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May 2024 by Pauline Tusher
I love this. Store. You can’t leave without finding more than you intended. Margaret has a great eye. THE place to go for gifts, enjoy?
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January 2024 by Dean M
A great selection of gifts for every occasion. If you don't see something, ask; there are goodies buried all over. The owner is wonderfully kind and always keeps track of what my wife was eyeing the last time she was in.
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January 2024 by Dean McCauley
A great selection of gifts for every occasion. If you don't see something, ask; there are goodies buried all over. The owner is wonderfully kind and always keeps track of what my wife was eyeing the last time she was in.
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August 2023 by Deborah G.
What a treasure trove! Within a relatively small space this shop has hundreds of delightful items for your home, your friends, and yourself. Lovely scarves, unique jewelry, clever housewares, and art by local artists. Picked up a charming, one of a kind vase by a local artist, very reasonably priced; had a nice conversation with the proprietor. Will definitely return, and can whole-heartedly recommend this "hidden treasure."
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March 2023 by Mary Valente
This is a charming shop that has everything: unique decorative items, leather products, jewelry, gift options, cards, table linens... and more. Whether I'm looking for inspiration or a very last minute gift, it never disappoints. I can't imagine Larkspur without L'Ambiente.
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July 2022 by Sharon R.
After looking at a home in Larkspur, I set out to explore the downtown area with my 2 dogs. Everyone was welcome and friendly, truly making me feel welcome at home UNTIL I went into this store. The clerk - an elderly woman with her arm in a sling - was engaged in a conversation with a priest and ignored me as I walked in to ask the price on tote bags hanging outside the store. She reluctantly came out without a hello or gesture, looked at the bag, told me the price and went back to her conversation inside. Another shopper and I got into a conversation outside of the store while the shop dog (and elderly black lab) roamed in and out meeting and greeting people. It had been such a magical day I decided to purchase the bag as sort of momentum. The bags were tangled and the other shopper and I spent about 10 minutes getting the one I wanted out while the clerk continued in her conversation. Excited for my purchase I walked in with my 2 very small, very well behaved dogs who had been engaging with her dog for the past 15+ minutes. As I approached the counter there was no "hello", no "can I help you" just "are they male or female?". I assume she was asking because her dog might not be friendly towards one gender or the other so I told her they had all been outside together and she went off on the tirade about my male dog lifting his leg and peeing. First of all, my rescue dog was so badly abused before I found him that he doesn't even know how to lift his left and because he was crated for 3 years of his life he only pees 2xs a day. She went on to say that it had happened before and told me to take him out. It was very insulting, rude and completely uncalled for. I have worked in retail and owned an art gallery and I understand that accidents happen but to greet someone with such aggression was completely uncalled for and yes, I said some unkind words and left without making my purchase. I see now that it says no dogs but if there is a dog roaming in and out on the street and no signage I would assume - like EVERY OTHER store in Larkspur that greeted me and my pets with warmth and welcoming - that this one would as well and we didn't even shop in the store but only went in to ask for help and make a purchase. I won't let her ruin an otherwise lovely day but I certainly will never give them my business or visit again and I would encourage other shoppers to give their business to the other merchants who actually speak to you, greet you, offer help and treat you and your pets with respect. This person - who it seems others have complained about as well - needs to either be fired or retired! There's no excuse for rudeness. Well, unless you are mean to my dogs then the gloves come off.
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March 2021 by Aimee M.
Shopping at this store is such a treat! The owner, Margaret, perfectly curates unique items from afar and brings them to the charming Larkspur town. Her window displays are gorgeous and such a sight for the eyes! If you're looking for beautiful, high-quality gifts and home decor this is the place.
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April 2019 by Jani O.
L'ambiente is a charming shop with a myriad of home decor, bags, candles, jewelry (the list goes on) in a range of prices. For such a small shop they have a bit of everything. I found a lovely olive wood cutting board for $24! Margaret, the owner has an eye for the unique and is a sweetheart. She is always ready to help but if you just want to browse she doesn't hover -- which is a delicate balance. I go to Marin every couple of weeks and my trip would not be complete without a stop at L'ambiente.
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April 2017 by Michele Sarlat
I have never been treated so poorly in my life by, I later learned, the owner of this shop, "L'Ambiente", which carries the most beautiful, tastful and elegant merchandise.
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April 2017 by Dan Joseph
Nice window displays.
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August 2016 by Frannie P.
LOVE THIS STORE!!! Has so many cool little and big things. Every time I go I find something new. Don't be in a hurry becasue you will get overwhelmed. Margret has it packed full of great stuff. And the prices are good! Especially for Marin. I order a lot of stuff on-line but nothing compares to being able to see it and touch it in the flesh. I just bought her out of big Pots. Can't wait to see what she orders to replace them :)
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July 2016 by suzanne r.
This is THE place to get a great gift or something fabulous for yourself. High end, unique handcrafted selections along with gorgeous jewelry. Love the owner who is always helpful, knowldegable and courteous....she knows her artists and vendors and has a reputation that is unsurpassed. I am utterly shocked over the review from M.S.!!!! AND to say that Coquelicot said those "rumors" about her, I would find untrue and tacky....shameful really. L'Ambiente owner is known in Larkspur as the "Angel" in town.
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June 2016 by M. S.
I have never been treated so poorly in my life by, I later learned, the owner of "L'Ambiente", on Magnolia the Main Street of historic Larkspur, which carries the most beautiful, tastful and elegant merchandise. I walked into the shop and as I shopped, answered texts on my cell phone that required immediate attention. At one point, I asked the owner about some beautiful jewelry that I saw displayed which interested me. I never spoke on my cell phone. I was in the shop for a total of 10 minutes at which point, the owner, approached me and asked me to leave her shop saying that I was completely rude in working on my cell phone while in her shop and claiming that I had been in her shop for a half hour, which was not true. I told her that although I love her merchandise and could have been interested in making purchases there, that now I would not, as I found her behavior completely rude in her treatment of me. Upon crossing the street to Coquelicot, I learned from one of the people there, that the owner of L'Ambiente has a history of treating many, many people so inconsiderately, including a former friend of hers and fellow local Board member whom she had known for years. I was told that that former friend never shopped in L'Ambiente again. I feel so sorry for you.
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June 2016 by Mal H.
I have been shopping at this store for years. They carry unique assortments of candles, jewelry, ceramics ,glassware, linens and more. If you have to purchase a gift - this is the store to visit. If you need help deciding on a gift, the owner gives great suggestions. They have always been super helpful.
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June 2016 by Willow R.
We are so lucky to have such a beautiful gift store as L'ambiente in Larkspur. The owner, who is so courteous and helpful, provides a stellar array of items that appeal to all tastes. On a recent visit, I found a beautiful piece of handcrafted jewelry, gorgeous linen table napkins, two lovely serving dishes, and topped my shopping off with an exquisite Asian style ginger jar. The shop is my first stop shopping for all sorts of Christmas items (the store is so beautiful at Christmas!) and is a great place to find one-of-a-kind gifts you simply won't find anywhere else. Another thing I enjoy is that each time I visit the store, there are always other customers there who are interesting and fun to chat with. Margaret, the owner, is a like a magnet in this town, loved for her charm and friendliness combined with her fabulous taste and diversity of gift items that have made her shop a popular Marin destination for many years.
