Abbie Johnson

The colour of the season! Fashion experts reveal love for yellow

It's official, yellow is one of the standout shades of the season. The punchy hue has been worn by an array of royalty and celebrities in recent weeks.

Thanks to Kate Middleton's lemon Emilia Wickstead dress at the Queen's Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving and Anne Hathaway's bold yellow Valentino choice at a Bvlgari dinner in Paris this week, this shade is now a very popular summer option.

Analysis of Google Trend data showed that since the Duchess of Cambridge's outing in her stunning frock la

Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Bedroom Reimagined

This Jubilee bank holiday, we celebrate seventy historic years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign! Whilst you might be more interested in the extra-long weekend we’ve gained this year (and hopefully a bit of sun), we wanted to celebrate the decades her majesty has dedicated to our country.

Using 2022 interior trends data, in celebration of her seventieth year on the throne, we’ve reimagined Queen Elizabeth II’s royal bedroom to visualise what it might look like today if she were set to take the thro

The UK's Favourite Pancake Toppings Revealed

Taking the top spot, banana pancakes have proven to be the UK's favourite topping. Adding a fruity twist to this classic dish, bananas are perfect for a soft topping or even to add into the batter, made popular by social media for those wanting to really switch things up.

Continuing with some fruity favourites, blueberry pancakes were shown to be the UK's second favourite topping. Perfect for an Instagrammable stack, blueberries add a tart taste to this popular food whilst making sure you get o

National Storytelling Week 2022: Top 10 Bedtime Stories To Read To Your Child

National Storytelling Week celebrates the written word as a vehicle for teaching children about the world around them. Stories encourage children to build relationships, understand their emotions and make links within their knowledge. Here at Bensons For Beds, we’ve collated data to put together the top ten most loved bedtime stories for you and your child to enjoy this National Storytelling Week.

Number one on our list of favourite bedtime stories for kids, The Gruffalo follows a smart-talking

Five Things I Learned Through Grief and How to Learn to Live With It — Heroica Women

During the worst time, the people I love, the articles I found and the therapist I spoke to all repeated incessantly information about the five stages of grief.

‘It’s normal, how you’re feeling,’ they’d say, ‘everyone goes through it.’

Whilst this was said in attempts at calming me down, rallying the metaphorical troops and normalising my emotions, at that time it didn’t help. It stirred anger in me. The audacity of the world to suggest that anyone, ever, had understood how I felt.

Now that m

Abbie Johnson: Worthwhile work experience

Here at Shape we allow a number of students to visit our studio for work experience at certain times throughout the year. Here's a great little article from Abbie, our latest recruit, and her opinion on 'worthwhile work experience'. When I was a student, I understood the importance of gaining valuable experience in the industry, mainly because Mark Scargill and Tash Willcocks drilled it into me (and I trusted them). I advise as a University Lecturer that everybody should get at least 3 placement

Do The Best You Can Do And Stay At Home

I try to force my eyes shut, hoping in vain to sleep. All day my eyes have felt the weight of the pandemic on my lids, pushing them down. Yet now that I am in bed, I lie wide awake.

The room is dark except for the small, blue light from the quiet television. It gives the room an unearthly glow that slips through the thin space between my eyelids. The light creeps into my mind. I’m awake and that isn’t going to change anytime soon.

I try to direct the light toward only happy thoughts. I try to

Harper Lee’s ‘Go Set A Watchman’: The Development of a Childhood Favourite

As a schoolgirl, I fell entirely in love with Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, brought evocatively to life by my secondary school English teacher who would recite each page in her own Geordie-twinged, South American accent. Although I had always preferred the solitary act of reading, her approach affirmed the communal purpose of the story. The book was probably the first novel I had read and enjoyed that had mature, substantial, and meaningful messages. In reading it, I fully understood every
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How To Repair A Leaking Pond Pump

There are a few different ways you can repair your pond liner if you suspect it is leaking. Thankfully we’ve put them all in one place for you to try out for yourself.

Your pond water will reduce over time due to evaporation, but this will never cause a sudden decrease in water levels. If your pond water has noticeably decreased over a short period, there’s a good chance there’s a leak in your liner.

To repair a leak in your pond liner, you first need to find it.

To find where the leak is loc
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What Size Pond Pump Do I Need?

The pump is a vital part of your pond’s filtration system. Without a pump, your pond’s water would not move around and would instead become a stagnant, unhealthy environment for your fish and plants to live. The more populated a pond is, the more crucial it is for your pump to be able to push the correct capacity of water round the system per hour, as more fish stock means more excretion which can lead to detrimental effects to the water’s health.

Before you buy your pond pump, however, it’s es
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Guidelines For Stocking Your Aquarium

If you’ve decided you want to set up your own aquarium, then there are a few guidelines you need to consider to make sure the stock of fish you choose is just right for you and your tank. For a community aquarium, not only do you need to consider the compatibility of your fish choice but, also the size of your tank.

