Archive | Blog

by Melissa, co-founder of Melissa & Doug.  The holiday season is here! Yet instead of feeling that familiar rush of excitement coming with the deluge of “top toy” lists and holiday catalogs, I find myself in a state of utter … Continue reading →

When decorating any child’s bedroom you must ensure that it looks great, is completely functional and will also offer longevity. So, how to maximise space in a small bedroom without compromising on style and practicality? Multi-functional kid’s bedrooms are becoming … Continue reading →

Exam season is here! This can be a very stressful time of year for both parents and children alike. Parents can make a real difference to how a child deals with exams. Apart from researching tips on how you can help … Continue reading →

Children’s rooms are often shared. A shared bedroom can result in a happy union between two siblings but if a shared space for siblings is not planned carefully, then it can also prove to be a great source of conflict.  … Continue reading →

We are all familiar with it. Most of us grew up with it, but sometimes kids and parents just need to be reminded of the beauty and benefits of toys, like Lego. Lego is the perfect way to advance kids’ … Continue reading →

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. Designing a room for a little person comes with its own unique set of challenges. Not only must your choice of layout and furniture suit the growing needs of a tiny human, … Continue reading →

Brand new and exclusive to Nest, we think this solid oak single bed and bunk bed for kids ticks all the style boxes. A trendy fusion of Scandinavian and retro styling, these rock solid furniture pieces are built to last … Continue reading →

Rejuvenate your child’s bedroom few easy steps. What do you know about Dulux? Most of us know that they do paint and colour, but what you may not know is that Dulux is part of the biggest surface coatings and … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. Sustainable furniture pieces for kids that are made to last! Last night I was sitting reading a book and I realised my sofa was 20 years old. It’s as comfortable as it was … Continue reading →

What is a Trundle Bed? A trundle bed (or truckle bed) is a low, wheeled bed that is stored under a normal bed and can be rolled out for use by visitors or as just another bed. A pop-up trundle … Continue reading →

Snurk has been making bedding for over a decade. Most famous and ever-popular is their kids’ collection! This inspiring range transforms a sleeping child into a life-size astronaut, princess, ballerina, equestrian or whatever your child dreams of being. The talented designers … Continue reading →

by Hannelore Blaauw  This week our blog is written by Hannelore. Mother of 3 children, and one of the founders of Wobbel. Wobbel is exclusive to Nest in South Africa. About children who are bored, and what a gift silence … Continue reading →

by Fiona Campos, Stylist at Little Folks Furniture.  With over 25 years’ experience designing beds for little ones, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks along the way when it comes to creating children’s rooms. Re-designing your child’s room can … Continue reading →

Our fabulous bedding supplier SNURK, cherishes a love of handcraft themes in their much-loved photo prints. Crafting their styles by hand allows their designers to create unexpected textures, influence colour palettes and have the chance to play around with optical illusions … Continue reading →

by Fiona Campos, Stylist at Little Folks Furniture. 2019 is a year of colour filled creations. We’re seeing so many lovely palettes popping up on our Pinterest and Instagram feeds, so we thought we’d share some of our favourite combinations … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. So who went a little declutter crazy at the start of 2019? January is traditionally the time of year when many of us have a bit of a clear out when we’re packing … Continue reading →

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. Nest Designs are thrilled to announce that they have secured the exclusive distribution rights for Wobbel in South Africa. Wobbel is a multi-functional, beautifully crafted, rocking balance board that moves young and … Continue reading →

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. The little person sleeping in the room next to yours may someday be a big thinker, an innovator, a creative or an entrepreneur. Let’s inspire them to dream big and reach for … Continue reading →

Introducing the multi-functional Wobbel Board – exclusive to Nest in South Africa. Hannelore Blaauw tells us how her quest for the perfect plaything led to the invention of this popular toy. Back in 2015, with her son’s third birthday just … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. I was interested to see that in December the restaurant chain Frankie & Benny’s ran a ‘No Phone Campaign’ to make family meal times more sociable. They invited customers to pop their phones into … Continue reading →

