diff --git a/src/args.jl b/src/args.jl
index d146d966..ad4cae15 100644
--- a/src/args.jl
+++ b/src/args.jl
@@ -57,6 +57,9 @@ is3d(seriestype::Symbol) = seriestype in _3dTypes
 is3d(series::Series) = is3d(series.d)
 is3d(d::KW) = trueOrAllTrue(is3d, d[:seriestype])
 
+is3d(sp::Subplot) = string(sp.attr[:projection]) == "3d"
+ispolar(sp::Subplot) = string(sp.attr[:projection]) == "polar"
+
 const _allStyles = [:auto, :solid, :dash, :dot, :dashdot, :dashdotdot]
 @compat const _styleAliases = KW(
     :a    => :auto,
@@ -171,7 +174,7 @@ const _plot_defaults = KW(
     :foreground_color            => :auto,             # default for all foregrounds, and title color,
     :size                        => (600,400),
     :pos                         => (0,0),
-    :windowtitle                 => "Plots.jl",
+    :window_title                 => "Plots.jl",
     :show                        => false,
     :layout                      => 1,
     # :num_subplots                => -1,
@@ -231,6 +234,7 @@ const _suppress_warnings = KW(
     :x_discrete_indices => nothing,
     :y_discrete_indices => nothing,
     :z_discrete_indices => nothing,
+    :subplot => nothing,
 )
 
 # add defaults for the letter versions
@@ -381,7 +385,7 @@ add_aliases(:colorbar, :cb, :cbar, :colorkey)
 add_aliases(:smooth, :regression, :reg)
 add_aliases(:levels, :nlevels, :nlev, :levs)
 add_aliases(:size, :windowsize, :wsize)
-add_aliases(:windowtitle, :wtitle)
+add_aliases(:window_title, :windowtitle, :wtitle)
 add_aliases(:show, :gui, :display)
 add_aliases(:color_palette, :palette)
 add_aliases(:linkx, :xlink)
@@ -627,7 +631,7 @@ function preprocessArgs!(d::KW)
         end
         # delete!(d, asym)
 
-        # # NOTE: this logic was moved to _add_plotargs...
+        # # NOTE: this logic was moved to _add_attr...
         # # turn :labels into :ticks_and_labels
         # tsym = symbol(letter * "ticks")
         # if haskey(d, tsym) && ticksType(d[tsym]) == :labels
@@ -913,9 +917,9 @@ function color_or_match!(d::KW, k::Symbol, match_color)
 end
 
 
-# update plotargs from an input dictionary
+# update attr from an input dictionary
 function _update_plot_args(plt::Plot, d_in::KW)
-    pargs = plt.plotargs
+    pargs = plt.attr
     for (k,v) in _plot_defaults
         slice_arg!(d_in, pargs, k, v)
     end
@@ -934,7 +938,7 @@ end
 
