Behind the Scenes of a Custom Piece

The best thing about a custom piece is that you can realize an idea to the exact style, size and look you’re going for. Custom pieces are great if you have tight dimensions to work with, need the perfect colour to match your space or want a built-in wall unit with storage, a desk and shelving.

We’re currently working on a custom shelf to store books, DVDs and personal items.  The wall is 6’ wide and in a small bedroom.  Rather than a heavy wooden bookcase, we decided to go with a wall-mounted glass unit to bring a light and air feel.  A stag shelf seemed like the best option, with wooden panels and interchangeable glass shelves.

A stag shelf - the glass shelves and sleek lines don't impose on the space, they're light and barely noticeable.

A wooden bookcase – this works in a large space with lots of light but it makes this small room look cramped and gloomy.

At this point we usually sketch out a quick free-hand drawing of the idea we have in mind.  This allows us to see what our idea would look like before continuing with detailed drawings.

A very bad snapshot of my initial sketch.  It let me know I was on the right track, but a little too geometric maybe…

Next, we create a CADD drawing.  Here we include exact measurements and details.  This is the drawing on which we base the manufacturing of the piece, so exact details are very important.

The CADD drawing + dimensions of the stag shelf.  The shelves are glass and the panels are wood.

We then present the drawing to the client, usually with an example of what the final piece would look like.  This helps the client visualize the piece in their space.  When we get feedback we either make necessary changes to the drawing, or head straight into manufacturing. 

The top two images are photos of stag shelves we made in the past.

Our pieces are all made locally, in Vaughn.  6-8 weeks later, the piece is delivered to the client’s house, and installed.

And the final product?  You’ll have to wait and see…

Catch my Eye

We have an octopus in our showroom and is it ever causing a stir.

Customers are drawn towards the piece and can’t help but stop and stare. Maybe it’s the bold subject matter, Little Mermaid nostalgia, or the rich blue color palette.

Original Artwork by Bronwyn Loucks

Paintings can make big statements. Adding bold splashes of colour and creating an emotional charge within a space. 

Original Artwork by Bronwyn Loucks

Original Artwork by Anja Nurmi

Original Artwork by Anja Nurmi

Condo Life

Our lives are so much bigger than our condos. Living in a playground like Toronto, with a fiery nightlife, world renowned museums and art galleries, and restaurants to suit anyone’s tastes—it would be a mistake not to indulge in the fruits of the city.

Spending so much of our day outside, amongst the hustle and bustle of Toronto, it doesn’t make sense to own a massive 4 floor detached home (and honestly, who has the time to clean that much space?). And let’s face it; if you want to live downtown, condominiums are your best bet.

We recognize this at Condobox. In fact, we live it.

And we can make it work. Trust us; a 600sq foot condo is not as small as you think. Fill it with oversized furniture and sure, you might start to feel a little claustrophobic—but fill it with condo-sized furniture, with storage sofas and beds, and you can make your space work for you. 

With soft lighting, comfortable fabrics, and an overall design concept or gesamtkunstwerk as my Architecture Professor liked to call it, your condo can be your safe haven from the city lights.

Condo life is also just so convenient—and yes, a little luxurious. Many boast amenities such as outdoor/indoor pools, steam rooms and spas. Festival Towers, for example, located at 80 John Street, has a Meditation Garden, a state of the arc fitness centre with a Yoga and Pilates studio, a cinema and lounge room, and room service! 

Taking all the fuss out of owning a home, with concierge and security at your finger tips, all you need to do is rest, relax, and unwind in your space.

Chair Love

Mantra of the Day: Never understate the value of a stylish and comfortable chair.

Walking west, down King East, I will forever have a smile on my face as I pass this ode to chairs. They get it, chairs are larger than life.

This is my kind of chair. The animal print is a nice touch - but in hot pink or deep red, this chair is on fire.

Cute, charming and unexpected. Maybe its the snowy weather, but I can't get over this fabric. 

finding YOUR perfect sofa | making peace with the word 'customizable'

You’re looking for the sectional. The one that you have been dreaming about—done in a dark charcoal fabric that matches the accents in your rug, with slim arms, and chrome feet. You have spent hours walking up and down King Street, searching for the physical manifestation of your vision—and have had no luck.

You walk into Condobox and see a sectional that comes close—but the feet are not chrome and it’s a light charcoal colour—not dark. Ai. 

                                                                      Another wasted day of searching...you think.

“This piece is customizable”. You hear one of the designers say.

