attica two-time winner in best of halifax survey

Attica is thrilled to be selected once again in The Coast Magazine's Best of Halifax annual readership survey. Attica has the honour of being selected as the winner in two categories: Best Furniture Store and Best Home Accessories Store. Says one Coast reader: "They have the greatest variety of cutting edge furniture in the Maritimes, and probably on par with any in the country."

Suzanne Saul, co-owner of Attica, was quoted by The Coast: “With Chris [Joyce] and I being artists, we’re trying to be artful in what we select. We aren’t trying to be mainstream in what we do. We don’t go for one look. We want to satisfy different looks and content in a contemporary context. We’re not following any trends. Hopefully we’ve been setting them.”

For Best Home Accessories Store, Attica is now a Hall of Fame Inductee, because of its continuous mutiple wins. The Coast is now retiring this category from future Best of Halifax surveys.

The owners and staff would like to thank the readers of The Coast for their kind support and acknowledgement. Thanks so much!

meet dawn from update interiors

Every year in Halifax that it occurs, Attica is involved in a charity fundraiser for the Kids Help Phone, which employs the assistance of the local interior design community to decorate and furnish a home for public display. I remember several years ago, during the 2005 Kids Help Phone Designer Showcase there was a last minute cancellation by one of the decorators who was doing the large ensuite bathroom, and the team had to scramble to find someone to quickly take over and renovate the space.

The clock was ticking; there wasn't many weeks left before the room had to be photographed by Metro Guide Publishing for the magazine. As well, most of the decorators try to avoid taking bathrooms and kitchens for Showcase because they're more labour-intensive and it's difficult to coordinate all of the other suppliers, especially in a short amount of time.

Enter Dawn Munden from Update Interiors. She knew she didn't have much time, but she had a vision and a plan. Many of us who were working in teams at the Showcase house were a little concerned. We weren't familiar with Dawn and Update, and we were wondering if she could pull it off at such a late stage.

We didn't need to worry. Quietly and efficiently, she set to work, and before we knew it she had beautifully transformed the drab bathroom with a bold, contemporary design. On time, on budget and in style. She even took the time to help other decorators with their spaces and forge many lasting friendships.

Over the years we've seen Dawn's friendly face in the store numerous times, working on projects both large and small. She is very sensitive to her clients' needs and to their budgets, and works hard to make sure that her clients have stylish spaces that they are comfortable in and happy with for years to come. Update has built its reputation by decorating exceptional spaces from single family homes, condominiums, and corporate offices, to award winning retail show rooms.

Above: an open concept dining room and living room designed by Update Interiors; furnishings from Attica.
Above: a master bedroom and ensuite sitting room designed by Update Interiors; furnishings from Attica.

Above: an open concept condominium designed by Update Interiors; most furnishings from Attica.

To learn more about how Dawn Munden and Update Interiors can help you with your interiors, please visit: www.update-designs.com.

astonish me

“Etonnez moi! Astonish me!” These were the words of the French modernist, writer and dramatist, Jean Cocteau that resonate when we look at the new collection from 18 Karat, soon to be on display at Attica on Barrington Street in Halifax. From last season’s whiteness, this fall we’re moving into a burst of oceanic blue and orange accessories, so fresh and alive.

From there we go to the black and white cava vases, which tower a surprising seventy-seven inches tall. Added to this is an expansion of the furniture collection, with more variations in solid wood, marble, stainless steel, leather, wool and linen.

The beauty of the natural forms and the sensitivity to materials let the forms stand the test of time. So, come to Attica and be astonished with something new.

fireland cherry

Attica is thrilled to bring back the Corteza collection, made from Fireland cherry. Fireland cherry, as it is commercially known, is grown in cold, mountainous terrain. The forests in Chile fall under rigid government control, a measure to ensure the sustainability and continuance of such environmental treasures.

The Corteza collection is particularly striking. The thick, solid top has a beautiful, smooth finish, with the edge showing the natural contours of the tree edge. On the dining table this is contrasted by the dark, rectangle base.

The Corteza buffet, as well, features a dark wooden frame which allows the eye to follow the sensuous, natural edge on the buffet doors.

This is repeated on the Corteza coffee table. The dark, simple block legs allow the viewer to focus on the luxurious edges of the table top.

Visit Attica to learn more about the Corteza and other environmentally friendly pieces of furniture.

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.

attica's anniversary sale on until august 15th

Come to Attica for a storewide savings of 15% off all instock, regularly priced items! Plus, there's other markdowns on select items, for a savings of up to 50%.

Check out the 15th anniversary sale at Attica, which is open seven days a week for your shopping convenience. Attica's 15th anniversary sale runs until August 15th!

found objects found in new furniture

Attica is carrying a new collection of furniture that combines new and old materials. The designer for this line sources materials that can’t be found in the market place such as discarded telephone poles and other flooring that is hundreds of years old, combined with new wood such as American walnut. There’s a beauty in discarded, and this distressed, patina on the wood is even more striking when juxtaposed with the smooth, clean material.