 # update a subplots args and axes
 function _update_subplot_args(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, d_in::KW, subplot_index::Integer)
-    pargs = plt.plotargs
+    pargs = plt.attr
     spargs = sp.attr
     # @show subplot_index, sp
     for (k,v) in _subplot_defaults
@@ -1040,7 +1044,7 @@ function has_black_border_for_default(st::Symbol)
 end
 #
 # # build the argument dictionary for a series
-# function getSeriesArgs(pkg::AbstractBackend, plotargs::KW, kw, commandIndex::Int, plotIndex::Int, globalIndex::Int)  # TODO, pass in plotargs, not plt
+# function getSeriesArgs(pkg::AbstractBackend, attr::KW, kw, commandIndex::Int, plotIndex::Int, globalIndex::Int)  # TODO, pass in attr, not plt
 #     kwdict = KW(kw)
 #     d = KW()
 #
@@ -1065,21 +1069,21 @@ end
 #     aliasesAndAutopick(d, :markershape, _markerAliases, supportedMarkers(pkg), plotIndex)
 #
 #     # update color
-#     d[:seriescolor] = getSeriesRGBColor(d[:seriescolor], plotargs, plotIndex)
+#     d[:seriescolor] = getSeriesRGBColor(d[:seriescolor], attr, plotIndex)
 #
 #     # # update linecolor
 #     # c = d[:linecolor]
-#     # c = (c == :match ? d[:seriescolor] : getSeriesRGBColor(c, plotargs, plotIndex))
+#     # c = (c == :match ? d[:seriescolor] : getSeriesRGBColor(c, attr, plotIndex))
 #     # d[:linecolor] = c
 #
 #     # # update markercolor
 #     # c = d[:markercolor]
-#     # c = (c == :match ? d[:seriescolor] : getSeriesRGBColor(c, plotargs, plotIndex))
+#     # c = (c == :match ? d[:seriescolor] : getSeriesRGBColor(c, attr, plotIndex))
 #     # d[:markercolor] = c
 #
 #     # # update fillcolor
 #     # c = d[:fillcolor]
-#     # c = (c == :match ? d[:seriescolor] : getSeriesRGBColor(c, plotargs, plotIndex))
+#     # c = (c == :match ? d[:seriescolor] : getSeriesRGBColor(c, attr, plotIndex))
 #     # d[:fillcolor] = c
 #
 #     # update colors
@@ -1091,13 +1095,13 @@ end
 #                 d[:seriescolor]
 #             end
 #         else
-#             getSeriesRGBColor(d[csym], plotargs, plotIndex)
+#             getSeriesRGBColor(d[csym], attr, plotIndex)
 #         end
 #     end
 #
 #     # update markerstrokecolor
 #     c = d[:markerstrokecolor]
-#     c = (c == :match ? plotargs[:foreground_color] : getSeriesRGBColor(c, plotargs, plotIndex))
+#     c = (c == :match ? attr[:foreground_color] : getSeriesRGBColor(c, attr, plotIndex))
 #     d[:markerstrokecolor] = c
 #
 #     # update alphas
diff --git a/src/backends.jl b/src/backends.jl
index e8ceec80..5b78aab6 100644
--- a/src/backends.jl
+++ b/src/backends.jl
@@ -48,15 +48,16 @@ include("backends/web.jl")
 plot(pkg::AbstractBackend; kw...)                       = error("plot($pkg; kw...) is not implemented")
 plot!(pkg::AbstractBackend, plt::Plot; kw...)           = error("plot!($pkg, plt; kw...) is not implemented")
 _update_plot(pkg::AbstractBackend, plt::Plot, d::KW)  = error("_update_plot($pkg, plt, d) is not implemented")
-# subplot(pkg::AbstractBackend; kw...)                    = error("subplot($pkg; kw...) is not implemented")
-# subplot!(pkg::AbstractBackend, subplt::Subplot; kw...)  = error("subplot!($pkg, subplt; kw...) is not implemented")
 
 # don't do anything as a default
 _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot) = nothing
+_initialize_subplot(plt::Plot, sp::Subplot) = nothing
+_update_min_padding!(sp::Subplot) = nothing
+_update_position!(sp::Subplot) = nothing
 _before_update(plt::Plot) = nothing
-_series_added(plt::Plot) = nothing
-# _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot, anns::AVec{Tuple{X,Y,V}}) = nothing
-# _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW) = nothing
+_series_added(plt::Plot, series::Series) = nothing
+_update_plot(plt::Plot, d::KW) = nothing
+_series_updated(plt::Plot, series::Series) = nothing
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------
 
diff --git a/src/backends/bokeh.jl b/src/backends/bokeh.jl
index 9ff99ad6..5d3c46db 100644
--- a/src/backends/bokeh.jl
+++ b/src/backends/bokeh.jl
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ supportedArgs(::BokehBackend) = [
     # :show,
     :size,
     :title,
-    # :windowtitle,
+    # :window_title,
     :x,
     # :xguide,
     # :xlims,
@@ -134,11 +134,11 @@ function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{BokehBackend})
   datacolumns = Bokeh.BokehDataSet[]
   tools = Bokeh.tools()
   filename = tempname() * ".html"
-  title = plt.plotargs[:title]
-  w, h = plt.plotargs[:size]
-  xaxis_type = plt.plotargs[:xscale] == :log10 ? :log : :auto
-  yaxis_type = plt.plotargs[:yscale] == :log10 ? :log : :auto
-  # legend = plt.plotargs[:legend] ? xxxx : nothing
+  title = plt.attr[:title]
+  w, h = plt.attr[:size]
+  xaxis_type = plt.attr[:xscale] == :log10 ? :log : :auto
+  yaxis_type = plt.attr[:yscale] == :log10 ? :log : :auto
+  # legend = plt.attr[:legend] ? xxxx : nothing
   legend = nothing
   extra_args = KW()  # TODO: we'll put extra settings (xlim, etc) here
   Bokeh.Plot(datacolumns, tools, filename, title, w, h, xaxis_type, yaxis_type, legend) #, extra_args)
diff --git a/src/backends/gadfly.jl b/src/backends/gadfly.jl
index 4c1790ed..359a724c 100644
--- a/src/backends/gadfly.jl
+++ b/src/backends/gadfly.jl
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ supportedArgs(::GadflyBackend) = [
     :markerstrokewidth, :markerstrokecolor, :markerstrokealpha,
     :fillrange, :fillcolor, :fillalpha,
     :bins, :n, :nc, :nr, :layout, :smooth,
-    :title, :windowtitle, :show, :size,
+    :title, :window_title, :show, :size,
     :x, :xguide, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip,
     :y, :yguide, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip,
     # :z, :zguide, :zlims, :zticks, :zscale, :zflip,
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ function getMarkerGeom(d::KW)
     end
 end
 