We’ve put a few things you need to think about all in one guide to help pinpoint just how you can get started on creating your dream aquarium, the correct way, once you’ve chosen yo
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How To Get Crystal Clear Aquarium Water

All fish tank owners dream of having that vivid, clear aquarium, with water clean enough to see right through to the other side. With the right maintenance and attention, this image doesn’t have to be a pipe dream but, instead, a reality. Follow our basic steps to avoid the threatening murky clouds of algae and discolouration and instead let your aquarium water be the crystal clear paradise you strive to have.

The key to clear aquarium water includes just a few simple steps that, when considere
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Why Have I Got Brown Algae in My Aquarium?

Brown algae can be an aquarium owner’s worst nightmare; not only does it not look appealing, but brown algae can also cause a whole host of problems for the wellbeing of your fish population. Brown algae can be toxic, harmful and damaging to both the fish and plants that inhabit your fish tank, so it’s important you do everything you can to keep it under control. Luckily there are certain ways you can avoid, reduce and get rid of brown algae.

What is brown algae in my fish tank?

If your once n
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Good Fish For Starting A Tropical Fish Aquarium

If you’ve made the decision to set up your own tropical fish aquarium, then even after a small bit of research you’ll understand there’s quite a lot to it. Here at Pond Planet, we want to make those early steps of research and setting up your tropical fish aquarium a bit more plain sailing, which is why we’ve put together a small list of ideal species for those who are new to a tropical aquarium.

A tropical fish is usually one who needs to live in a heated aquarium, similar to the warmer oceans
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How Much and How Often Should You Feed Your Fish?

The process you follow when feeding your fish depends largely on what type of fish you choose to have in your aquarium; certain species require specific feeding patterns and particular foods and it’s important to ensure you’ve researched this well beforehand and are sticking to it properly. But luckily, there are some general things to consider when feeding your fish which we’ve put together in a friendly guide for you to consider in the planning stage of your aquarium.

How Much To Feed Your Fi
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Aquarium Maintenance: Keeping Nitrate & Phosphate Levels Low

Are you unsure about the chemical well being of your aquarium water? Are you battling with high levels of nitrate or phosphates in your aquarium? If you’re having issues with build-ups, or if you’re not sure how to prevent them from escalating to begin with, then you’re in the right place. In our blog, we want to share our top tips for controlling nitrate levels in your tank, so your fish can have a healthy environment to thrive in.

What Are Nitrates and Phosphates Where Do They Come From?

Fir
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Correct Aquarium Water Temperature

If only there was a simple answer we could provide you with when considering what temperature your aquarium should be! Water temperature is vitally important to the health of your fish, which is why it is so dependent on what type of fish you choose to house in your tank. The temperature controls the type of environment your fish live in, can affect their metabolism and is intrinsically linked with their overall health. We’ve put together some general advice, but do ensure you thoroughly researc
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Small pond without a pump, filter and UVC?

A pump combined with a filter and UVC can be the perfect way to stop your pond, big or small, from becoming a stagnant, murky green eyesore. Keeping your pond water moving with a pump will help keep it oxygenated and prevent stagnation. Combine the pump with a filter and UVC for a crystal clear healthy pond environment. When constructing a smaller pond it can be confusing trying to decide what features are necessary. As there are a few factors that will decide whether or not your small pond need
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Guide to Aquarium Lighting

Trying to decide what lighting you need to fit in your aquarium can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not really sure why exactly it is necessary. Learning why your aquarium lighting is important is the first step in making the crucial decision and here at Pond Planet we wanted to make this process a bit more simpler by breaking down your options for you to understand and to help inform your decision, so your aquarium can be well cared for.

What To Consider Before Choosing Your Aq
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Tips To Keep A Pond Clean

If you’ve done your research before you decided to install a pond into your garden then you probably already understand that they require a lot of attention and care to keep them healthy. Here at Pond Planet we like to be the helping hand that all water gardeners need to make the best of their pond; that’s why we’ve put together this guide, to give you little snippets of wisdom on how best to keep your pond clean and tidy and to reduce the workload for you later.

Balancing out the ecosystem of

Small Living Room Ideas | Noa & Nani

Beautiful living room decor isn’t just for large homes. Here at Noa & Nani, we like to ensure all families from all home sizes can make their house perfect for the family to share. That’s why we’ve put together some small living room ideas so that you can make the best out of your smaller space.

Small living room spaces can be ideal for creating a cosy family space, but they can quickly become cramped when not appropriately styled. To help minimise clutter and optimise living space, we’ve put t

Grey Living Room Ideas | Noa & Nani

Grey has become the perfect all-around colour for home decoration and is entirely on-trend right now. It’s a colour that can be dressed up or dressed down to create the perfect look to suit your home, making it the ideal colour choice for your living room.

