When it comes time to make a change to the house, master bathrooms are at the top of homeowners’ lists of rooms to redo. But the latest report from Houzz reveals surprising trends about what people are choosing to include — or exclude, in some cases.
For example, four out of 10 bathroom remodelers are skipping the tub. And more than half are saying goodbye to privacy when visiting the porcelain throne, choosing instead to leave their new master toilet exposed. Homeowners 35 and older, on the other hand, are more likely to keep their potty privacy.
Speaking of the potty, 91 percent of remodelers are selecting high-efficiency toilets for the redo. In addition, more than a quarter of young homeowners are eschewing the traditional two-piece model in favor of tankless or wall-mounted options.
Other interesting findings? Double sinks are on the rise, and shower curtains are on the decline; in fact, eight out of 10 new bathrooms have glass-enclosed showers. Also, remodelers want to let in the light: 48 percent of respondents are adding a window, 41 percent are adding a lighted vanity and 12 percent want a skylight. Seven percent are spicing up the shower with LED lights in their showerheads.
Houzz surveyed 7,500 users who are in the midst of — or are planning — a bathroom remodel. The home remodeling and design platform connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals so users can find design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews to help turn ideas into reality.
According to a new Houzz study, tubs are being used less and less in bathroom remodels.
Photo courtesy of Rogers Healy and Associates
According to a new Houzz study, tubs are being used less and less in bathroom remodels.
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.