-function getGadflyMarkerTheme(d::KW, plotargs::KW)
+function getGadflyMarkerTheme(d::KW, attr::KW)
     c = getColor(d[:markercolor])
     α = d[:markeralpha]
     if α != nothing
@@ -216,15 +216,15 @@ function getGadflyMarkerTheme(d::KW, plotargs::KW)
 end
 
 function addGadflyContColorScale(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend}, c)
-    plt.plotargs[:colorbar] == :none && return
+    plt.attr[:colorbar] == :none && return
     if !isa(c, ColorGradient)
         c = default_gradient()
     end
     push!(getGadflyContext(plt).scales, Gadfly.Scale.ContinuousColorScale(p -> RGB(getColorZ(c, p))))
 end
 
-function addGadflyMarker!(plt::Plot, numlayers::Int, d::KW, plotargs::KW, geoms...)
-    gfargs = vcat(geoms..., getGadflyMarkerTheme(d, plotargs), getMarkerGeom(d))
+function addGadflyMarker!(plt::Plot, numlayers::Int, d::KW, attr::KW, geoms...)
+    gfargs = vcat(geoms..., getGadflyMarkerTheme(d, attr), getMarkerGeom(d))
     kwargs = KW()
 
     # handle continuous color scales for the markers
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ end
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 function addToGadflyLegend(plt::Plot, d::KW)
-    if plt.plotargs[:legend] != :none && d[:label] != ""
+    if plt.attr[:legend] != :none && d[:label] != ""
         gplt = getGadflyContext(plt)
 
         # add the legend if needed
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ function addGadflySeries!(plt::Plot, d::KW)
 
     # markers
     if d[:markershape] != :none || st == :shape
-        prepend!(layers, addGadflyMarker!(plt, length(gplt.layers), d, plt.plotargs, smooth...))
+        prepend!(layers, addGadflyMarker!(plt, length(gplt.layers), d, plt.attr, smooth...))
     end
 
     st in (:hist2d, :hexbin, :contour) || addToGadflyLegend(plt, d)
@@ -575,7 +575,7 @@ end
 #     Plot(gplt, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
 # end
 function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend})
-    createGadflyPlotObject(plt.plotargs)
+    createGadflyPlotObject(plt.attr)
 end
 
 
@@ -674,8 +674,8 @@ getGadflyContext(plt::Plot{GadflyBackend}) = plt.o
 # end
 
 setGadflyDisplaySize(w,h) = Compose.set_default_graphic_size(w * Compose.px, h * Compose.px)
-setGadflyDisplaySize(plt::Plot) = setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.plotargs[:size]...)
-# setGadflyDisplaySize(subplt::Subplot) = setGadflyDisplaySize(getplotargs(subplt, 1)[:size]...)
+setGadflyDisplaySize(plt::Plot) = setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.attr[:size]...)
+# setGadflyDisplaySize(subplt::Subplot) = setGadflyDisplaySize(getattr(subplt, 1)[:size]...)
 # -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
@@ -703,13 +703,13 @@ end
 
 
 function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{GadflyBackend})
-    setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.plotargs[:size]...)
+    setGadflyDisplaySize(plt.attr[:size]...)
     display(plt.o)
 end
 
