Kit

I’ve visited Kit a handful of times. I can thank my boyfriend for introducing me to their store.
Their price range is along the lines of Crate and Barrel/​Renovation Hardware, but the difference is they carry a wide range of more unique products, that are best described as simple and good quality. (ex: Herman Miller, Marimekko, String, Hay and Kartell)
the helpful staff (minus or plus a couple of them) will help you out, letting you know about the origin of the product, if it comes in different sizes, colours, materials and so on.
They also carry some art and miscellaneous items from locals, helping support the community.

Kit is the only store I’ve found in Calgary that sells Herman Miller? (Correct me if I’m wrong?) There are a lot of furniture stores in town that sell reproduction pieces, some that even cost close to the originals, but Kit is the REAL DEAL. They carry many of the original versions of all the modern furniture reproductions you see in other stores. Don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against reproduction furniture, and I certainly can’t afford to buy all of my furniture from Kit, but it is nice to have a few special pieces.
One of the best things about Kit is the amount of pieces they have on display in the store. It’s a big space (for downtown) and it is jam packed with amazing furniture. One side of the store is almost entirely dedicated to chairs. They have a big display of 20 to 30 different kinds of chairs and stools. Some chairs can be also customized by choosing fabrics and materials. They also carry tableware, linens, lighting, and a few larger furniture pieces including beds, desks, tables and sofas.
I ordered four kitchen chairs and one office chair a couple of months ago. The sales person completely blew my mind when he suggested that I wait 2 weeks to place my order because a 15% off sale was coming up!!! That has never happened to me before! Usually if you ask about upcoming sales, sales people either lie or are not informed.
The only thing I can suggest to improve the experience at Kit would be for them to update their website. I love browsing a detailed website that is kept up to date with current stock and prices.

I’ve got Danish roots and spent quite a bit of time in Denmark itself, which is very famous and proud of its design/​architecture tradition. So I am sort of familiar with the products and designers of this neat little store tucked away into the former bakery of the Danish Canadian Club.
It’s not just Danish stuff though, although they do have some fine Jacobsen lamps, they’ve got a bunch of neat design homeware and furniture, like my favourite, the Eames Chair.
I mean, this is sexy furniture. Very sparse and simple, but elegant. Definitely a «look» that big box stores like IKEA (and Nood down the street) shamefully rip off.
It’s pricey, but it’s designer, and the pieces are built to last. The staff ain’t great sometimes, but it’s a good store to have in the city.

So 11 Ave — the Design District *sigh*
The Design District is actually really growing on me. As more stores jump on the bandwagon, it is starting to become an rather enjoyable Saturday afternoon stroll.
Kit is probably one of my favourite stores on the strip, mostly because the first time I went in there, the clerk made eye contact, smiled and said hello. All the intimidation of a fancy, semi-​European décor boutique kind of — dissipated.
The stuff they carry is great. A lot of local stuff (well, as in Western Canada) and a lot of stuff you can’t find anywhere else. The store isn’t huge but it has a kitchen section with everything from funky wine openers to matching placements, napkins and china (plastic china). It has a little boudoir section, with bedding and some bed frames and lots of upholstery options. Then it has the everything else section — living room, den, office. Couches, clocks, desks, chairs, throw pillows, bookshelves, ect.
I like it — it’s cute, it’s kitschy, it’s unique but watch yourself — it can be pricey.

This place has some pretty funky stuff!!!
Alot of the peices featured I haven’t seen anywhere else, so you know if you bring a peice home, it will be unique. Lot’s of décor and chairs that are «oh that’s so genius» and have multi-​purpose. The style is contemporary — moderne and prices are a bit on the high side.