WAS THE NEWSLETTER #114

I’m Paige Wassel. WAS the Newsletter is your weekly dose of design inspiration, where we love to meet up IRL.

THE WAS IRL SHOPPING EVENT

WAS, Before It Becomes WERE

We’re hosting WAS IRL at Office Supplies this Saturday from 11 to 2. This isn’t technically a “grand opening” because we kinda are/have been open. (I mean, if you DM and we’re in the office that day, you can pop in, or you can stalk what’s in the window any time.) However, we haven’t had a formal “show up, the music’s on, shop like a normal person” sort of thing for a while. So this is that.

If you want to get all poetic about it, after this event, a lot of the remaining WAS merch will officially become WERE, like “these things were once here,” so mark your calendars.

What’s Here (The Good Stuff)

Let’s be clear that this isn’t a “random leftovers on a folding table” kind of deal. This is curated and intentional, the peak of what we do. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Pillows from past launches

• Totes and pouches you’ve loved from before

• A few pieces we held back for an in-store event

• Some things that sold out online but magically still exist in limited quantities

Best part? There’s brand new, never-before-available WAS items. I’m talking new pillow styles, new pouches, and other new pieces that have never been photographed or posted before.

If you’re into being first, this is your moment.

What’s Exclusive

We’re launching dog beds exclusively at this opening. Why? Idk. I love dogs?

Bring your dog and let them take a test snooze. Bonus points awarded if your pup has a permanent wink. Don’t forget, these are available only IRL.

Beyond WAS

This is not solely a WAS event. Because we’re inside Office Supplies, the vintage will be plentiful. We’re stocked with everything we’ve been collecting in anticipation of now. We’ve got:

• Lamps

• Dishware

• Tables and chairs

• All the most prime “this feels like a movie set” assorted bits

Studio Leonard custom framed art will also be up for grabs. Better be first in line if you want to snag one of these………………….

We’ll have our friend Basma Alromaih’s Do/Don’t ‘zine, which you already know and dig because we feature pieces of it in each newsletter. We’ll also have some of her art, which is fun and cool and will make you feel like you discovered something before everyone else did.

Which is actually true.

Why Now?

Because we’ve been busy and we haven’t had regular shop hours. Because sometimes you’ve gotta throw open the front door and say, “Come hang.” And largely because this stuff is meant to live in your home and make you happier in your space. WAS was created to, like, exist in the world and this is the most literal version of that.

What to Expect

Music. Me and Kate. Shopping. A little bit of organized chaos. Possibly additional one-eyed dogs (we hope).

Saturday, February 21
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. PT

If you ever wanted to see WAS in real life, this is it. Come early, come all, come make it historical.

DO / DON’T by Basma Alromaih

xx,
P