Design ideas to bounce around

This column is part of a series for The New York Times’ Design special section. Readers are invited to send questions to designadvice@nytimes.com.

After a column I wrote last summer about ping pong tables, a reader asked if I could recommend companies that provide a pinball machine for the home.

During my research I came across one Wired magazine article reporting that the most popular pinball machine ever is a pinball machine with a 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 Barbara-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 on moving them casually. They can be quite loud. Although there are volume controls for music or other background noise, the din from the flipper and bumper can be intense. Even with soundproofing, you can bother neighbors with whom you share walls or floors. Some models may also require special wiring. So check in advance whether you need an electrician.

The Pinball company currently sells new, used and restored pinball machines with themes such as ‘Star Wars’, James Bond and ‘Stranger Things’. New models start at about $5,500, while a restored Addams Family issue costs about $25,000.

Vintage arcade offers new and used models, many with movie references (“Jurassic Park,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Deadpool”) starting around $5,000.

American pinball machine, from 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 upon request.

An acquaintance who has killed more bonsai trees than she cares to admit is optimistic that she will finally be able to get one to bloom. But then she would have another problem: it might outlive her. She asked, “Is there a place where you can leave a tree?”

On sources such as the website Bonsai nut there is a wealth of information available about the care of miniature trees. Many people want to be sure that their prized – and often quite valuable – bonsais end up in good hands. If they are properly cared for, they can live for hundreds of years.

Another website, Bonsai kingdomlists bonsai clubs in the United States, some of which accept bequeathed trees.

The American Bonsai Association offers discounted memberships and a magazine subscription, as well as links to major bonsai collections in almost every state. Bonsai owners can contact people in their area to see if they would like to accept donations.

Karen Harkaway, president of the association, says paying attention to bonsais is important in both the long and short term. “An established bonsai that is hundreds of years old can die within days if not properly cared for,” she wrote in an email. She suggested having one plan for a caretaker if the bonsai owner becomes ill, and another plan for the legacy of the tree. “We at ABS have a sample codicil that you can easily add to your will and that will help you with your planning and when consulting with your real estate professional,” she said, using the organization’s shortened name.

The DIY mania encouraged by lockdown means people have bravely ventured into new creative fields, such as frying, baking bread and even making their own curtains. One may wonder: should this ingenuity be imitated or merely admired?

While I can’t speak for most hobbies, my mother sewed all the curtains in our house, including some rather elaborate ceiling-to-floor curtains in the living room. (She and her singer were inseparable; the curtains were even lined.)

Do-it-yourself ingenuity has its limits. I think those who have a sewing machine and know how to use it would find it worthwhile in more ways than one to make one themselves. The easiest curtains are simple: a channel at the top for a rod and a hem at the bottom. Mount the wall brackets, insert the rod through the channel, place the rod between brackets and you’re done. These are nice for bathrooms, bedrooms, dens and other smaller spaces.

The curtains that my mother made were not super difficult per se, but there was a lot more fabric in them, both in width and length. Pleat tape is sewn to the back of the top edge and pleat hooks are placed, creating the pleats. The effect is very elegant and voluminous.

For those who don’t have a sewing machine and skills, I’m less encouraging. It would take a lot of effort and expense to get up to speed. As writer David Rakoff once said about making sushi at home, “It’s like blowing up your own light bulbs.”

With spring and summer just around the corner, here are some options for well-designed outdoor lighting.

As long as there is insect control, dining outside on a warm evening is one of life’s simple pleasures, and a flattering glow from a table lamp only adds to the enjoyment.

Rechargeable models (which typically use USB connections) are the easiest. If necessary, simply remove them from the wall and place them on the table at dusk.

The Seattle company Graypants Studio makes a charming aluminum lamp called Wick, a modern take on an old-fashioned room stick. Wick is available in three finishes and two sizes and starts at $139.

The Ray portable table lamp from the Danish design company Audo Copenhagen has the look of an old kerosene mine lamp, but sleeker and in black or dusty green powder-coated metal. It costs $335.

At the very high end, Design Within Reach offers a teak solar-powered lamp called the Ambient Ray Lantern, which sends a glow through its cage-like structure and costs $2,215.

Finally, consider a candle illuminated by light-emitting diodes. Over the years, these designs have evolved from gimmicky to romantic, especially when presented in clusters or in a chandelier, like the one I recently saw at a restaurant on the Hotel Madame Reve in Paris.

Stephen Treffinger is a New York-based design writer.