Built upon the diversity of independent designers and impeccable quality, Formerly Yes Co-Founder Brad Holdgrafer says, "We always say we aren’t here to sell products, but instead the idea of design. Hopefully in the search for those things we can start to find what Los Angeles design will look like to the rest of the world in the coming decades. For now we are just husband and wife at a little store in downtown Los Angeles."
But we know they're a lot more than that, so we sat down with Brad and Jenna to chat about their three favorite pieces in the store. Be warned: you'll probably want everything.
Brad Holdgrafer
This is my absolute favorite product. Designed in 1953 (even though it looks like it was designed yesterday), it’s the perfect representation of what we want the shop to aspire too. It’s not minimal for the sake of minimalism, but for functionality.
2. ET66 Calculator by Dieter Rams
Dieter Rams is the reason I started designing. It’s very humbling to have a couple of his products in the store. His ten commandments of good design are a great place to start for any aspiring designer and something we are constantly reminding ourselves to look at.
This is a favorite book of ours. Justin Chung studies a number of people who he calls “noteworthy individuals” that inspire him. The photography in the book is so honest and beautiful. There is a sense of purity when flipping through it that makes me proud to be a creative.
Jenna Holdgrafer
1. The Boskke Cube
It's a wonderful example of function and aesthetics working together perfect. A bit of problem solving for us brown thumbs. It’s just a very simple acrylic plastic square that holds a bunch of water. Over time the moisture from the water pulls through the small bit of terracotta in the bottom and adds the needed amount of water to the herbs or plants. It’s honestly one of our best sellers in the shop.
Josh is a local ceramist down in San Diego. He blends eastern and western design into his design and sculptures. He uses a volcanic glaze to his pieces that gives each one it’s own unique look and feel.
This little key ring is one of the least expensive things in the shop, but in our household, the most used. It eliminates the issue of handing over your entire set of keys to a valet or house sitter or in our case, the person opening the shop that day, without having to hand over your entire key set. It’s a smart solve to a simple little problem.