architecture, interiors, and culture. Connect with Anicka & Western Living Instagram: @aniqua Western Living Magazine: westernliving.ca/subscribe Special Thanks to Our Sponsors ROBINSON Lighting & Bath Bringing Homes to Life. ROBINSON Lighting & Bath is Canada’s largest retailer of lighting and plumbing. With 34 showroom and warehouse locations nationwide, they offer Canada’s best selection of design-forward lighting and bath products. Whether it’s a whole-home plan or the perfect statement piece, their design-savvy team helps bring every detail to life. Website: robinsonco.ca Instagram: @RobinsonLtgBath Facebook: Robinson Lighting & Bath Interior Design Show (IDS) As Canada’s premier showcase of new products, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond, IDS is the platform to experience the importance of design firsthand, uncovering not just what’s new and what’s next, but taking part in the larger conversation around design. Experiential and transformative, IDS brings together compelling concepts, innovative products, upcoming talent, and key experts in the industry to inspire with the best of the future. Website: interiordesignshow.com Instagram: @interiordesignshow LinkedIn: Interior Design Show Bureau Bureau is a furniture and design company specializing in workspace fit-outs and made-to-order furnishings. We believe that modern workspaces are decidedly unmodern, fixed on out-of-touch, catalogue cliché notions of what it means to make deep and meaningful work. Utilizing data and technology, we design spaces that flex and modulate to the ever-changing, often abstract needs and behaviours of people, furnishing businesses with the tools they need to shape workspaces that work. Website: withbureau.com/caInstagram: @bureau.global Follow Aly Velji Designs & the AVD Podcast Instagram: @designs_av YouTube: Aly Velji Designs Podcasts Website: alyveljidesigns.com

    25 min
See All (19)

Trailer

About

AVD INSPIRE is where global interior design meets unfiltered creativity. Hosted by designer and creative director Alykhan Velji, this podcast goes behind the scenes of the design industry with editors, makers, and artists redefining the spaces we live in. Each week, Aly lights a candle to spark the creative process and dives into raw, inspiring conversations about staying creative through the chaos. From big wins to flops—this is interior design with heart, humor, and zero ego. Think weirder. Design better. Trust your gut again. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s your creative spark.

Information

  • Creator
    Alykhan Velji Designs
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alykhan Velji Designs
  • Show Website
    AVD INSPIRE with Aly Velji