 
 # function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, subplt::Subplot{GadflyBackend})
-#     setGadflyDisplaySize(getplotargs(subplt,1)[:size]...)
+#     setGadflyDisplaySize(getattr(subplt,1)[:size]...)
 #     ctx = buildGadflySubplotContext(subplt)
 #
 #     # taken from Gadfly since I couldn't figure out how to do it directly
diff --git a/src/backends/glvisualize.jl b/src/backends/glvisualize.jl
index e654e373..965201d0 100644
--- a/src/backends/glvisualize.jl
+++ b/src/backends/glvisualize.jl
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ supportedArgs(::GLVisualizeBackend) = [
     # :show,
     # :size,
     # :title,
-    # :windowtitle,
+    # :window_title,
     # :x,
     # :xguide,
     # :xlims,
diff --git a/src/backends/gr.jl b/src/backends/gr.jl
index 263cd76e..f42e4634 100644
--- a/src/backends/gr.jl
+++ b/src/backends/gr.jl
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ supportedArgs(::GRBackend) = [
     :bins,
     :n, :nc, :nr, :layout,
     :smooth,
-    :title, :windowtitle, :show, :size,
+    :title, :window_title, :show, :size,
     :x, :xguide, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip,
     :y, :yguide, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip,
     # :axis, :yrightlabel,
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ end
 
 function gr_display(plt::Plot{GRBackend}, clear=true, update=true,
                     subplot=[0, 1, 0, 1])
-  d = plt.plotargs
+  d = plt.attr
 
   clear && GR.clearws()
 
@@ -879,10 +879,10 @@ end
 # end
 
 function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{GRBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
-  if haskey(plt.plotargs, :anns)
-    append!(plt.plotargs[:anns], anns)
+  if haskey(plt.attr, :anns)
+    append!(plt.attr[:anns], anns)
   else
-    plt.plotargs[:anns] = anns
+    plt.attr[:anns] = anns
   end
 end
 
@@ -893,7 +893,7 @@ end
 
 function _update_plot(plt::Plot{GRBackend}, d::KW)
   for k in (:title, :xguide, :yguide)
-    haskey(d, k) && (plt.plotargs[k] = d[k])
+    haskey(d, k) && (plt.attr[k] = d[k])
   end
 end
 
diff --git a/src/backends/immerse.jl b/src/backends/immerse.jl
index a1bab77b..42576158 100644
--- a/src/backends/immerse.jl
+++ b/src/backends/immerse.jl
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ end
 
 function createImmerseFigure(d::KW)
   w,h = d[:size]
-  figidx = Immerse.figure(; name = d[:windowtitle], width = w, height = h)
+  figidx = Immerse.figure(; name = d[:window_title], width = w, height = h)
   Immerse.Figure(figidx)
 end
 
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ end
 #   Plot((nothing,gplt), pkg, 0, d, KW[])
 # end
 function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend})
-    (nothing, createGadflyPlotObject(plt.plotargs))
+    (nothing, createGadflyPlotObject(plt.attr))
 end
 
 
@@ -95,10 +95,10 @@ end
 #
 # function showSubplotObject(subplt::Subplot{ImmerseBackend})
 #   # create the Gtk window with vertical box vsep
-#   d = getplotargs(subplt,1)
+#   d = getattr(subplt,1)
 #   w,h = d[:size]
 #   vsep = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:v)
-#   win = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(vsep, d[:windowtitle], w, h)
+#   win = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(vsep, d[:window_title], w, h)
 #
 #   figindices = []
 #   row = Gtk.GtkBoxLeaf(:h)
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{ImmerseBackend})
 
   fig, gplt = plt.o
   if fig == nothing
-    fig = createImmerseFigure(plt.plotargs)
+    fig = createImmerseFigure(plt.attr)
     Gtk.on_signal_destroy((x...) -> (Immerse.dropfig(Immerse._display, fig.figno); plt.o = (nothing,gplt)), fig.canvas)
     plt.o = (fig, gplt)
   end
diff --git a/src/backends/pgfplots.jl b/src/backends/pgfplots.jl
index 96a25299..fb351306 100644
--- a/src/backends/pgfplots.jl
+++ b/src/backends/pgfplots.jl
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ supportedArgs(::PGFPlotsBackend) = [
     # :show,
      :size,
      :title,
-    # :windowtitle,
+    # :window_title,
      :x,
      :xguide,
      :xlims,
@@ -246,10 +246,10 @@ end
 
 function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
   # set or add to the annotation_list
-  if haskey(plt.plotargs, :annotation_list)
-    append!(plt.plotargs[:annotation_list], anns)
+  if haskey(plt.attr, :annotation_list)
+    append!(plt.attr[:annotation_list], anns)
   else
-    plt.plotargs[:annotation_list] = anns
+    plt.attr[:annotation_list] = anns
   end
 end
 