The living room is a family space that should be designed with the comfort of everyone in mind. Incorporating grey into the decor is an easy way to create a cosy yet elegant room for all to enjoy – even the little ones.

If you’re looking for

Kids Bed Guide | Noa & Nani

The endless choice of kids beds can be an overwhelming minefield for parents to manoeuvre; from single beds to cabin beds, storage beds to bunk beds, how do you know which is the best for your child?

Moving to their first big bed is an important time in both your children’s lives and yours. That’s why you need to know all the options available to you so you can make the transition as fun and straightforward as possible.

Whether you’re looking for your young child’s new bed or your teenagers, o

Kids Mattress Guide | Noa & Nani

Sleep is crucial for a child’s health and wellbeing; their constant growing both mentally and physically largely depends on it. That’s why your child’s mattress must be a perfect choice to ensure a good night’s sleep every evening.

We’ve put together the perfect guide for how to choose the best mattress for a child to ensure they’ll get the best nights sleep and be ready for all the fun and activities you have planned.

Why Is Your Child’s Mattress Important?

Your child’s mattress is essential

Flat Pack Bed & Furniture Guide | Noa & Nani

If your new bed is on its way and is being delivered in a flat pack box, then have no fear. Noa & Nani are here with the ultimate guide to flat pack furniture to help you through the assembly process.

Flat pack furniture doesn’t have to be for the DIY experts. Our top tips will ensure everyone can build their flat pack furniture with ease.

The right combination of patience, preparation and knowledge will make the task of building your flat pack furniture much more straightforward and have your

How To Decide If A Loft Bed is Right For You | Noa & Nani

If you’ve been drawn in by one of our brilliant high sleeper beds, then you probably need to assess if it’s the right choice for your children and your home. As a great investment, the high sleeper bed can provide a range of positives to bedrooms – especially smaller rooms – and can be an exciting choice of bed for your young ones. However, there are some more practical things to consider before you buy one.

Thankfully, we’ve put together some of the pros and cons of buying a loft bed to assist

Bunk Bed Safety Guide | Noa & Nani

Bunk beds are the ideal way for families to save space and to optimise a bedroom’s potential, but when misused, bunk beds can have risks.

By following the basics of our safety guide, we can help parents to ensure their children’s bunk beds are safe, secure, and the perfect place for little ones to sleep peacefully.

Eliminate risks and make your children’s bunk beds a safe place for them to relax, sleep and spend their time in their bedroom. Follow our steps and put your mind to rest.

When use

Choosing The Perfect Dining Room Bench | Noa & Nani

Choosing the perfect dining bench for your dining room depends mainly on the space you have available to fill, the number of people you need to accommodate for and the overall look of your room.

Dining benches have recently received a new lease of life within the interior design world; they’re no longer the informal, uncomfortable seating choice. Nowadays, the dining bench is a contemporary, collaborative space that helps bring a sense of community to any room. Whether it’s for a casual or form

Budget Dining Room Ideas | Noa & Nani

If you’ve found yourself ready for a change in your dining room but you don’t want to break the bank then we’ve got you covered. Here at Noa & Nani, we believe every room in your house should be just how your family wants it, without a huge price tag attached, which is why we have some great, affordable products in our dining room furniture range. In case that isn’t enough, we’ve also put together a few easy tips to revamp your dining room without it costing a lot so you can transform your room

Dining Room Storage Ideas | Noa & Nani

Whether it’s late work nights or getting the children sat down ready to eat smoothly, everyone wants dinner time to be quick, easy and to avoid chaos. Having your place settings, dinner mats and centrepieces close by when they’re needed and stored smartly for a minimal, tidy room is the dream when it comes to your dining room. Decluttering and finding ways to make more space in your dining room is key, this is why we’ve put together some dining room storage ideas. With just a few ways you can sa

White Dining Room Ideas | Noa & Nani

If the time has come to redecorate your dining room, then opting for a clean white finish can be a perfect choice. When done properly, a white dining room decor doesn’t have to feel clinical but instead can feel warm, inviting and can take advantage of everything right about minimal interior design. Forget simplistic and boring dining room decor. Instead, we have the perfect tips to transform one of the family’s most popular rooms into a white haven that exudes the serenity necessary for any fam

How To Transform Your Child's Bedroom Into A Winter Wonderland | Noa & Nani

Winter is finally here, which means it’s almost time to write your letters to Father Christmas, get your tree down from the loft, and enjoy Jack Frost nipping at your nose. The only bad thing about wintertime is that, rather than a nice blanket of enchanting snow, we can often just get drizzle, rain and cold temperatures that leave us all a bit unhappy – especially children who are unable to play outside.

So, instead of everyone looking like a Scrooge this season, why not transform even the mos
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