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.

Butterfly Art

Check out this new art!  I love seeing something unusual yet practical to bring a little extra sparkle to a space.

These enchanting collections of butterflies come from The Butterfly People gallery, established in 1970 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  And don't worry, all the butterflies enjoy their short life span and die of natural causes before they're collected from around the world and preserved to create unique art that can last forever.

The tropical butterflies are stored in acrylic cases and I think they're beautiful on their own or as an addition to an existing art collection. They would be great in a child's room or above a sleek white desk.  The cases are also deep enough to stand upright instead of hanging on the wall, so they would work by a lamp on a console too.

Innovative Design in Architecture: 8 House, Copenhagen

A view of 8 house from above.

8 House in Copenhagen is an incredibly intriguing concept of sustainably mixing suburban and urban life, a concept which I believe will become increasingly attractive.  This building complex creates a full neighbourhood in one city block with an innovative design in the shape of a number 8.  Starting at ground level, the building height rises as it twists forming the number 8 before lowering back to ground level at the southwest corner.  This height variation creates amazing views over the Copenhagen Canal. 

A view from the center shows the different uses incorporated in the building design.

While the design is definitely visually stimulating, the idea behind the design to create a neighbourhood incorporating the best of the suburban and urban lifestyles is even more inspiring.   8 House is a mixed-use building, with offices, parks, retail and three types of residences providing nearly 500 homes.  Rather than zoning into sections, these uses are spread out horizontally throughout the building to create a thoroughly mixed environment.   But what I love most is the continuous pedestrian and bicycle zone that extends from ground level to the top of the building.

Habitat 67, designed by architect Moshe Safdie. 

Canada has its own sustainable, urban-inspired building complex: Habitat 67 in Montreal.  Habitat was designed by Canadian architect Moshe Safdie, creating nearly 150 residences with concrete blocks stacked in what looks like a haphazard pattern to a height of twelve stories.  The idea behind the design was to provide every residence with green space, fresh air and privacy within realistic limits of an urban space – a combination of suburban and urban environments.  In 1967, when sustainable building and living weren’t household concepts, this was a building beyond its time.  8 House reminds me of a new version of Habitat, with the design adjusted to the new century.

Your Condo + Your Yoga Practice

We all practice yoga at Condobox (well, everyone except Devon...but I’m certain she will slowly be converted). ;)

Practicing at home is oh so convenient, and yet—it is so easy to become distracted (especially in a small condo). I can see my kitchen from my mat and often catch myself day-dreaming about how I should do the dishes, or quickly realize while in downward dog that I need to clean my floor.

I also just find it harder to fall into a meditative space while in my living room—a place where I have parties, play loud music, and eat rather than at a yoga studio.

I’ve discovered a few things that can help make your practice space feel sacred—which in turn, help you to feel less distracted and ready to push up into full wheel...

1. Sweep the floors before you begin your practice and put away visible clutter.
2. Turn off your cell phone, shut down your computer and put in out of eye sight. The world is not going to come to an end if you do not respond to your e-mails right away.
3. Design a playlist that you love and turn it up load. Fill your space with sound. This will pull you out of your regular living room and take you somewhere special. I love Krishna Das.
4. Create an alter. At home, I have a beautiful glass Buddha head that I place on a table just a few feet in front of my mat before I practice. Flowers, photographs, rocks and crystals, or anything that makes you smile also works well.
5. Turn the lights down low – and light some candles. When the fire is burning, so is your intention (to practice). Candles are also a great thing to focus on during meditation.

Enjoy your practice! Let us know if you have any other suggestions.

Reinvent Yourself.

Reinventing public spaces is hot. Mixing contemporary design with historical buildings is big and sets the stage for a very unique design experience.

Maple Leaf Gardens recently transformed itself into a gigantic Loblaw’s. The idea of purchasing apples and milk on what was once a bed of ice where hockey legends frequented is enticing. Shoppers travel near and far for this unique shopping experience. 

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Over the last few years, Churches have also become very popular places to redesign into homes or condos. The neo-gothic church on 701 Davenport road have been converted into ‘The Church Lofts’ – beautiful condos with high ceilings, exposed brick walls, open concept floor plans—and stunning stain glass church windows.

What other places in the city do you know of that have been reinvented?