@@ -362,11 +362,11 @@ function _make_pgf_plot(plt::Plot{PGFPlotsBackend})
     os = Any[]
     # We need to send the :legend KW to the axis
     for plt_series in plt.seriesargs
-        plt_series[:legend] = plt.plotargs[:legend]
+        plt_series[:legend] = plt.attr[:legend]
         push!(os, _pgfplots_axis(plt_series))
     end
-    axisargs  =_pgfplots_get_axis_kwargs(plt.plotargs)
-    w, h = map(px2mm, plt.plotargs[:size])
+    axisargs  =_pgfplots_get_axis_kwargs(plt.attr)
+    w, h = map(px2mm, plt.attr[:size])
     plt.o = PGFPlots.Axis([os...]; width = "$w mm", height = "$h mm", axisargs...)
 end
 
diff --git a/src/backends/plotly.jl b/src/backends/plotly.jl
index 19cecc45..9c6e0a42 100644
--- a/src/backends/plotly.jl
+++ b/src/backends/plotly.jl
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ supportedArgs(::PlotlyBackend) = [
     :bins,
     :n, :nc, :nr, :layout,
     # :smooth,
-    :title, :windowtitle, :show, :size,
+    :title, :window_title, :show, :size,
     :x, :xguide, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip, :xrotation,
     :y, :yguide, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip, :yrotation,
     :z, :zguide, :zlims, :zticks, :zscale, :zflip, :zrotation,
@@ -97,26 +97,26 @@ end
 #   plt
 # end
 
-function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
-  # set or add to the annotation_list
-  if haskey(plt.plotargs, :annotation_list)
-    append!(plt.plotargs[:annotation_list], anns)
-  else
-    plt.plotargs[:annotation_list] = anns
-  end
-end
+# function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
+#   # set or add to the annotation_list
+#   if haskey(plt.attr, :annotation_list)
+#     append!(plt.attr[:annotation_list], anns)
+#   else
+#     plt.attr[:annotation_list] = anns
+#   end
+# end
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
-function _before_update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
-end
+# function _before_update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
+# end
+#
+# # TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
+# function _update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, d::KW)
+# end
 
-# TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
-function _update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, d::KW)
-end
-
-function _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend}, d::KW)
-end
+# function _update_plot_pos_size(plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend}, d::KW)
+# end
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -140,41 +140,41 @@ end
 #   true
 # end
 
-function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: call expand limits for each plot data
-end
-
-function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, isx::Bool)
-  # TODO: if plot is inner subplot, might need to remove ticks or axis labels
-end
+# function _expand_limits(lims, plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, isx::Bool)
+#   # TODO: call expand limits for each plot data
+# end
+#
+# function _remove_axis(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, isx::Bool)
+#   # TODO: if plot is inner subplot, might need to remove ticks or axis labels
+# end
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 function plotlyfont(font::Font, color = font.color)
-  KW(
-      :family => font.family,
-      :size   => round(Int, font.pointsize*1.4),
-      :color  => webcolor(color),
+    KW(
+        :family => font.family,
+        :size   => round(Int, font.pointsize*1.4),
+        :color  => webcolor(color),
     )
 end
 
 function get_annotation_dict(x, y, val::Union{AbstractString,Symbol})
-  KW(
-      :text => val,
-      :xref => "x",
-      :x => x,
-      :yref => "y",
-      :y => y,
-      :showarrow => false,
+    KW(
+        :text => val,
+        :xref => "x",
+        :x => x,
+        :yref => "y",
+        :y => y,
+        :showarrow => false,
     )
 end
 
 function get_annotation_dict(x, y, ptxt::PlotText)
-  merge(get_annotation_dict(x, y, ptxt.str), KW(
-      :font => plotlyfont(ptxt.font),
-      :xanchor => ptxt.font.halign == :hcenter ? :center : ptxt.font.halign,
-      :yanchor => ptxt.font.valign == :vcenter ? :middle : ptxt.font.valign,
-      :rotation => ptxt.font.rotation,
+    merge(get_annotation_dict(x, y, ptxt.str), KW(
+        :font => plotlyfont(ptxt.font),
+        :xanchor => ptxt.font.halign == :hcenter ? :center : ptxt.font.halign,
+        :yanchor => ptxt.font.valign == :vcenter ? :middle : ptxt.font.valign,
+        :rotation => ptxt.font.rotation,
     ))
 end
 
