Natasha Francis founder of UK antiques lifestyle brand, The Urban Vintage Affair, is embarking on an exciting new chapter as on 17th April she unveils her retail collection at the prestigious Sims Vintage Antiques Centre. Breaking ground from her successful online platform, Francis brings her signature flair and passion for design to a physical space, inviting enthusiasts to explore her curated selections firsthand. Located within the newly expanded Sims Vintage Antiques Centre, nestled in the heart of Henley-In-Arden near Birmingham, Founded and managed by the esteemed Phil Sims, this f ..read more

Supporting Small & Independent Brands By Judging the Biz Bubble Awards - PRESS RELEASE   Antiques expert and star of BBC1’s The Bidding Room and Salvage Hunters: The Restorers, Natasha Francis, has announced the winners of The BizBubble and Modern Maker Awards 2024. This annual business awards event celebrates, supports and champions small businesses, sole traders and micro companies as well those that have thrived or launched during the last year. If that wasn’t enough, excitement on the day reached fever pitch as Natasha announced the award winners online via video. And the winners ..read more

CALLING CARD CASE: AN IMPORTANT ACCESSORY IN THE VICTORIAN SOCIETY  Written by Wiktoria Kijowska The use of calling card cases dates back to the 1820s when the idea of leaving one’s calling card was popular. But what do I mean by ‘leaving one’s calling card’? Calling cards were an essential part of the very formal etiquette of introductions and visits. This idea was first used in the early 19th century and later grew to be very popular during the Victorian period. h         h h (images curtesy of Pinterest) At the time, ‘visiting’ was largely a lady’s job and ..read more

Written by Allie D'Almo 2020, though full of mostly bad things, did at least do something right. It officially marked the return of granny-chic and the rise of the ‘Grandmillennial’ which is still a big interior design and decor trend for this 2021. Down with pale walls, bare wood, and Instagram feeds full of white furniture and an impressive succulent plant. No more silly talk of ‘less is more’. Brass got big, as did bamboo, chintz, foxed mirrors and fringing. A rip-roaring party of pattern, texture, and embellishment arrived, and we can’t get enough of it.   Image Matthew Bees  Ho ..read more

So has the boredom started to kick in yet or are you super busy working from home whilst juggling the never ending cooking and cleaning?  My hands are so dry I had to by some more bees wax balm to repair the effects from the constant hand washing and doing the never ending dishes. But I'm not complaining as life and business needs to go on right!   As a reaction to social distancing, eliminating all public sourcing and selling. I am pleased to announce that The Urban Vintage Affair has recently joined the Instagram page Virtual Vintag ..read more

Let us reminisce while I remember the brass ornaments that used to fill my nan's house in the 80's, the decorated horse shoes on the wall which you still find in some pubs today, bells of various sizes, candle stick and ornamental frog under the umbrella. I have seen and lived with them all, so when I have noticed the increase in brassware in the commercial market, I automatically rejected the thought of this comeback and said No! However after a few a coffees and come to acceptance to embrace the shiny golden metal and use this in a stylish and useful m ..read more

"Create Meaningful Moments Together, Invite That Warm Fuzzy Feeling" (Pantone) Get ready to shed the winter blues and step into a haven of comfort and connection with the Pantone Colour of the Year 2024: Peach Fuzz 13-1023. This velvety, gentle peach hue is more than just a colour; it's an invitation to embrace the warmth in your life, both literally and figuratively. When I first saw this was the Pantone colour of the year, I initially thought that Peach Fuzz would only fit into fashion and graphic design and that it was too 'fluffy' for homeware sector. However after taking t ..read more

  As the autumn leaves begin to fall and the cozy sweater weather approaches... we know its still warm but the change will hit us hard and fast! Now is the time to embark on a transformative journey known as Secondhand September. This global movement created by Oxfam, encourages individuals to make conscious choices to buy secondhand clothes, accessories, and homeware. Not only does it reduce our carbon footprint, but it also supports a sustainable and mindful lifestyle. In this blog, The Urban Vintage Affair present 10 inspiring ways to join the Secondhand September movem ..read more

Are you looking for the best ways to clean tarnished antique silver? There are several options to choose from, including chemical products and natural methods. Here are some cleaning techniques using chemical products, including some effective brands for the chemical methods: Silver polish: This is a product that is specifically designed to clean and shine silver. You can find it at most home goods stores, and there are several different brands to choose from. Some popular options include Hagerty Silver Polish, Goddard's Silver Polish, Wright's Silver Cream and Silvo Tarnish Guard. To use si ..read more

 Gift buying is hard enough as it is let alone having to think outside the box, in order to figure out what that 'difficult to shop for person' will like from you. Discover something they won’t be expecting with our fabulous range of gift  ideas for that annoying person who has everything.  The kind of gifts they will like are the ones that are random, things they would never think of buying for themselves. Also something they'll actually use and love.   1.  Personal Colour Analysis To Make Them Feel & Loo ..read more