7 Analogue Pleasures Worth Revisiting
Few of us would ditch our phones or computers, but slow living can be a treat, and can even coexist with technology
Kate Burt
1 December 2017
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
Perhaps the idea of a smart home is something you’re still trying to get to grips with. Or maybe you’re fully tech-ed up with lights you can turn on from your phone and a pet cam helping you to keep an eye on Kitty or Fido while you’re out.
Those in the first camp, take heart (and cherish your analogue home – you’ll be comforted by this story); those in the second camp, take a moment to pick a few of these slow pleasures to help you relax around the house (even if your computerised voice assistant is kept busy setting your heating and controlling your smart washing machine).
Those in the first camp, take heart (and cherish your analogue home – you’ll be comforted by this story); those in the second camp, take a moment to pick a few of these slow pleasures to help you relax around the house (even if your computerised voice assistant is kept busy setting your heating and controlling your smart washing machine).
Real books
Many of us swear by the space-saving properties of our e-book devices. Holiday suitcases no longer need to be weighed down with tomes you hope to read, room in work bags is freed up, the dictionary function is brilliant… and think of that wall storage you can use for other things when you’ve ditched your paper books.
Yes, yes – but how many of you have managed to part with a long-collected library of books you’ve loved, paperbacks you’ve read and read again, novels with notes in the margins…? Not all of you, for sure – and that’s because books are a warm and comforting presence in any home. And bookshelves are nice things to fill with, well, books, especially if you can fashion a snug reading corner around yours, like this bibliophile-friendly and beautifully styled cubbyhole.
Choose a spot ideally with natural light and a power source, so you can clip up a wall light for evenings and dark afternoons spent lost among your favourite writers.
11 canny ways to store your recipe books in the kitchen
Many of us swear by the space-saving properties of our e-book devices. Holiday suitcases no longer need to be weighed down with tomes you hope to read, room in work bags is freed up, the dictionary function is brilliant… and think of that wall storage you can use for other things when you’ve ditched your paper books.
Yes, yes – but how many of you have managed to part with a long-collected library of books you’ve loved, paperbacks you’ve read and read again, novels with notes in the margins…? Not all of you, for sure – and that’s because books are a warm and comforting presence in any home. And bookshelves are nice things to fill with, well, books, especially if you can fashion a snug reading corner around yours, like this bibliophile-friendly and beautifully styled cubbyhole.
Choose a spot ideally with natural light and a power source, so you can clip up a wall light for evenings and dark afternoons spent lost among your favourite writers.
11 canny ways to store your recipe books in the kitchen
A stove-top kettle (and – bonus – a real stove)
You can’t argue with an electric kettle for speed and efficiency. And if you have a boiling-water tap, you’re even further ahead – they’re the ultimate in convenience, especially when you need instant hot water for cooking pasta or making a speedy morning cuppa.
But what about slow Sunday afternoons? You’ve just come in from a good blustery walk in the woods, and buttered crumpets and the teapot are on your mind. What’s the rush? Speed is most certainly not the essence here. Rather, waiting – yes, a while – for a stove-top kettle to begin its comforting whistle is all part of the ritual of a proper afternoon teatime. And they look sooo good.
If you have a wood-burner, too, you won’t even need to leave your fireside spot. Just pile everything you need onto a tray and get yourselves comfy.
You can’t argue with an electric kettle for speed and efficiency. And if you have a boiling-water tap, you’re even further ahead – they’re the ultimate in convenience, especially when you need instant hot water for cooking pasta or making a speedy morning cuppa.
But what about slow Sunday afternoons? You’ve just come in from a good blustery walk in the woods, and buttered crumpets and the teapot are on your mind. What’s the rush? Speed is most certainly not the essence here. Rather, waiting – yes, a while – for a stove-top kettle to begin its comforting whistle is all part of the ritual of a proper afternoon teatime. And they look sooo good.
If you have a wood-burner, too, you won’t even need to leave your fireside spot. Just pile everything you need onto a tray and get yourselves comfy.
A record player
Most of us probably stream our music digitally in one way or another. And a good sprinkling of us will also have a fancy multi-room speaker system. But perhaps the old-school heart in you loves the warm crackle you get when putting needle to vinyl, enjoys listening to albums in the order in which they were recorded, and takes pleasure in having to get up to turn over the discs.
There’s something very homely about having a record player (often an object of beauty in its own right) on a shelf or sideboard, too. Also joyful is having a stash of albums to flick through – and an excuse to rifle through the vinyl section in charity shops, where who knows what kind of unexpected treasures you might unearth… music you’d probably never stumble across online, where choosing something just because it has amazing artwork on the cover isn’t such a thing.