@@ -202,118 +202,133 @@ end
 # end
 
 function plotlyscale(scale::Symbol)
-  if scale == :log10
-    "log"
-  else
-    "-"
-  end
+    if scale == :log10
+        "log"
+    else
+        "-"
+    end
 end
 
 use_axis_field(ticks) = !(ticks in (nothing, :none))
 
-tickssym(letter) = symbol(letter * "ticks")
-limssym(letter) = symbol(letter * "lims")
-flipsym(letter) = symbol(letter * "flip")
-scalesym(letter) = symbol(letter * "scale")
-labelsym(letter) = symbol(letter * "label")
-rotationsym(letter) = symbol(letter * "rotation")
+# tickssym(letter) = symbol(letter * "ticks")
+# limssym(letter) = symbol(letter * "lims")
+# flipsym(letter) = symbol(letter * "flip")
+# scalesym(letter) = symbol(letter * "scale")
+# labelsym(letter) = symbol(letter * "label")
+# rotationsym(letter) = symbol(letter * "rotation")
 
-function plotlyaxis(d::KW, letter)
-  ax = KW(
-      :title      => d[labelsym(letter)],
-      :showgrid   => d[:grid],
-      :zeroline   => false,
+function plotlyaxis(axis::Axis, sp::Subplot{PlotlyBackend})
+    letter = axis[:letter]
+    d = axis.d
+    ax = KW(
+        :title      => d[:guide],
+        :showgrid   => sp.attr[:grid],
+        :zeroline   => false,
     )
 
-  fgcolor = webcolor(d[:foreground_color])
-  tsym = tickssym(letter)
+    # fgcolor = webcolor(d[:foreground_color])
+    # tsym = tickssym(letter)
 
-  rot = d[rotationsym(letter)]
-  if rot != 0
-      ax[:tickangle] = rot
-  end
-
-  if use_axis_field(d[tsym])
-    ax[:titlefont] = plotlyfont(d[:guidefont], fgcolor)
-    ax[:type] = plotlyscale(d[scalesym(letter)])
-    ax[:tickfont] = plotlyfont(d[:tickfont], fgcolor)
-    ax[:tickcolor] = fgcolor
-    ax[:linecolor] = fgcolor
-
-    # xlims
-    lims = d[limssym(letter)]
-    if lims != :auto && limsType(lims) == :limits
-      ax[:range] = lims
+    rot = d[:rotation]
+    if rot != 0
+        ax[:tickangle] = rot
     end
 
-    # xflip
-    if d[flipsym(letter)]
-      ax[:autorange] = "reversed"
-    end
+    if use_axis_field(d[:ticks])
+        ax[:titlefont] = plotlyfont(d[:guidefont], webcolor(d[:foreground_color_guide]))
+        ax[:type] = plotlyscale(d[:scale])
+        ax[:tickfont] = plotlyfont(d[:tickfont], webcolor(d[:foreground_color_text]))
+        ax[:tickcolor] = webcolor(d[:foreground_color_border])
+        ax[:linecolor] = webcolor(d[:foreground_color_border])
 
-    # xticks
-    ticks = d[tsym]
-    if ticks != :auto
-      ttype = ticksType(ticks)
-      if ttype == :ticks
-        ax[:tickmode] = "array"
-        ax[:tickvals] = ticks
-      elseif ttype == :ticks_and_labels
-        ax[:tickmode] = "array"
-        ax[:tickvals], ax[:ticktext] = ticks
-      end
+        # lims
+        lims = d[:lims]
+        if lims != :auto && limsType(lims) == :limits
+            ax[:range] = lims
+        end
+
+        # flip
+        if d[:flip]
+            ax[:autorange] = "reversed"
+        end
+
+        # ticks
+        ticks = d[:ticks]
+        if ticks != :auto
+            ttype = ticksType(ticks)
+            if ttype == :ticks
+                ax[:tickmode] = "array"
+                ax[:tickvals] = ticks
+            elseif ttype == :ticks_and_labels
+                ax[:tickmode] = "array"
+                ax[:tickvals], ax[:ticktext] = ticks
+            end
+        end
+    else
+        ax[:showticklabels] = false
+        ax[:showgrid] = false
     end
 
     ax
-  else
-    ax[:showticklabels] = false
-    ax[:showgrid] = false
-  end
-
-  ax
 end
 