If you love interiors, then you may just be aware of the fact that the Dulux and Pantone colours of the year for 2019 are taking on some rich warmth and vivacity for the year ahead. Expect lots of spicy … Continue reading →

by Fiona Campos, Stylist at Little Folks Furniture. Oh we do love a little creative collaboration here at Little Folks Furniture! Despite being a small team of creatives, our product design output is vast and we’re always busy sketching out … Continue reading →

Stylist Fi Campos at Little Folks Furniture has been getting her festive styling game on! If you’re after a homemade crafty accessory to brighten up their bedroom door, then read on! by Fiona Campos, Stylist at Little Folks Furniture. I … Continue reading →

A long car ride can be ideal for quality family time, interesting conversations, and entertaining activities – if you make it a screen-free trip! The most important tip to keep in mind when embarking on a road trip: Don’t be … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. I love getting books at Christmas. My husband, Matthew, and I always buy each other books so I purposely don’t buy any in the lead up to the festivities – then when I … Continue reading →

This stunning, space-saving Radcliffe Highsleeper Bed worth R8,500.00 could be yours!

by Melissa, co-founder of Melissa & Doug.  I wanted to share an incredible experience I had recently speaking about the “play deficit crisis” at Boscov’s, a department store in Milford, Connecticut. Over the past few years, I had met often … Continue reading →

It’s time to get your tropical vibes on! Tropical prints in the design of exotic plants and jungle patterns are a trend for both Spring and Summer this year. They are everywhere, from plate designs, to wallpaper prints and more! As you know, we’re all about providing … Continue reading →

Snuggling into fresh bed linen at the end of a long day is one of life’s greatest little pleasures – for both you and your kids. But despite how enjoyable it is, for some, changing bed linen can be a … Continue reading →

by Melissa, co-founder of Melissa & Doug.  Having just returned from the beach with its incredible bounty of natural gifts, I was struck by the power and profound joy my family finds in collecting. Nothing is off limits when we’re … Continue reading →

by Philippa Logan, Co-owner of SnoreMeds™ Are we snoring at a younger age? To put it simply children and young adults are not out playing and are leading more sedentary lifestyles. Children have stopped climbing trees, playing games in the … Continue reading →

We’re offering one lucky follower the chance to WIN a Little Chef’s Kitchen worth R2,000.00!

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. Bring a touch of whimsy to your child’s sacred space with the help of Nest Designs. Here we share some glorious bedroom ideas for the little people in your life. A Cool … Continue reading →

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. Nest Designs has launched a whole new online look with a style that we love. And to celebrate, they’re offering 10% off everything PLUS free delivery on all orders over R1,000.00. Use code … Continue reading →

by Kristina Buskirk The home is where children learn many of the skills they need to be able to be successful adults. Learning these skills won’t happen overnight, but parents can teach their kids in small and simple ways as … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. As a mum of two children, I know this struggle very well. Trying to get your kids to tidy their room can be hard work – and often it just feels easier to … Continue reading →

by Melissa, co-founder of Melissa & Doug.  We are finally beginning to understand the importance of play for children, but how many of us recognize that it is essential to keep playing throughout our entire lives? Recently, I started a series of … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. When I founded Tidy Books in 2004 it was never my intention to be a trend-setter. In fact, being trendy was absolutely NOT what I wanted my business to be about. I never … Continue reading →

School is out! July holidays are in full swing and I guess, many parents are wondering how to keep their kids occupied. When it’s too cold for kids to play outside, I believe that a great play and learning space … Continue reading →

by Leigh from The Mom Diaries http://www.themomdiaries.co.za/ Living in an old Art Deco apartment means we have had to think smart around how we utilise our space. While our home may be big as far as flats go, we don’t … Continue reading →

Keep bedrooms and playrooms tidy and organised with this handy Nantucket Storage Bench worth R3,800.00!  

by Melissa, co-founder of Melissa & Doug.  Let’s talk about failure. For a good part of my life, I was petrified of failing. I was committed to achieving 100% perfection in everything I did. I became entirely defined by the … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. Telling the time is so natural to most of us, that we forget kids don’t have the same concept of telling time.  I was chatting to a friend the other day about her … Continue reading →