But if you live with a tech-lover, or simply want your tunes broadcast in any part of the house you fancy, the good news is that, while it’s a bit of a fiddle, you can connect your trusty turntable to a multi-room speaker system. You can also buy usb turntables if you want to listen to your vinyl on the go. The best of both worlds!
Why you should take a winter’s nap right now!
Most of us probably stream our music digitally in one way or another. And a good sprinkling of us will also have a fancy multi-room speaker system. But perhaps the old-school heart in you loves the warm crackle you get when putting needle to vinyl, enjoys listening to albums in the order in which they were recorded, and takes pleasure in having to get up to turn over the discs.
There’s something very homely about having a record player (often an object of beauty in its own right) on a shelf or sideboard, too. Also joyful is having a stash of albums to flick through – and an excuse to rifle through the vinyl section in charity shops, where who knows what kind of unexpected treasures you might unearth… music you’d probably never stumble across online, where choosing something just because it has amazing artwork on the cover isn’t such a thing.
But if you live with a tech-lover, or simply want your tunes broadcast in any part of the house you fancy, the good news is that, while it’s a bit of a fiddle, you can connect your trusty turntable to a multi-room speaker system. You can also buy usb turntables if you want to listen to your vinyl on the go. The best of both worlds!
Why you should take a winter’s nap right now!
A handwritten letter
When was the last time you received a proper, pen-to-paper letter from anyone? Have you ever had one? Even a simple card sent outside of birthdays and other events has a special sparkle – it just feels so personal, seeing someone’s handwriting and knowing they’ve thought of you enough to put pen to paper, and to go to the effort of finding a stamp and a postbox to send it to you personally.
Why not revive the pleasure for someone else by putting your thoughts and good wishes on paper? Style your desk beautifully while you’re at it, and enjoy shopping for the perfect pen, an attractive pen pot, and some lovely writing paper or a card with thoughtful artwork on it, then get scribbling. You might even get a letter back.
When was the last time you received a proper, pen-to-paper letter from anyone? Have you ever had one? Even a simple card sent outside of birthdays and other events has a special sparkle – it just feels so personal, seeing someone’s handwriting and knowing they’ve thought of you enough to put pen to paper, and to go to the effort of finding a stamp and a postbox to send it to you personally.
Why not revive the pleasure for someone else by putting your thoughts and good wishes on paper? Style your desk beautifully while you’re at it, and enjoy shopping for the perfect pen, an attractive pen pot, and some lovely writing paper or a card with thoughtful artwork on it, then get scribbling. You might even get a letter back.
An analogue radio
Sometimes, too much choice can be overwhelming, can’t it? Isn’t it nice to know that the old radio in the bathroom – the one whose batteries never run out because it’s not digital – is always reliably set to Radio 2? Or that you will always catch the Shipping Forecast (on the silver 1980s radio that’s developed its own retro cool) in the shed at the right time of day? And that if you want to change these things, there will be a certain amount of trial and error, aerial fiddling, and crackling as you try to locate the next sign of life on your dial (oh yes, dials – you know where you are with a dial).
Digital may allow you to listen to all sorts of amazing things that would never be possible if we only had AM and FM, but why not treat just one room to some old-fashioned, reassuring limitation? Search around vintage shops for reconditioned models or go for a reissue, like the one in this photo.
There’s a lot of visual vintage charm to be had in an old radio, too. Enjoy yours before they turn off the analogue signal – a move pencilled in (but not confirmed) for the end of the decade.
Sometimes, too much choice can be overwhelming, can’t it? Isn’t it nice to know that the old radio in the bathroom – the one whose batteries never run out because it’s not digital – is always reliably set to Radio 2? Or that you will always catch the Shipping Forecast (on the silver 1980s radio that’s developed its own retro cool) in the shed at the right time of day? And that if you want to change these things, there will be a certain amount of trial and error, aerial fiddling, and crackling as you try to locate the next sign of life on your dial (oh yes, dials – you know where you are with a dial).
Digital may allow you to listen to all sorts of amazing things that would never be possible if we only had AM and FM, but why not treat just one room to some old-fashioned, reassuring limitation? Search around vintage shops for reconditioned models or go for a reissue, like the one in this photo.
There’s a lot of visual vintage charm to be had in an old radio, too. Enjoy yours before they turn off the analogue signal – a move pencilled in (but not confirmed) for the end of the decade.
A landline and a perch
The classic telephone-in-the-hall was such a ‘thing’ it had a dedicated piece of furniture designed around it. But you don’t need to tuck yours out of the way – the kitchen is a more sociable option.
The chief joys of a landline telephone are: a) it sounds good – it’ll often have a lovely jangly ring (not a digital imitation of one) and the pleasing, heavy drrrrr of the dialling tone when you go to make a call, b) it looks good! A solid 1960s design with its bulbous ear and mouth pieces is a classic, and, c) it doesn’t move.
