from coffee table to dining table

Multifunction furniture is becoming more popular than ever, as many of us are moving to smaller homes and condos. Maximizing space while retaining functionality is what it's all about, and at Attica we have a number of furniture pieces that let you make the most out of your space.

A great example of this are the flexible coffee tables designed and made by Italian manufacturer Calligaris. With a touch of a button you can raise your table from coffee table height to dining table height in a matter of seconds. Some of these tables will seat up to six people.

Eleven height adjustable, expandable glass coffee table

Eleven height adjustable, expandable glass coffee table

Mascotte height adjustable, expandable wood coffee table

Mascotte height adjustable, expandable wood coffee table

Mascotte height adjustable, expandable wood coffee table

Mascotte height adjustable, expandable wood coffee table

Flexy height adjustable, expandable wood coffee table

Dakota Eleven height adjustable, expandable glass coffee table

Magic J height adjustable, expandable wood coffee table

Shown here are some of the versatile coffee table options from Calligaris. Visit us to find the perfect Calligaris coffee table for your home.

g.romano: great style event this february

For the month of February we're celebrating the great style of leading contemporary Canadian upholsterer G.Romano. Based in Montreal, G.Romano has been dominating the forefront in the country in introducing fresh, modern styles that are about the way that we live now.

During February, save on all G.Romano custom orders that you place:

• order 1 G.Romano item: save 5%
• order 2 G.Romano items: save 10%
• order 3+ G.Romano items: save 15%

granville bed - available with storage option

G.Romano Inc. is a family owned and operated manufacturer of contemporary upholstery, proudly making quality furniture in Montreal Canada since 1962. Focusing on well designed, fashionable furniture for today's modern home, G. Romano offers an unparalleled collection of contemporary furniture, hand built for your lifestyle.

montage sectional - various configurations available

axis sofa - down filled; available in a condo size sofa and chair

attica and first ever "dine by design east"

It was about two years ago when Halifax decorator Jonathan Legate came to me and said that he had an idea to bring the local design community together to do some good. He described an event that he had seen in major cities in the U.S., where designers and architects came together to create inspired dining spaces for the public to view and enjoy. He asked for help to make this happen in Halifax, and I immediately said sure, we can do this.

We prepared a presentation, and went to East Coast Living Magazine to be the owner and presenter of this event, which we later called Dine by Design East. They immediately recognized what a great fit it was, and excitedly came on board. A volunteer board was struck, and the hard work began. It was decided that the benefactor of this charitable event was to be NSCAD University, in memory of Amber Harkins, former graphic designer and editor of East Coast Living. A scholarship is to be formed in Amber's name.

So, after much deliberation and planning, physical work and community involvement, last week was our first ever Dine by Design East! Ten designers came on board and created ten dining room displays. Visitors commented on how imaginative and varied the displays were. We also featured ten top local chefs at our gala, who created finger food versions of menus inspired by our room displays. We were partnered with Paolo and Jane from Jane's Catering and Events (formerly Janes on the Common). Also at the gala were six pop-up galleries, samplings of local wines, spirits and beers, and music. What a fabulous evening it was!

Here are some pictures of the Attica display called "Dwelling", inspired by the mid-century bungalow, a time when good design was being brought to the masses, and the outdoors was brought indoors.

sofa and paintings by Christopher Joyce

 

 a close up of the Basil chair by Calligaris; bowls on wall by Global Views

 

 

 bowls on table by Jonathan Adler; table by Copeland Furniture

 

Case study planter; George Nelson bubble lamp

 

sofa and paintings by Christopher Joyce

 

sofa and paintings by Christopher Joyce

We're looking forward to Dine by Design East 2014, and have many new ideas for next year. To read more about this year's event, visit: http://eastcoastliving.ca/dinebydesign/.

thomas bina collection at highpoint

Last week at Highpoint we were thrilled to meet the designer and founder of Bina Furniture, Thomas Bina (pictured in the middle of Christopher Joyce and Suzanne Saul). Thomas Bina is a trendsetter in environmentally conscsious design. His eclectic and versatile furniture line is informed by a unique set of influences, from mid-century modern to old world craftsmanship.

The furniture combines reclaimed demolition hardwoods with steel and black walnut. Each piece is unique, with a patina that speaks of days gone by, with designs of today. Free-floating slabs as well as dovetail and mortise-and-tenon exposed joinery are some of the unique detailing features.






“We’re creating something that will stand the test of time, something that will have lasting value.” – Thomas Bina

attica launches online virtual warehouse

We have partnered with a grouping of major suppliers to showcase an exciting and eclectic online selection of furniture and accessories, such as Bina Furniture (shown below). While this by no means represents all of what we carry, it does show you a large number of available items with images, descriptions and pricing. As well, it lets you know if your selections are currently in stock in North America (the items are not necessarily in stock at our store). Please allow 3-8 weeks for delivery.

