How Chillax Studio turned a creative hobby into a thriving community space

We recently sat down with Chris, co-founder of Chillax Studio, located in downtown Toronto, to learn more about how the business began and how it grew into one of Toronto’s most recognizable creative workshop spaces. What started as a simple pandemic discovery eventually became a thriving destination for hands-on artistry and community.

How it all began

Like many people during COVID, Chris and his partner,Khloe,were looking for hands-on ways to unwind. They had always been crafty and loved making things, but tufting immediately stood out. The process felt therapeutic, calming and surprisingly satisfying. By 2022, they decided to turn their passion into a serious venture. That idea became Chillax Studio.

“We wanted people to experience the creative process,” Chris said. “That is how Chillax was born.”

How the workshops expanded

Tufting was the first workshop and quickly became the studio’s signature experience. Guests loved creating colourful, tactile rugs and art pieces they could proudly take home. As the studio grew, Chris introduced new experiences that offered something different.

The second workshop was silver ring making. It added a more delicate, detail-oriented craft to the lineup and offered visitors the chance to create something they could wear every day. “People attached meaning to jewellery,” Chris said. “That sentimental value made it special.”

The studio later added a mosaic workshop, bringing in bold colours and projects people could use at home. It also became a favourite for date nights because couples enjoyed building something together.

The challenge of growing a creative studio

Scaling a hands-on creative business was not easy. For Chris, the hardest part was maintaining consistent quality as the team expanded.

The shift from doing everything personally to managing a larger group required investment in structure and training. “We had to build a system that protected the customer experience. The work was demanding, but seeing guests leave proud and excited about what they had made the effort worthwhile,” he said.

Keeping quality at the core

Chillax Studio’s quality control approach was simple. No guest was ever left to figure things out alone. The team stayed close by, guiding each step and ensuring projects turned out the way participants envisioned. Every staff member received thorough training, so visitors felt supported from start to finish.

A memorable design that stood out

Among all the creations that had come through the studio, one project stood out for Chris. A mother and daughter once crafted a tufted portrait of their dog. The piece became so popular that others returned asking to make something similar. While Chris encouraged guests to create unique designs, that project remained one of the most memorable.

What guests loved most

Tufting remains the studio’s best-known and most requested activity. It was the workshop that put Chillax Studio on the map. But silver ring making grew quickly and became especially popular for birthdays, anniversaries and couple outings.

The spirit of Chillax Studio

As part of our conversation, we asked Chris three questions to understand the character and identity behind Chillax Studio:

1. If Chillax Studio were a person, how would he describe their personality?

Chris imagined the studio as creative, welcoming and confident.

2. If he could pick any celebrity or fictional character to visit the studio, who would it be and why?

He chose Tony Stark, noting that “he was innovative, detail‑focused and always building something,” which aligned perfectly with the studio’s spirit of hands‑on creativity.

3. If Chillax Studio had a theme song, what would it be?

Chris chose Sunflower by Post Malone for its relaxed, upbeat vibe, a mood that reflects the atmosphere they aim to create in the studio.

Business banking and daily operations

Chillax Studio chose Moneris for payment processing because reliability was essential when workshops ran back-to-back. “You did not want payment issues,” he said. The system remained stable and easy to integrate.

A studio built on passion and community

Chillax Studio’s journey showed how a simple creative outlet could grow into a space where people connected, experimented, and expressed themselves. Chris and Khloe built a studio that blended craftsmanship with community, and every workshop reflected that spirit. Whether guests came to tuft their first rug, craft a silver ring or try something new, they left with more than a finished piece. They left with a memorable experience. Chillax Studio proved that creativity could be both relaxing and meaningful, and its impact continues to inspire those who walk through its doors.