It’s in the heart of the popular Inglewood neighbourhood with all its unique business ventures.

And DaDe Art & Design adds a different twist to the retailers that dot the 9th Avenue S.E. landscape.

“We’re a really unique concept for Calgary,” says Darcy Lundgren, who owns DaDe Art & Design Lab with Greg Fraser. “What we’re doing is we’re focusing on local artists, but we’re importing furniture from all over the world.

“Right now, we have 15 local artists. Anywhere from blown glass to metal sculpture to silver work to artwork on the walls. Just a very dynamic group of artists that we’re working with.”

The gallery is set up for exhibition space and part of their business plan is renting out the space for private functions and events. There is a rotation of events every six weeks with the artists.

DaDe Art & Design Lab opened in 2009. It is in 3,000 square feet of space. The building was originally a radiator shop. Three garage doors open into the building.

“I’ve been designing high-end residential for 20 years,” says Lundgren. “This has always been a dream to move into the interior design, but offering clients just something unique and very different. Everything we have for product — the furniture, the artwork — it’s all exclusive to us.”

Items range in price from $200 to $20,000 for a sofa.

There is also unique wood product salvaged from buildings slated for demolition in Beijing.

“Our craftsman over there dismantles old factories and warehouses and saves the wood,” says Lundgren.

“Our antiques range anywhere from 100 to 200 years old from China. There’s a library cabinet, wedding cabinets. An altar table.”

The same craftsman does a stainless steel cabinet.

Lundgren says customers range from clients in their 20s starting a new home right up to retired people.

“It’s quite interesting that there hasn’t really been a common denominator so far. It’s just definitely people who want to spend their money on good quality original pieces other than just buying kind of what everybody else has.”

The business opened when other local furniture stores were closing.

“We have taken a huge risk,” says Lundgren. “The year has been quite amazing. The art especially has been doing really well. People are really supporting our artists.

“But we’re not out of the woods yet. We have a long ways to go to let people know that we’re here.”