WAS THE NEWSLETTER #108

I’m Paige Wassel. WAS the Newsletter is your weekly dose of design inspiration, where we to look forward by looking back.

MY TOP FIVE FAVORITE VIDEOS OF THE YEAR

I don’t love doing year-end roundups. They feel... I don’t know, a little self-congratulatory? That said, I’m into looking back at what I liked making versus what I felt like I should be making. So here are my personal Top Five. Maybe they aren’t “the best in breed,” but they’re my faves because they remind me why I wanted to start making video content in the first place.

RENOVATING THE STOREFRONT/OFFICE

Rewatching this one was honestly kind of shocking. We got the storefront about a year ago, and at the time, it looked truly unhinged. There was SO MUCH to do. I’m talking painting, ripping up floors, and adding cork walls. Plus, there was the whole bathroom upgrade, so… chaos. Chaos everywhere.

2025 was one of my busiest years work-wise. Because I was otherwise distracted, the store was constantly getting pushed down the priority list. Seeing how much we actually did, even with it being on the back burner, feels super satisfying on the re-watch.

This was one of my favorite videos to film because it wasn’t polished or finished, ya know? It was just very real. The good news is that the store will be more of a priority in 2026. We’re hoping to open once a week and also have some pop-ups, which feels optimistic but also kind of exciting.

HOME UPDATE FROM MY FIRST PLACE IN LA

I’ve been filming home updates since I moved into this place three years ago. Now that I’m going to be moving out, these videos feel weirdly sentimental. I love that I have my entire decorating process documented, especially because (spoiler alert) I didn’t always know what I was doing when I started. I guess I appreciate that I wasn’t afraid to try stuff, and I didn’t have an issue admitting when something just didn’t work. No failures, all lessons. LIFE IS A CONSTANT LESSON.

In this particular update, I shared a reupholstered couch. Plus, I moved some pieces around, and I added a custom bathroom cabinet. When I watch this back, I realize how much I’ve learned about what I actually like to film. For me, it’s less about that “perfect reveal” like you see on TV home shows. I am much more about process and decision-making because that’s the hard part. (I get feedback that it’s really helpful to you guys when you’re making your own decisions, which is such a bonus.)

Ultimately, home updates are always my favorite videos. The only problem is that I can’t film them constantly because I reached a stopping point where it was all finally done. So... moving feels like a very convenient excuse to keep making them.

THRIFTING MY WAY TO PALM SPRINGS

Sometimes my videos are just for PURE FUN, which is honestly underrated. In this one, Basma, Rachel, and I thrifted our way to Palm Springs. This was a road trip documentary more than anything else. When I rewatch, I see I was being goofy on camera in the best way, which doesn’t always happen when I’m just stuck filming behind a desk.

I’d never thrifted Palm Springs like that before. The MCM decor is all around. Some of what we bought even ended up back at my vintage store in LA. From a business standpoint, stocking your vintage store with pieces you paid retail for is not the way to go. However, the point wasn’t about being strategic; it was about the experience. No regrets. Any video where I’m out in the world doing something instead of sitting at my desk ends up being a favorite to look back on. And I love that this is a tangible memory of such a good time.

DESIGNING YOUR HOME FOR WHEN YOU’RE GOING THROUGH IT

I’m very proud of this one. A major part of that is because of the thumbnail. Loved that it was giving “cinematic.” Every once in a while, I get very into the visual side of YouTube, and this was one of those moments. I had a lot of fun styling it. Tripod up top of a bar stool and all.

I like making videos about how your home can actually support you emotionally, especially when things feel rough. When I’m going through it, it’s comforting to change around my house to make it feel better or do little things to boost the mood. If the world is hard, your space should be soft. And sometimes you just need a project. This is something people don’t talk about enough, so I always like coming back to that topic.

MINI-KITCHEN RENO FOR MY BROTHER JACK

Hands-down, this was my favorite video from the year. We did a mini kitchen renovation for Jack’s new apartment in Chicago. The whole thing was a testament to the power of paint and elbow grease. This turned into a full-family project with my mom involved, too. (And yes, we still like to torment her over getting rid of Jack’s framed LRL bear prints from when my parents sold the Geneva house. They would have been PERFECT in this place.)

The before-and-after was very satisfying. And the whole thing was genuinely fun. Anytime I can bring family or friends into a video, it immediately feels less like work and more like something I’d be doing anyway. One big realization I had in 2025 is that I really enjoy making videos with other people. Again, sitting alone at a desk talking to a camera is fine for some stuff, but together is better.

WHAT’S ON TAP FOR 2026

As I look back, the theme is that I want to do fewer desk videos and more things that involve actually doing. Theory versus practice. I’ve got some fun stuff coming up, like an antiques roadshow-style video, redecorating a woman’s home in Los Angeles with a zero-dollar budget (believe it!), and more home updates, so stay tuned.

Looking back at 2025, I was crazy-busy with my professional stuff. The easiest thing would have been to step back from content. But I’m proud I stayed consistent in creating videos. As we head into the future, I resolve to be more thoughtful and creative instead of just, like... checking a box. I’ve been posting on YouTube since 2021, mostly once a week, and somehow I’m still here. So here’s the plan for 2026: make videos that feel fun and that reflect what I enjoy.

I want to wrap the year by saying I’m grateful that whatever I like best seems to coincide with what you guys like best, so… SHOUT OUT TO YOU ALL ❤️ 

DO / DON’T by Basma Alromaih

xx,
P