Video killed the radio star, right?
Well, as it happens, not quite.
As the pioneers of digital radio, Pure have become the world’s leading digital radio manufacturer, selling over 5 million radios worldwide since their launch in 1999. This statistic comes as no surprise to me, given that all of my closest friends have Pure radios in their homes, perhaps even as a nostalgic nod towards the old Pure radio that served as our dish-washing companion back in our uni days, when we made a song-and-dance out of that most banal of daily kitchen chores.
I think we’ve all had a Pure radio accompany us through our subsequent homes over the years, overseeing the transition from fresh-faced “a toasted cheese sandwich counts as dinner, right?” students, all the way through to our current domestic-goddess incarnations. (I’m serious, one of us became a literal baking beauty..!)
I think its safe to say that while Podcasts and YouTube, SnapChat and Spotify all vy for our attention in this increasingly fragmented modern digital world, there is something hugely comforting about the familiar background chatter of radio in the home.
It’s not just me; radio use in the UK is now reportedly at record levels, with 48 million adults listening to more than 1bn hours each week in the last three months of 2016 year, according to industry monitor Rajar.
What I love most about the Pure Radio collection is their range of small, elegantly designed sets that mix quality with affordability, available in a range of colours and patterns to suit all tastes. Mine is the One Maxi** in Jade White, which slips seamlessly into the pared-back Scandi-minimal aesthetic of my living space, but there are also nostalgic retro styles for those with more traditional decor schemes, and designer collaborations in bright colour-pop hues if you prefer your home interior to be a bit louder.
Workspace companion
So, how have my radio listening habits changed since those days of prancing around the kitchen, dish-cloth in hand, to Neil Fox’s Drivetime on Capital..?
Well, truth be told I still do prance around the kitchen to the radio (because who doesn’t?!), but most of my radio sessions tend to accompany my mornings spent chained to my home office desk, clattering away at the keyboard. I generally find I’m far more focused in the mornings – as opposed to after lunch when my attentions can start to wander – so I try and ensure I’ve already cleared my inbox and am busy working away by the time Lauren Laverne begins her 6Music morning show.
There was a time when I needed near silence to be able to concentrate on writing succinctly, but I’ve found lately that the background noise of a radio show that mixes music and conversation is actually quite conducive to maintaining my train of thought, replicating the bustle of coffee shop working that I so enjoy.
While I’d never describe myself as someone who is particularly knowledgable or in-the-know about the coolest new music, I’ve found the radio to be the best place to discovers bands I’d have otherwise not come across and evolve my musical tastes beyond my staple of sing-a-long favourites, that are just far too distracting to be able to continue working when they come on (which is the main reason I gave up on Spotify playlists in the office!).
Which radio shows do you like to listen to as you work? Let me know in the comments below!
(above) IKEA Chest of Drawers; NOTRE MONDE Tray**; FARFETCH Candles**; PURE One Maxi radio**; MOTH Vase, WEST ELM Votive**; KAPTEN & SONS Watch**; LAVISH ALICE Jewellery*; MARKS & SPENCER Bralet*; KING & MCGAW Framed Print**
Morning informant
Besides being my morning work companion I’ve found myself increasingly tuning in to the radio first thing, as a morning informant on all that has happened in the world as I’ve slept.
Far too many times lately I’ve woken to the doom and gloom of breaking news text alerts, and with my tired eyes not quite ready to scan the horrors of the news headlines on my phone, the Today show on Radio4 has become my port-of-call for an early morning digest —and voice of reason— on news and current affairs. You can set your Pure radio as a morning alarm to wake you up to the dulcet tones of John Humphrys (or your chosen radio DJ). You also have the option to set different wake up times for weekday and weekends – clever, huh?
(above) BYALEX stool** (used as side table); PURE One Maxi radio; MALĒE body oil**; ORTIGA bath oil*; AESOP body cleanser*; THE WHITE COMPANY wooden bath tidy**; AMARA wine glass*; FEEL UNIQUE body brush*; CHRISTY Kasbah flannels**; TROVE Tuk’r body scrub; &OTHERSTORIES candle*
(below) THE WHITE COMPANY bath robe**; THE WHITE COMPANY bath mat**
Evening chill
Lastly, I’ve started to embrace the joy of letting myself totally unwind at the end of the long weekend with the ultimate of indulgences: a nice long, warm, foamy bath!
Whereas I used to enjoy propping my iPad up on my bath tray to indulge in a few episodes of my latest TV obsession, I’ve lately been more inclined to lay back and immerse myself more in the relaxing ritual of a Sunday evening bath, close my eyes and begin to let my mind wander freely.. and it certainly helps finally having a bath tub that’s long enough for me to fully recline whilst remaining entirely submerged under the bubbles!
I’ve not committed to a specific show as a bath time accompaniment just yet, and instead have let myself drift away to the sounds of The Proms on Radio3, Claudia Winkleman’s Sunday Blues on Radio2, and Sarah Ward’s Collection on Jazz FM in recent weeks, the latter in particular being a wonderful accompaniment to the most decadent of bath-time essentials: a couple of flickering scented candles and a glass of chilled bubbly..
Do you have a favourite Sunday evening show you like to unwind to? I’m always on the lookout for new recommendations as I find its fairly easy to get set in your ways when it comes to radio! Apparently there are over 300 radio stations out there, yet I only ever regularly listen to 5 of them!
What am I missing out on, guys?
In the market for a new radio?
Head on over to my instagram to find out how you can win yourself a One Maxi Series 3S radio, courtesy of Pure.
The Instagram giveaway is open to all residents of mainland United Kingdom (except employees of the promoter, their families and anyone professionally involved with this promotion). The giveaway closes at 11.59pm on 28 August 2017, and the winner will be drawn at random and notified after this date. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram.
This post is a Paid Partnership with Pure Radio but all thoughts and opinions are, as always, my own. All photography © Kate Baxter.
5 Responses
I’m a big fan of radio- always have been!
Thanks for the credit, love this post and the shot goes so well with the vibe!
How perfectly does that go with all your spaces! I’ve always been a “listen to music on your phone” kinda girl, until I moved into my house. There is just something about having an actual radio whilst decorating which is just RIGHT.
Love this pic of you too hun! x
Ooh, such a lovely sleek and stylish radio!! Yes, I have my radio on in the kitchen in the morning. Sometimes when I’m working, too, if it’s feeling too quiet! I station hop for the best tunes :) X
I absolutely love the radio and the older I’ve gotten the more I enjoy it. I knew I was proper old when I switched from radio 1 to radio 2. I really enjoy listening to Jeremy Vine and all the topics that he discusses. Helps me feel informed. But I also like smooth radio for all the classic tunes of my youth. I’ve got a radio in the kitchen and one in the livingroom and also one in my office. I don;t have one in my bedroom though so I need to sort that out! Maybe this is the radio I need, it looks lovely!