At 29, Walker has carved a niche in Calgary’s cultural community by becoming one of the city’s most sought-after publicists. The vice-president of Bottom Line Productions, which handles publicity and communications for arts groups, Walker is the local marketing guru behind Broadway Across Canada shows such as Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Mamma Mia, and the upcoming Spamalot.

But unlike his professional persona—which requires he see and be seen at some of the city’s swankiest affairs (oftentimes he’s the one hosting the party!)—Walker is a man who prefers the comforts of home and the company of close friends.

Moving from Panorama in the city’s northwest, Walker moved into his 530-square-foot condo in March. Located in the heart of Mission on 4th Street SW (ironically the neighbourhood was formerly known as Broadway) he says, “Mission was the neighbourhood I wanted in terms of the lifestyle I wanted to have.”

An avid runner and health nut, the area affords him the luxury of walking to work, strolling to the local grocery store, or enjoy evenings sitting on his south-facing balcony. The location also lets him spend more time with best friend, Sprout, his nine-year-old Shih Tzu. Living close to work, he’s able to bring the pooch almost anywhere he goes.

From the moment you step through his front door onto the chocolate-brown hardwood, there is an undeniable sense of warmth about the space. Colourful pieces of artwork painted by friend Michelle Zapisocky decorate the walls, while family heirlooms subtly add character to the condo’s landscape.

His heritage is told by the few choice pieces around his home given to him by his parents, grandparents and other relatives. A pair of antique opera glasses once used by his great-aunt sits on a shelf near the door, next to his grandparents’ old telephone.

Around the corner and down the hall, a large window and patio doors light up the living room. Revealed its sleek and clean living space, uncluttered by too many knick-knacks, yet still comfortable and welcoming. An open kitchen off the living room lends a much larger feel. 

“I like to keep my life that way,” says Walker. “I love to have people over and to entertain and the open concept of this room is great for that.”

The kitchen boasts an art-deco countertop and is complemented by the subway-tile backsplash. The cabinets are dark brown, almost black, and the stainless steel Fisher & Paykel refrigerator lends to the kitchen’s symmetry.

Regularly getting up at 5 a.m. to head to the gym for a run and work out, the space is conducive to his active lifestyle. Every Sunday he spends his evening in the kitchen preparing meals for the week, from pre-blending protein shakes to making enough lunches to carry him through to Friday. 

However, it is the vintage white garbage can that really catches the eye. The large receptacle used to sit in a card shop Walker’s parents owned in Edmonton. He remembers loving its smooth curves and sleek lines as a child and took it with him when he moved to Calgary. He had it restored to its original glory at an auto mechanic’s shop, having the dents and bruises it suffered over the years removed and painted over.

Off the living room and behind two French doors is his bedroom: Walker’s sanctuary from the chaos of his professional life. It is filled with memories from his childhood and reflections of his personality.

Beside each door is a Ukrainian print, an expression of his heritage and his former career as a professional dancer with Edmonton’s Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. An old chest his grandmother used to travel with sits at the foot of his bed and is now his hope chest. On his nightstand sits an antique bowl and a framed photo of four generations of women in his family, including his grandmother as a young girl. 

Outside the French doors, facing the bedroom is a vintage mushroom-shaped record player his parents bought on their honeymoon. In mint condition, the record player still works and includes the original speakers.

It is personal touches like these that truly tell Walker’s story about who he is and where he came from. He displays them like badges of honour and is proud to tell share the details of their heritage with anyone who asks. “I’ve never been happy than I am right now,” says Walker. “I feel like everything is the way it’s supposed to be.”