What is Ideal?

Ideal is a carefully curated shop composed of unique, design-conscious gifts and accessories. The objects we choose are creative, authentic, and refined. They are inspired by the vision of talented artists and designers from around the world.

Our store was formed with our own ideal in mind: that shopping should always be a personal and thoughtful experience.

Enjoy our blog and please come visit our shop in beautiful, downtown Bellingham. If you can't make it in, we take orders over the phone - just call (360-752-5522) or e-mail info@anidealshop.com.


Monday, June 15, 2009

First Anniversary Party and Sale - June 20!

Come and celebrate our first birthday with us! We're having a party in the shop on Saturday, June 20 from 10 am – 6 pm. The gathering also kicks off our first Anniversary Sale, with selected items in stock discounted 20%.

The sale runs from June 20 through July 20 but come early to get first dibs on objects of good design. The sale includes selected objects from dozens of designers, including Fatboy lounge bags, Acme Studio, NotNeutral, Areaware, and many more.

The first twenty customers to spend $20 will receive a complimentary gift, and we will be serving frosty root beer floats throughout the day.

Hope to see you Saturday!


Sunday, April 5, 2009

Sandy Chilewich - New York, NY

In her New York based design studio, Sandy Chilewich continues to discover ways to push textiles beyond their comfortable and sometimes monotonous context. Her woven vinyl, which has become her signature textile for tabletop, floormats and bags, is currently available in a wide selection of weaves and colors. Sandy’s passion is finding underutilized, often overlooked manufacturing techniques, and from them produce fresh, modern textiles.

Designed in New York, made in the USA.

Featured Products:

Shag Indoor/Outdoor Mats

Designer: Sandy Chilewich
Materials: Vinyl
Dimensions: Doormat - 18 x 28"; Utility Mat - 24 x 36"; Big Mat - 36 x 60"
Price: Doormat - $50.00; Utility Mat - $70.00; Big Mat - $155.00













Indoor/outdoor mats are equally at home indoors or outdoors, so liven up an entryway, bathroom or deck knowing that they're washable, quick to dry and resistant to mold and mildew. Please note that stripes run horizontally on doormats and big mats, and vertically on utility mats. Available in a variety of colors and stripes - call 360-752-5522 for more information. Shown above are bold stripe, mushroom stripe, and tangerine stripe.




Bamboo Weave Placemats


Designer: Sandy Chilewich
Materials: Vinyl
Dimensions: 14 x 19"
Price: $13.00 each












These lovely placemats are easy to care for - simply wipe them clean. The bamboo weave has a well-defined simplicity within its subtle textural weave that combines modern practicality with a serene Asian sensibility. Available in a variety of colors - call 360-752-5522 for more information. Shown above are Brick, Grey Flannel, and Lawn.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Teroforma - Norwalk, CT

Anna and Andrew Hellman of Teroforma set out to make thoughtfully designed objects for the table by orchestrating collaborations between a new generation of designers and some of the world's finest artisan-manufacturers. To date, they have created collaborations between 22 designers and artisans representing 14 different countries, 13 different languages, and 12 different time zones.

Featured Objects:


Set of Eight Whiskey Stones

Designer: Andrew Hellman, United States
Dimensions: 7/8"
Material: Soapstone
Price: $16.50, set of eight stones

As Teroforma co-founder Andrew Hellman points out, "some drinks need no diluting." Working with Vermont Soapstone (USA), Whiskey Stones are the perfect way to chill your next single malt just a touch without watering things down.




Avva Lens Tumbler

Designer: Thea Mehl, Norway; mouthblown in Czech Republic
Dimensions: 2-1/2" tall; 8 fl. oz.
Material: mouthblown non-lead crystal. Dishwasher safe.
Price:$25.00 each



The wide mouth and short profile make the Avva perfect for small quantities of high-quality whiskey. Polished by hand using a Japanese optical lens compound.




Oyyo Small Tumbler

Designer: Jan Knotec, Czech Republic
Dimensions: 3-1/2" tall: 10 fl. oz.
Material: mouthblown non-lead crystal. Dishwasher safe.
Price: $25.00 each


Subtle curves and flow in mouthblown, non-lead crystal. Made using traditional techniques without relying on lead - a small concession for the environment for a more considerate result. Dishwasher safe.