To access this website, please click here: Attica Online Virtual Warehouse. Username: user. Password: user.

grey and citron

From fabric to furniture to accessories, grey is the color of the year, and industry experts from Global Views say the color will be the hot neutral for a few years.

The grey neutrals can warm up with overtones of taupe and cool off to steel. Combined with camel and brown, grey takes a traditional path. But pair a cool grey with white and the effect is urbane and sophisticated.


Grey serves as an excellent neutral for every other colour. Saturated colours like chartreuse, turquoise or orange are balanced by grey, and it adds richness and depth to softer color schemes of celadon, pale blue and butter.

Citron, sometimes called yellowy green or chartreuse, is the perfect complement to grey, and is this season’s hot new color. For the past ten years green has been popular, and now we're into the very yellow shade of green. Like many other greens, citron mixes well with almost any color. The combinations make for a vibrant and exciting visual display.

live with what you love

Well, it's been such a busy couple of weeks, but I would be remiss if I didn't talk about what a great seminar we had at the store, "Live With What You Love", presented by Jonathan Legate. We were overwhelmed with the turnout, and Jonathan's topic was quite timely.

Now, more than ever, we look to our home to feel safe, to feel comforted. Home can be a sanctuary, and a place that you love to be in all year around. It's not a place that you decorate for others, but create as a haven for yourself.

Said Jonathan: "Living with what you love means gathering the things around you that mean something to you. It’s a process of gathering and collecting that takes time.

Living with what you love can mean displaying your collections, old photographs, art, grandma’s dining room table or anything else that means something to you. It’s about having the confidence to express your personal style and expose the true you to the world."

To assist the audience members, Jonathan created four mini storyboards of four different rooms: foyer, living room, dining room and bedroom. Each of these featured something that the imaginary owner has collected, and served as inspiration for each room. With an artist's eye, Jonathan explained how each piece selected created visual balance and interest in the room.

Following the seminar was a question and answer period with Jonathan. Audience members weren't shy, and some were quite prepared for the day, and brought in binders of their rooms!

It was a great presentation, and we thank Jonathan Legate for helping us to commemorate Attica's fifteenth anniversary in such a special way with his seminar.

decorating with white

For years, many thought that white walls looked unfinished. Now, the trend is back to white, but with care to add warmth and texture to the room. This kitchen above, for example, features white; it is kept monochromatic with the white walls, white cupboard and counters, and white marble floor.

It's not, however, by any means boring. Visual excitement is added through a variety of elements. The grey marbling on the floor and wall carries the eye up and across the kitchen. A bold collection of large handmade vases by Eighteen Karat captivates and maintains interest through their commanding use of texture. The stainless steel counter adds the metal element to the room, while still reinforcing the neutral palette. The architectural Mu solid wood stools from Eighteen Karat provide warmth, while the reproduction print "Composing Chaos" from Eighteen Karat at the end of the kitchen lends pattern repetition to stimulate the viewer.

When carefully considered, white is not boring at all, but fresh and exciting.

jonathan legate to give free decorating seminar at attica on july 28th

"Live With What You Love": this is a free lunchtime decorating seminar by Jonathan Legate, being held at Attica on Wednesday, July 28th, from 11:45 to 1:00 p.m. A light lunch is provided.

His work is both contemporary and traditional, often in a surprising yet seamless integration. He has been featured in various media, and in spring 2009 was Canadian Home and Country’s first Nova Scotian cover in its 20-year history.

Driven not only by clients’ tastes and requirements, but by their personalities, Jonathan creates homes that express the essential natures of their owners. In this seminar, Jonathan will help to give you the confidence to create a personal space that you truly love.

Seating for this seminar at Attica, 1566 Barrington St., downtown Halifax, is limited, so please RSVP early by emailing info@attica.ca.

high polished stainless steel and chrome

Sometimes in the store I hear someone refer to an item as "chrome and glass" or "chrome and leather". Sometimes they are right in saying this, and sometimes they are not. We also carry products that are made from a high polished stainless steel, which is a much more labour-intensive process, and stainless steel commands a higher price than chromed metal.

While polished stainless steel has the shine of chrome, there are some other differences. Stainless steel resists attack by rust "all the time" while chrome plated steel resists attack by rust only until any flaw or crack appears or is created. It is then vulnerable to attack. A scratch on stainless steel, while unsightly, is not going to open a path for attack by rust.

Which is better? Well, it's not always clear. It depends on how well the chrome plating was done, what grade of stainless is used, and how the stainless was finished, as well as the exposure conditions. Purists, however, will prefer the polished stainless steel. It looks similar to chrome in it's mirror finish, but resonates more color, allowing you to see the true metal without it being covered by plating.