I’m a firm believer that having little kids does not resign one to a home filled with ugly, hulking, blinking plastic stuff.

That said, I won’t judge you if you actually enjoy having said plastic stuff in your home.  If that’s your thing, then go for it.   But I feel it my duty to present some, ahem, alternative options. Like, say… this rather awesome little number from Land of Nod that bears a striking resemblance to a Verner Panton Panthella table lamp. Cool, yes?

If you’re willing to splurge a bit, you can find wee Philip Stark Ghost chairs at Nest and pint-sized Pantons at the DMA gift shop. Put either chair next to a bunk bed from IKEA (the holy grail of good design on the cheap), and you’ve got the perfect high/low mix. Now all you need is a colorful rug and a big canvas that you let the kids go all Jackson Pollock on to adorn the wall, and you’re good to go.

No batteries required.