Your stomach tightens up. “Customizable—that’s got to triple the cost," you quickly retort.

She pulls out a book of fabrics and explains that customizing your sofa does not necessarily mean that it will be more expensive. Depending on the grade of fabric you choose, or the style of feet, it can actually be the same price, and occasionally cheaper, than the showroom model.

“Fabrics have grades?”

“Yes.” She replies, “Each manufacturer creates their own grade of fabric based upon the cost of manufacturing the fabric—while some higher grade fabrics are more durable and versatile than lower grade fabrics—this is not always the case.”

“Huh.”

As you pick out the dark charcoal fabric swatch and choose the chrome feet, you sink a little deeper into the sofa, relaxing your shoulders and breathing a sigh of relief. In six to eight weeks you dream sectional is going to be delivered to your home. Your search is over.

And then, just to make your day sparkle a little more, the designer tells you that your piece, and most of the other styles of sofas, ottomans and beds in the showroom are on sale for 20% off until the end of January 2012. Woo hoo!

***

Bring in your paint swatches, pictures of your room + dimensions and take full advantage of our designers expertise. Receive complimentary design service in the showroom when choosing a furniture piece from Condobox—and until the end of January, get an extra 20% off most of our furniture pieces!

New Years Resolution : Slim Down!

No, I’m not talking about losing those extra 5 pounds--I’m talking about losing the stuff, the junk, and the random things that float around your condo creating clutter.

Recycle the magazines you never read, donate the trinkets on your coffee table, walk up to your bookshelf and carefully consider whether or not you will ever read that book again--and then donate that third year Econ textbook.

Sifting through and reducing the number of things in your condo is like breathing fresh air.  It creates space for increased relaxation by cutting back on the amount of visual stimulus that could otherwise create feelings of anxiousness or stress.

Take it from me. I’m a very visual person. As soon as I walk into a shopping centre, or downtown Toronto, the collage of colours, flashing lights and people is overwhelming. There is too much to see and take in, too many colours, things, and patterns. I feel exhausted. When I come home at night, to my colour co-coordinated and streamlined condo, I immediately feel peaceful and focused. Our environment truly does affect how we feel.

Outside of slimming down on your goods, the design + furniture in your space also has an impact on how spacious and clutter-free it feels.

At Condobox, we carry condo-specific furniture. What this means is that we do not sell bulky sofas that will consume most of your living and dining room space. We sell condo-sized sofas that are slim and modern with options for storage underneath the cushions—a great way to stow away books, blankets, and seasonal decor. When designing a bedroom for a client, we encourage them to consider a custom closet unit. Extra shelving and drawers inside your closet encourages organization. Imagine walking into your closet to feel inspired rather than overwhelmed by the shoes, t-shirts and tights flying everywhere.

Glass pieces, like our Calvin coffee table, also reduce the visual 'weight' of furniture. They are airy and light rather than heavy and dense like a traditional wooden coffee table.

The Calvin Coffee Table comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. 

So this year, make a commitment to honor yourself and the space you live in by reducing the amount of 'stuff' floating around the counters and purchase condo-friendly furniture. You will feel more inspired, energized, and ready to take on the world outside of your condo. 

 fall in LOVE with your space.

Xmas and the City

Here at Condobox, we like to throw parties. On December 15^th we rang in the season with Xmas and the City, a holiday party for our clients. The event was hosted by Joanna Kakkavas, CEO and President of Condobox.

Joanna Kakkavas, CEO and President of Condobox.

CX sponsored Candy Cane Martinis and prosecco were floating around the room as candles twinkled and music rolled. Delicious hors d'oeuvres and boxes of Christmas chocolate were always at hand—

To view more pictures from Xmas and the City, check out our Facebook Page.

And this years holiday party was particularly special—through a silent auction, we helped to raise funds for CX’s own charity, The Open Box Foundation (www.openboxfoundation.wordpress.com).

Stools, a bar cart, beautiful artwork, a CX design consultation, lamps, and a gift certificate from our showroom were a few of the items donated by Condobox, that were featured in the silent auction. And what a success it was—that night, $2350 dollars were raised for the Open Box Foundation. 

Me (Bronwyn Loucks) and Philip Unrau from Central Neighbourhood House.

As the New Year rolls in, we are excited to work with the Central Neighborhood House on more Open Box projects and to continue to provide excellent interior design + furniture packages to our Toronto Community.

Wishing everyone a wonderful 2012!