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Why every home should have a Roberts radio
The House Beautiful team pick a design classic we think you'll love forever – this time, our style editor is tuning in to the The Revival by Roberts Radio.
Who designed it?
Harry Roberts, co-founder of the brand, created the original R66 radio in 1956. The classic design regained popularity in 1989 and was reborn under its new name.
Why we love it?
After a vintage Roberts radio appeared in a TV advert for Martini in 1989, public demand was so strong that the company produced a new run of what it called the Revival radio. This introduced the classic design to a new generation and it soon became the most popular Roberts product. Put simply, this is a radio that looks as good as it sounds. Yes, it's a device for listening to music and the news, but it’s just as much a decorative object for the home.
The radio's retro styling gives instant mid-century flair to any kitchen countertop, bedside table or desk. As well as being released in multiple colours, special editions have upped the style ante. Previous collaborations have featured Liberty, Mulberry and Cath Kidston; one of the latest is a leopard-print Revival, designed with the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Why you'll love it forever
Roberts is focused on innovation without abandoning its key design principles. The radio's wooden cabinet frame and distinctive grille conceal contemporary tech that delivers its characteristically rich sound. No longer a simple FM transistor, the Revival's digital capabilities allow it to tune in to stations around the world and connect to mobiles and tablets via Bluetooth to stream playlists or audiobooks.
Its metallic details and handle betray the fact that the design was inspired by a handbag owned by the creator's wife. This portability is also a strong point – with a set of batteries inside, the radio can be carried from kitchen table to garden bench without interrupting the listening experience. In addition to the flagship iStream 3L model, Roberts has continued the Revival style across smaller radios and speakers.
What makes a design icon?
For a piece to be truly iconic to the HB editors, it needs to:
Have longevity and really stand the test of time.
Illustrate innovative design, whether from the high street or a showroom.
Be recognisable homeware that deserves the spotlight.
Serve as an object of desire – beautiful, yes, but useful, too.
Be a piece that is used every day by House Beautiful editors.
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