 # function get_plot_json(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
-#   d = plt.plotargs
-function plotly_layout(d::KW, seriesargs::AVec{KW})
+#   d = plt.attr
+# function plotly_layout(d::KW, seriesargs::AVec{KW})
+function plotly_layout(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
     d_out = KW()
 
-    d_out[:width], d_out[:height] = d[:size]
+    # for now, we only support 1 subplot
+    if length(plt.subplots) > 1
+        warn("Subplots not supported yet")
+    end
+    sp = plt.subplots[1]
 
-    bgcolor = webcolor(d[:background_color])
-    fgcolor = webcolor(d[:foreground_color])
+    d_out[:width], d_out[:height] = plt.attr[:size]
 
     # set the fields for the plot
-    d_out[:title] = d[:title]
-    d_out[:titlefont] = plotlyfont(d[:guidefont], fgcolor)
+    d_out[:title] = sp.attr[:title]
+    d_out[:titlefont] = plotlyfont(sp.attr[:titlefont], webcolor(sp.attr[:foreground_color_title]))
+
+    # TODO: use subplot positioning logic
     d_out[:margin] = KW(:l=>35, :b=>30, :r=>8, :t=>20)
-    d_out[:plot_bgcolor] = bgcolor
-    d_out[:paper_bgcolor] = bgcolor
+
+    d_out[:plot_bgcolor] = webcolor(sp.attr[:background_color_inside])
+    d_out[:paper_bgcolor] = webcolor(plt.attr[:background_color_outside])
 
     # TODO: x/y axis tick values/labels
-    if any(is3d, seriesargs)
+
+    # if any(is3d, seriesargs)
+    if is3d(sp)
         d_out[:scene] = KW(
-            :xaxis => plotlyaxis(d, "x"),
-            :yaxis => plotlyaxis(d, "y"),
-            :xzxis => plotlyaxis(d, "z"),
+            :xaxis => plotlyaxis(sp.attr[:xaxis], sp),
+            :yaxis => plotlyaxis(sp.attr[:yaxis], sp),
+            :xzxis => plotlyaxis(sp.attr[:zaxis], sp),
         )
     else
-        d_out[:xaxis] = plotlyaxis(d, "x")
-        d_out[:yaxis] = plotlyaxis(d, "y")
+        d_out[:xaxis] = plotlyaxis(sp.attr[:xaxis], sp)
+        d_out[:yaxis] = plotlyaxis(sp.attr[:yaxis], sp)
     end
 
     # legend
-    d_out[:showlegend] = d[:legend] != :none
-    if d[:legend] != :none
+    d_out[:showlegend] = sp.attr[:legend] != :none
+    if sp.attr[:legend] != :none
         d_out[:legend] = KW(
-            :bgcolor  => bgcolor,
-            :bordercolor => fgcolor,
-            :font     => plotlyfont(d[:legendfont]),
+            :bgcolor  => webcolor(sp.attr[:background_color_legend]),
+            :bordercolor => webcolor(sp.attr[:foreground_color_legend]),
+            :font     => plotlyfont(sp.attr[:legendfont]),
         )
     end
 
+    # if haskey(plt.attr, :annotation_list)
+    #   append!(plt.attr[:annotation_list], anns)
+    # else
+    #   plt.attr[:annotation_list] = anns
+    # end
+
     # annotations
-    anns = get(d, :annotation_list, [])
+    anns = get(sp.attr, :annotations, [])
     d_out[:annotations] = if isempty(anns)
         KW[]
     else
@@ -332,7 +347,7 @@ function plotly_layout(d::KW, seriesargs::AVec{KW})
     # dumpdict(d_out,"",true)
     # @show d_out[:annotations]
 
-    if get(d, :polar, false)
+    if ispolar(sp)
         d_out[:direction] = "counterclockwise"
     end
 
@@ -340,12 +355,12 @@ function plotly_layout(d::KW, seriesargs::AVec{KW})
 end
 
 function get_plot_json(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
-  JSON.json(plotly_layout(plt.plotargs, plt.seriesargs))
+    JSON.json(plotly_layout(plt))
 end
 
 
 function plotly_colorscale(grad::ColorGradient, alpha = nothing)
-  [[grad.values[i], webcolor(grad.colors[i], alpha)] for i in 1:length(grad.colors)]
+    [[grad.values[i], webcolor(grad.colors[i], alpha)] for i in 1:length(grad.colors)]
 end
 plotly_colorscale(c, alpha = nothing) = plotly_colorscale(default_gradient(), alpha)
 