On this last point, yes, we may all gather around a tablet or laptop for a long-distance family Skype call, but there’s nothing quite like the focus you get when your phone’s design won’t let you multi-task. In the same way, unlike a group video call, when the phone gets passed from person to person, you can’t get away with just a wave – you’ll get to have a proper, one-to-one chat with your cool Auntie Brenda in Australia, however brief. And that’s got to be something to cherish, right?
The classic telephone-in-the-hall was such a ‘thing’ it had a dedicated piece of furniture designed around it. But you don’t need to tuck yours out of the way – the kitchen is a more sociable option.
The chief joys of a landline telephone are: a) it sounds good – it’ll often have a lovely jangly ring (not a digital imitation of one) and the pleasing, heavy drrrrr of the dialling tone when you go to make a call, b) it looks good! A solid 1960s design with its bulbous ear and mouth pieces is a classic, and, c) it doesn’t move.
On this last point, yes, we may all gather around a tablet or laptop for a long-distance family Skype call, but there’s nothing quite like the focus you get when your phone’s design won’t let you multi-task. In the same way, unlike a group video call, when the phone gets passed from person to person, you can’t get away with just a wave – you’ll get to have a proper, one-to-one chat with your cool Auntie Brenda in Australia, however brief. And that’s got to be something to cherish, right?
An alarm clock
Most of us can probably relate to going to sleep with a mobile phone next to the bed – the last thing we look at before nodding off, and the first thing we hear when its alarm wakes us up.
There’s something rather nice about a traditional alarm clock instead. Perhaps the vision of this lovely-looking design will entice you to put your phone to one side half an hour earlier at bedtime (the light from the screen is said not to be conducive to a good night’s sleep, so you may even get more zeds), and leave it on the other side of the room until morning.
With its no-messing loud ring, an old-fashioned alarm clock will also help you to leap out of bed ready for action after maximum deep sleep, rather than losing precious minutes – or more – to the half-sleep of the snooze button.
Do you have a favourite old-fashioned thing in your home? Tell us about it in the Comments section.
Most of us can probably relate to going to sleep with a mobile phone next to the bed – the last thing we look at before nodding off, and the first thing we hear when its alarm wakes us up.
There’s something rather nice about a traditional alarm clock instead. Perhaps the vision of this lovely-looking design will entice you to put your phone to one side half an hour earlier at bedtime (the light from the screen is said not to be conducive to a good night’s sleep, so you may even get more zeds), and leave it on the other side of the room until morning.
With its no-messing loud ring, an old-fashioned alarm clock will also help you to leap out of bed ready for action after maximum deep sleep, rather than losing precious minutes – or more – to the half-sleep of the snooze button.
Do you have a favourite old-fashioned thing in your home? Tell us about it in the Comments section.
Related Stories
Wellbeing
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Wellbeing
How to Prepare Your Home for Summer Heat
Check out these updates that will ensure your property is ready for hotter days
Full Story
Professional Advice
10 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Bed Linen
Should you pick crisp cotton or rumpled linen – and does thread count really matter? Bed linen can be baffling – here's all you need to know
Full Story
Renovating
How Can You Carve Out a New Room Without Extending?
By Kate Burt
When it comes to creating extra room, a mezzanine can be your best friend, cannily boosting space without the need for permission
Full Story
Renovating
Best of Houzz 2024: The Winning Design Projects
The Best of Houzz 2024 award winners have been announced. Take a look at some of the winning designs
Full Story
Redefining Design
A Room-by-room Guide to Inclusive Design
By Kate Burt
What is inclusive design – and why is it important for all our homes if we want them to be truly sustainable?
Full Story
Kitchens
How to Design a Multigenerational Kitchen
A space that successfully meets the needs of all those who use it is not only inclusive, it’s futureproof
Full Story
Renovating
How to Cut the Cost of Your Extension Project
Stay on budget when planning and building your extension with these expert tips for keeping costs down
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Survive a Major Building Project
By Eva Byrne
Get expert tips for improving your home while preserving your sanity
Full Story
Pets
Expert Ways to Integrate Your Dog’s Bed into Your Home
Good design can help to create the perfect home for you, but also a cosy spot for Fido to rest his weary paws
Full Story
@sianember Hi, it's by Peter Stanaway
I'm, googling him right now....puts me in mind of Gwilym Pritchard even though they're not very alike.
Lovely, soothing article. Good old Houzz. I love tech and have been using computers since the 1970s, but I adore my books; I still write letters; and have a land line and analog radio and alarm clock. How I would love a wood burning stove with space for a kettle. Aaah....