Zillow Digs has released its 2015 home trend forecast,which details what's hot — and what's not — for interior design. The annual report combines data from a survey of leading design experts with an analysis of the most popular photos on the site.
Zillow Digs comments that midcentury modern elements "will be one of the biggest up-and-coming design styles for 2015." However, experts advise integrating modern elements sparingly, because you don't want them taking over the house. Or do you?
As for color, blue — especially indigo or navy — is predicted to be the most popular accent hue, in particular because it complements warm earth tones like Marsala, the 2015 Pantone Color of the Year. Blue replaces brights such as coral, purple and teal, which are on their way out with 2014.
Instead of a solid painted accent wall, consider wallpaper, whether digital prints or textured wall coverings. Designers say we should expect to see a rise in available color and texture selections in home stores to accommodate the increased demand. However, please avoid chevron, one of the most overused patterns of 2014. We need a chevron breather, experts say.
Another hot design element for 2015: cowhide, the "ideal accent texture" for the modern yet approachable aesthetic. Find it in pillows, rugs, throws and artwork. No word on whether faux is acceptable, but we'd like to think so.
This final trend may be the most surprising: gold fixtures. Before you have bad flashbacks to the brassy '80s and early '90s, just know the hardware of today is brighter and shinier. Feel free to mix and match finishes throughout your home — or just go bold with all gold.
Midcentury modern elements are a big trend for 2015, but design experts advise to use them sparingly.
Photo courtesy of Ebby Halliday Shoot 2 Sell
Midcentury modern elements are a big trend for 2015, but design experts advise to use them sparingly.
This Round Rock-made game does a lot more than slap themed artwork on its sides.
Anyone can have fun storming the castle with Multimorphic, Inc.'s new pinball game. A leading innovator in the pinball industry, Multimorphic has partnered with The Princess Bride Ltd. to bring the beloved classic film to life through pinball.
Multimorphic, Inc., based in Round Rock, TX, makes a unique machine: a modular pinball game that can swap out art and obstacles to fit a variety of collectible themes. The company now boasts 21 available games, with multiple licensed titles in development, offering a diverse range of experiences for pinball enthusiasts of all skill levels.
The classic '80s satirical film The Princess Bride lends inspiration to Multimorphic's latest release, which came out in February. Much more than a few key art features, the references are all over the game.
It features more than 200 video clips and quotes from the film, guiding players through iconic scenes while rewarding them for executing the right combination of shots. The playfield boasts interactive elements modeled after key locations from the movie, such as Humperdinck's Castle, Miracle Max's Hut, and the Cliffs of Insanity, where the pinball physically climbs the cliffs.
"The core of the pinball community grew up in the '80s and '90s, enjoy this classic, physical form of gaming, and have a lot of nostalgia for films and music from their childhoods," wrote Multimorphic founder Gerry Stellenberg in an email to CultureMap. "The Princess Bride ... has scenes that translate perfectly to pinball modes, has fantastic music from Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, and is loved by just about everybody. It's truly a perfect fit for pinball."
This playfield rests atop a video screen, enabling a versatile display of media right in the gameplay. Rather than just admiring an ideological theme, Stellenberg explains users can experience "playing within the story of the film." Some moving targets will take the shape of Rodents of Unusual Size (R.O.U.S.), and instructions will pop up underneath the ball.
Photo courtesy of Multimorphic, Inc.
"As Grandpa says in the film, 'Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles...', all of which translate perfectly into playable pinball modes," says Stellenberg.
One of those modes, a favorite of the creators, is the Battle of Steel Mode, which allows players to step into the boots of Dread Pirate Roberts and Inigo Montoya in their legendary left-handed battle.
"Because we have multiple buttons on each side of the pinball machine, we actually force you to use only your left hand at the start of the mode by disabling the right-side buttons and mapping the left side buttons to both lower flippers," says Stellenberg. "Then if you hit the correct shots to progress to phase two, you see the clip where both characters switch hands. [The game plays the clip saying,] 'There is something I ought to tell you. I'm not left-handed either,' and then we disable the left side buttons and force you to switch to the buttons on the right side. It's a great moment in the film that we translated directly into gameplay."
Photo courtesy of Multimorphic, Inc.
The Princess Bride pinball game is available in a range of configurations and price points to suit both existing P3 owners and new buyers, with prices ranging from $3,750 for the Standard Game Kit to $13,750 for the ultimate Collector's Edition.
The Collector's Edition, designed for the most dedicated fans of the film, boasts an array of exclusive features, including replica Inigo Montoya swords mounted on the cabinet, bronze powder-coated hardware, a custom backbox display glass, a numbered plaque, and a signed certificate of authenticity.
Pre-orders for The Princess Bride pinball game are now open at multimorphic.com, with production set to begin this summer.
Photo courtesy of Multimorphic, Inc.
This Round Rock-made game does a lot more than slap themed artwork on its sides.