Two solutions to convince your toddler to get into bed – 1) with an awesome Nest Toddler Bed 2) with the 100 easy (and funny) steps listed in the following article from The Honest Toddler: A Child’s Guide to Parenting.  1. … Continue reading →

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. Now here’s a toy that they’ll never want to give away, even when they are all grown up! Children are creative and can always find ways to use their imagination and pretend … Continue reading →

by Melissa & Doug Playing Up Girl Power! We want to encourage girls to have big dreams and pursue them and to believe that anything is possible! How can we raise a generation of powerful girls (and boys) who embrace … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. I loved reading aloud to my children when they were growing up. To curl up with a book and watch their inquisitive faces as I shared a story with them was such a … Continue reading →

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. Nurture your child’s creativity and confidence with a fun new range of bespoke bedding to elevate their bedrooms and promote the sweetest of dreams. Nest Designs bring us these gorgeous fantasy bedding offerings from … Continue reading →

It is no surprise that children spend a lot of time in their bedroom. Used for sleeping, playing and working, it follows that their space should be a reflection of their personalities. Stylish, practical, fun, cosy and comfortable – our … Continue reading →

Putting kids to bed does not always go smoothly for everyone. Nine times out of ten things don’t go to plan. Kids will try anything to stay up for an extra half an hour. Here are three tips to make … Continue reading →

It’s that time of year again! The holidays are long gone and now you’re wondering what the new year will bring in terms of new style trends to enjoy. Well, for kids you can get the scoop right here! We’ve … Continue reading →

Stand a chance of winning this fantastic Harley Bunk Bed with plenty of storage capacity worth R11,500.00!

It’s a new year! Take some time to reflect. Put pen to paper and jot down the first thoughts that come to mind. Don’t put any restrictions on what you write down – just let you thoughts flow naturally. Here … Continue reading →

School is out – and kids can’t get their uniforms off quickly enough. Summer holidays are here and they’ve got six whole weeks to relax and have fun, so doing anything remotely school-related will be the last thing on their … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. Wondering what to put in the kids’ Christmas stocking this year? Well the National Literacy Trust is encouraging everyone to buy a diary or a journal as a gift. They believe writing a journal is … Continue reading →

Here at NEST we acknowledge that the alphabet is the building block of literacy and that learning the alphabet should begin early in a child’s life. We understand that children must learn to recognise and name the letters of the … Continue reading →

Giving kids a specific area for their toys allows them to develop a sense of responsibility for their play space. A dedicated area is also the best way to organise kids toys and minimise the amount of mess in other … Continue reading →

Kiddimoto, the UK’s original balance bike company has made learning the art of balance and coordination fun and rewarding for over 14 years. The balance bike market is experiencing phenomenal growth and Kiddimoto is firmly at the forefront of these … Continue reading →

We have a 2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award Finalist in our range! CATEGORY: INFANT/PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR Toys that are developed for infants/preschoolers (up to 5 years) Wash ‘N Go Wooden Car Garage Packed with interactive, imaginative … Continue reading →

Following the current trend for diverse, creative shelving solutions, why not dedicate a boring, bare stretch of wall to a shallow display shelf? Children are natural collectors, so select a shelf that will allow maximum flexibility as its use changes … Continue reading →

We’re offering one lucky follower the chance to WIN a Deluxe Play Kitchen worth R4,500.00 incl. vat.

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. Recently, I was talking about bunk beds – as you do – with one of my friends. She grew up sharing a bunk bed with her sister and had such sweet memories of … Continue reading →

Quick, easy and great value. Keep costs down and make life simple with one of our money-saving bundles. Where it makes sense, we’ve bundled some of our products together into one cheaper package. There is also the option of buying … Continue reading →

by Kiddimoto.  Kiddimoto is exclusive to NEST in South Africa. They’ve got no pedals but are the perfect introduction to cycling for toddlers and pre-schoolers. A balance bike is a bike without pedals designed to teach children how to cycle … Continue reading →

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. September 12, 2017. Well hello there play time! Today Nest Designs is launching a fabulous range of play equipment and toys for the little ones! The secret is out! And what’s better is that Nest … Continue reading →

