Advice on personal pinball machines, the long life of bonsais, homemade curtains and outdoor lamps.
This column is part of a series for the Design special section of The New York Times. Readers are invited to send questions to [email protected].
After a column I wrote last summer that touched on Ping-Pong tables, a reader asked if I could recommend companies supplying a pinball machine for his home.
In researching, I came across a Wired magazine article reporting that the most popular pinball machine ever is one with an Addams Family theme, released by Bally/Midway in 1992. Even today it is popular with collectors. (I would have guessed something more intergalactic, decorated with Barbarella-like figures.)
The machines have a few practical considerations. They can be heavy — 200 to 300 pounds or more — so make sure your floor can handle the weight, and don’t plan to relocate them casually. They can be quite loud. Although there are volume controls for music or other background sounds, the flipper and bumper clamor can be intense. Even with soundproofing, you may bother neighbors with whom you share walls or floors. Some models may also require special wiring, so check in advance if you will need an electrician.
The Pinball Company currently sells new, used and restored pinball machines with themes that include “Star Wars,” James Bond and “Stranger Things.” New models start at around $5,500, while a restored Addams Family number runs about $25,000.
Vintage Arcade offers new and used models, many with movie references (“Jurassic Park,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Deadpool”) starting at about $5,000.
American Pinball, out of Chicago (which it calls “the pinball capital of the world”), has developed its own themes, including “Galactic Tank Force” and “Houdini.” The company’s website links to local suppliers, and prices are often given on request.