Drew Barrymore's go-to alarm clock is a fun solution to a problem we face every morning – and it masters an on-trend retro-style

This Barrymore-approved nightstand accessory might make our mornings (slightly) easier – we're already asking ourselves why we went so long without it

Drew Barrymore
(Image credit: Courtesy of Beautiful by Drew Barrymore)

Have you ever wondered how Drew Barrymore wakes up in the morning? We admit we hadn’t – until we discovered her alarm clock. In true Barrymore style, she’s managed to make one of the most mundane everyday essentials interesting.

Fans of the actress-turned-talk show host may already be familiar with Barrymore’s ‘Little Yellow Book’ – a product of the aforementioned program that shares the actress’s best recommendations on her faves to wear, watch, read, eat, and visit. In this instance, it’s a list of Barrymore’s favorite ‘unique home decor,’ and it includes the retro-style alarm clock in question.

The Studebaker Retro Clock Radio (available via Amazon) is a more personal (and fun) alternative to the sound we’ve all come to dislike – our phone alarm. ‘Why wake up to a scary-loud phone alarm when you can wake up to your favorite wake-up jam? This funky vintage-style clock radio is the perfect way to start the day,’ Barrymore says in the book. ‘Adding a soundtrack to your life makes each day brighter, more optimistic, and more you!’

With its curious shape and wide numbers on the open front, this alarm clock is a surprisingly simple way to tap into the retro interior design trend—a look that never really went away. However, it's not the only piece (nor the only clock) to make an appearance on Barrymore's favorites list.

Once we're awake, she recommends checking this mid-century flip clock, available from Letterfolk. 'This gorgeous analog clock is just the classic piece your home needs. Drew loves the sleek shape of this device – a chic way to watch time go by…,' the book reads.

We've heard about the practical benefits of these clocks, but what makes the retro style so special? Nina Grauer, a designer at Dekay & Tate, suggests it stems from nostalgia for a simpler time gone by.

'Like with everything in life, there are cycles, and right now, we are in one where people are perhaps missing the simpler times of the past, and therefore incorporating some elements of retro style into their homes to make it feel comforting and fresh,' she says.

'We love how it has been modernized for [the contemporary day], though – one of the best trends we have seen are these wall murals in abstract forms and great colors that really bring life into a room with little expense, make a statement, but don't overtake.'


Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.