Bring on the Rain!

Last week, I bought a new pair of summer shoes. Tan-leather strappy wedges. Excited to head to a patio this weekend sporting my new purchase, my plans were quickly halted with the monsoon that poured down on Toronto. My precious new shoes wouldn’t leave their box--and I felt a bit caged in inside my condo.

But then again, staying inside for a night isn’t so bad. Here are a few things to do on a rainy night in your condo.

Clean up. I know cleaning may not be the most exciting thing to do—but having a nice clean space will make the rest of the night more enjoyable and relaxing. Put on some fun tunes, grab the swiffer, and give your condo a blitz.

Re-decorate. When it’s rainy (and the subway is flooded!), it’s hard to come and visit us at Condobox to purchase a few new pieces or get some design advice. But, there are lots of ways to give your space new energy with things you already have. Swap over photographs in your picture frames; change the throw blanket on your sofa; throw away wilting flowers and replace them with new flowers or an accent piece, re-organize your closet and shoe rack.

Make dinner. I have a bit of a habit of eating out—and being very lazy about making food when I’m staying in (too many nights of munching on quick eats like salsa and dip). If you have the time, make something delicious. Take the time to cut up the ingredients with care and present your dish with style.

Get cozy. Light some candles. Snuggle up in your favorite pj’s. Paint your nails. Read that trashy magazine you picked up at the gym. Set up a pinterest account. Enjoy the slow pace of a rainy evening at home. 

How can I make a small kitchen function best?

Christine, our first new Facebook 'like' won the opportunity to ask a CX Designer a question. Here is what she asked:

"How can I make a small kitchen function best?"

Many of our clients crave more counter space in their kitchens and an extendable dining room table that can comfortably sit 4-6 people. In cases like this we usually suggest two options.

1. A free standing island provides both casual seating with stools as well as extra counter space. When hosting a party, the island can also be transformed into a bar. A white lacquer island (like in the picture below) with clean lines will add a modern feel to your space.

CX Packages

Buying a new condo? Living in a condo that needs to be furnished and designed?

Let us take all the stress out of furnishing your space. Work with a CX designer and effortlessly

build your dream home.

At Condobox, we sell CX Packages for Condo Owners. They start at 15K and include all your furniture and complimentary interior design services. Its a great way to get high-quality and condo-sized furniture that fits and suites your space and lifestyle.

What does the 15K cover? Our packages start at 15K and are for condos up to 600 sqft. The 15K covers the cost of furniture for a living room, dining room, bedroom and den. You also receive 10 hours of complimentary interior design services. 

• 20K for 600-800sqft includes 15hrs complimentary design services
• 25K for 800sqft+ includes 20hrs complimentary design services

So, I'm interested, whats next? After you have a complimentary consultation with one of designers to make sure a CX Package is right for you, our designers will begin making floorplans of your space and picking our furniture and colours that will suit you style and lifestyle. CX designers will work with you from concept, to design, to delivery and installation. You can be involved as little or as much as you like.

Here are some pictures of recent CX Packages:

This is an example of one of our custom wardrobes--great for keeping your wardrobe organized.

Our designers can design a beautiful, comfortable bedroom for any size space. This bed is one of our storage beds, helping to maximize storage in small spaces.

This sofa has a double-sized pull out bed as well as storage.

Call us at 416.203.6813 or e-mail info@condobox.ca to learn more about our services and set up your complimentary consultation.

Looking Back: CX History

Our first logo!

The year was 2003. It was 10am on March 12^th. Roomy, a 800sqft furniture store opened its doors for the first day of business, ready to conquer the small space market. Joanna, owner, designer and the only employee of Roomy at that time, made her first sale that day– a sweet smelling candle for $4. Who knew that this would transform into what is now, Condobox.

Our first custom storage bed! At this time, we also offered custom artwork.

Joanna Kakkavas, CEO of Condobox, always says that when things are meant to be – they happen. In grade 9, Joanna remembers hearing the description of ‘entrepreneur’ in her marketing class for the first time, at that moment she said to herself “that’s going to be me” Fast forward 15 years later and not feeling very inspired by working for someone else (and frankly – sick of only being able to take 2 weeks of vacation) she knew it was her time to take a leap of faith and go for it on her own. 

July 10th, 2003. Roomy is featured in the Toronto Star.

Walking down King Street, Joanna stepped into a store that was selling wall beds that was very suitable for her concept of furnishing small condos.  The owner asked her where her showroom would be and she didn’t quite know, he happened to mention the building next door would be available for rent in two weeks and Joanna didn’t hesitate. When things start to flow you have to go with it—and move quickly! The next month, Roomy opened up on 250 King East.

Our first showroom! Now Yoo's Deli & Variety.

During the first year in Buisness, Roomy raised $900 for breast cancer (a modest start). Since the beginning, giving back to our community has been very important to us. We are so excited to have launched the Open Box Foundation Dec. 2011.

With only 25K in savings, just enough to cover first and last month’s rent and inventory – the business needed to take off quickly. And did it ever. Roomy got a lot of attention as being one of the only furniture store specializing in condo living. (In fact, Joanna only signed a two year lease – because she knew that if the business didn’t grow within two years, it wouldn’t be worth it.) Sure enough, within two years Roomy expanded to a larger location down the street, to its current location – doubling in size.

House and Home, 2003. Roomy is described as, "a mecca for condo and apartment dwellers"

That first year of business, Joanna remembers living very conservatively. Moving back in with her parents, she was able to reinvest all of her earnings into the business to make grow without over extending herself.  At the two month point, Joanna hired her first employee, Melanie, her accountant who still works with us today. Joanna knew she couldn’t focus on the big picture while focusing on the small details of the business at the same time. She also met local wood workers that first year after she was approached by a customer who wanted a custom side table.  In those days Joanna didn’t say NO, so she sought to find someone to build it. The next day a local woodworker came into the store just starting out who brought with him a beautiful handmade paddock wood vase.  Joanna showed him her sketch and the story continues as he to this day builds a lot of our custom designs for our clients.\

So many things were set into place during those first 12 months – business connections were developed, the Roomy brand started to spread throughout the city, and Joanna became known for her ability to make small spaces feel well.... Roomy.