Here are our 5 top tips to help your sleepovers go like clockwork. Plan Ahead Perhaps arrange an activity during the day before the sleepover. This will make sure your little guests are nice and tired before bedtime. The Guided … Continue reading →

by Marcia Margolius, editor of SA Decor and Design. Cleaning and children do not always go together. In fact, the two concepts may seem contradictory, so here is some useful input and advice on how to get your little ones involved … Continue reading →

We always take a great deal of care deciding on our hand-picked selection of wonderful toys and gifts. Many are exclusive to NEST in South Africa. Right now, we’re in the final stages of rounding up what we believe are … Continue reading →

As the name suggests, it is meant to promote awareness of the inconveniences faced by left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world. Right-handed gadgets, awkwardly designed desks, cooking tools that fit comfortably in your right hand (now that’s just not right!). … Continue reading →

A mudroom is a great room to have in your house, especially if your family loves the great outdoors! A mudroom serves as a barrier between the outside and the rest of your home. This area can be used to: … Continue reading →

Of course layout is always going to be dependent on the size and shape of your bathroom and budget. Are you completely gutting the space or refreshing it cosmetically? Layout options are more limited when relying on existing plumbing, drains, … Continue reading →

We’re halfway through 2017 and there’s no better time to get things back on track for the year and no better time to think about whether or not you are prepared for the coming summer! And the burning question…will your … Continue reading →

by Geraldine Grandidier, founder of Tidy Books. Recently, I’ve been reading a lot about indoor air pollution and I am alarmed to discover that the air in our homes can be up to five times more polluted than the air … Continue reading →

When a television company uses your brand in their programming, it’s a powerful endorsement! The Tidy Books® kid’s bookcase has recently been featured in two television programmes. Spot the Tidy Books® Wooden Alphabet Bookcase on the BBC’s Cbeebies Channel and … Continue reading →

A magical bedroom is more than a place to study and sleep, it’s a place that inspires dreams. Stand a chance of winning this beautiful, full adult size, single, solid wood Charterhouse Bed in Antique White worth R11,000.00!

Today Americans are celebrating National Chocolate Chip Day, so we are sharing this easy to make Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from the talented Donna Hay. Cookies, a reminder of our simpler days of childhood when milk and cookies were an … Continue reading →

Here at Nest we believe reading is always in! However, nowadays there are so many other activities competing for children’s time, that motivating them to read has now become one of those agony-ecstasy tasks for most parents. Research has shown that children who … Continue reading →

Thinking about buying a Bunk Bed? At NEST we feel that the advantages of having a bunk bed really do outweigh the disadvantages. The key is to find a bunk bed that is safe and comfortable and that most suits … Continue reading →

See just how easy it is to put together one of our Fargo High Sleepers…

Not only are bunk beds the most practical way to accommodate room sharing and sleepovers, they also let you use the same valuable floor space twice. Our unisex range of bunks can be styled to suit any room. Some even … Continue reading →

I have always loved gingham. It’s a classic, versatile pattern that never seems to go out of style. Gingham is a repeating pattern of three colours in four squares: white next to a medium shade, over the same medium shade … Continue reading →

The importance of bedtime and becoming independent… It’s well known that sleep is vital to a child’s development. In fact, research has shown that a good nights’ sleep is just as important as a healthy diet and exercise. Children are … Continue reading →

Our high quality kids furniture is tested to meet stringent safety standards. We understand the importance of giving children an inspirational and fun space in which to sleep and grow up – but it should also be safe and comfortable. … Continue reading →

Our friends at Little Folks Furniture have come up with these 8 simple rules to make you a better parent – and make your life easier at the same time! Here at Little Folks, nearly all of us have small … Continue reading →

You’ve paid good money for your NEST furniture, so a few minutes spent reading this could save you a lot of trouble and expense. BEFORE YOU START We strongly advise against the use of power tools. Although quicker in many … Continue reading →

Whichever team you support, we have a range that’s just perfect for all you sports fans! If we were to ask you what is one of the most popular bedroom themes for boys, most of you would say ‘Sports’ right? … Continue reading →