In 1978, when Monica Costandi started a craft shop in her Queen Street garage in Truro Nova Scotia, she had no idea what was in store for her startup venture. Initially a retail operation, Monica sold chair pads, placemats, oven mitts, potholders, and small kitchen items to the local community.

In 1980, the company began to see the value in wholesaling these products to retailers like Bass River Chairs, the Panhandler Group, and small independent retailers, and by the early nineties, manufacturing and wholesale activities accounted for 80% of the company’s sales.

In 1992, Monica’s son Karl took over the reins, and gradually changed the focus from wholesale kitchen items toward custom window coverings fine upholstery, and bespoke furniture.

In 1999, Karl’s wife Atousa joined the team to provide a growing clientele with the benefit of her trained eye and expertise in interior design. By 2004, Costandi Designs had earned a reputation for their excellence of service and craftsmanship, and in 2006, they were contracted to design and furnish the suites and eventually interior spaces throughout the world class resort at Fox Harb’r, Nova Scotia.

In 2019, Costandi Designs purchased the ‘old Home Hardware’ building on Willow Street in the downtown core of Truro and started an intense renovation to bring the space up to date, showcasing a modern vision for the future of the business. In September of that year, we opened the doors to a light-filled, larger showroom in which to serve our loyal customers, in the heart of the town that built us.  Our former locations served us well for many years, but this has proven to be an advantageous move, also giving us the space to grow our sister company, Alumarch.

Today Costandi Designs still provides a one-stop approach to create beautiful living spaces in the homes of those who appreciate the finer things.