Ideal — Local services in Bellingham

Lisa and Kath are phenomenal hosts to an exquisite shopping experience. Their appreciation of good design is realized through a well curated "gallery store" that is home to a wide variety of reasonably priced design goods. Whether you're pondering a small gift for a loved one or something substantial for the home, you're likely to find something that catches your eye. The shop does well to celebrate everything from classic to contemporary, and puts an emphasis on honest, original design. It's one of the best shops downtown and a must-see for anyone visiting Bellingham for the first time. I've been enamored with the store since I moved to Bellingham in 2012 - the selection of products rotates frequently so there's always something fresh to enjoy, and I cannot say enough how wonderful the owners are. The two are incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. On top of that they are active members of the downtown community and have frequently partnered with the Industrial Design students at Western Washington University to showcase a selection of sustainable student design work in the "ReMade" showcase.

In my time in Bellingham I've had the pleasure of working for and with them and am happy to say that I've made life-long friends in the process! Go see them! Say hello, and maybe pick something up on...

The folks at Ideal are an absolute treat to work with. I came in looking for a gift for 13 (!) people (our bridesmaids). They only had 5 in stock of the piece I wanted, but Kathleen immediately called the artisan and asked if she could make more before I left in two days. She corresponded with me over text regarding the details and when they were ready to pick-up. This was a clear reminder why shopping local makes a big difference. Ideal is our...

This is one of my favorite stores for buying gifts. The owners and staff are so friendly and helpful and always help me find the perfect gifts in my budget. A lot of thought and attention goes into their selection process, so you really can’t go wrong here — and they get new items in all the time! It’s also my favorite spot for finding unique minimalist jewelry and cute kitchen items....