@@ -357,196 +372,178 @@ const _plotly_markers = KW(
     :star5      => "star-triangle-up",
     :vline      => "line-ns",
     :hline      => "line-ew",
-  )
+)
 
 # get a dictionary representing the series params (d is the Plots-dict, d_out is the Plotly-dict)
-function plotly_series(d::KW, plotargs::KW; plot_index = nothing)
-    # dumpdict(d,"series",true)
-  d_out = KW()
+function plotly_series(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, series::Series)
+    d = series.d
+    d_out = KW()
 
-  x, y = collect(d[:x]), collect(d[:y])
-  d_out[:name] = d[:label]
+    x, y = collect(d[:x]), collect(d[:y])
+    d_out[:name] = d[:label]
 
-  st = d[:seriestype]
-  isscatter = st in (:scatter, :scatter3d)
-  hasmarker = isscatter || d[:markershape] != :none
-  hasline = !isscatter
+    st = d[:seriestype]
+    isscatter = st in (:scatter, :scatter3d)
+    hasmarker = isscatter || d[:markershape] != :none
+    hasline = !isscatter
 
-  # set the "type"
-  if st in (:line, :path, :scatter, :steppre, :steppost)
-    d_out[:type] = "scatter"
-    d_out[:mode] = if hasmarker
-      hasline ? "lines+markers" : "markers"
-    else
-      hasline ? "lines" : "none"
-    end
-    if d[:fillrange] == true || d[:fillrange] == 0
-      d_out[:fill] = "tozeroy"
-      d_out[:fillcolor] = webcolor(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
-    elseif !(d[:fillrange] in (false, nothing))
-      warn("fillrange ignored... plotly only supports filling to zero. fillrange: $(d[:fillrange])")
-    end
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-
-  elseif st == :bar
-    d_out[:type] = "bar"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-
-  elseif st == :hist2d
-    d_out[:type] = "histogram2d"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    if isa(d[:bins], Tuple)
-      xbins, ybins = d[:bins]
-    else
-      xbins = ybins = d[:bins]
-    end
-    d_out[:nbinsx] = xbins
-    d_out[:nbinsy] = ybins
-
-  elseif st in (:hist, :density)
-    d_out[:type] = "histogram"
-    isvert = isvertical(d)
-    d_out[isvert ? :x : :y] = y
-    d_out[isvert ? :nbinsx : :nbinsy] = d[:bins]
-    if st == :density
-      d_out[:histnorm] = "probability density"
-    end
-
-  elseif st == :heatmap
-    d_out[:type] = "heatmap"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
-    d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
-
-  elseif st == :contour
-    d_out[:type] = "contour"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
-    # d_out[:showscale] = d[:colorbar] != :none
-    d_out[:ncontours] = d[:levels]
-    d_out[:contours] = KW(:coloring => d[:fillrange] != nothing ? "fill" : "lines")
-    d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha])
-
-  elseif st in (:surface, :wireframe)
-    d_out[:type] = "surface"
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
-    d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
-
-  elseif st == :pie
-    d_out[:type] = "pie"
-    d_out[:labels] = x
-    d_out[:values] = y
-    d_out[:hoverinfo] = "label+percent+name"
-
-  elseif st in (:path3d, :scatter3d)
-    d_out[:type] = "scatter3d"
-    d_out[:mode] = if hasmarker
-      hasline ? "lines+markers" : "markers"
-    else
-      hasline ? "lines" : "none"
-    end
-    d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
-    d_out[:z] = collect(d[:z])
-
-  else
-    warn("Plotly: seriestype $st isn't supported.")
-    return KW()
-  end
-
-  # add "marker"
-  if hasmarker
-    d_out[:marker] = KW(
-        :symbol => get(_plotly_markers, d[:markershape], string(d[:markershape])),
-        :opacity => d[:markeralpha],
-        :size => 2 * d[:markersize],
-        :color => webcolor(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha]),
-        :line => KW(
-            :color => webcolor(d[:markerstrokecolor], d[:markerstrokealpha]),
-            :width => d[:markerstrokewidth],
-          ),
-      )
-
-    # gotta hack this (for now?) since plotly can't handle rgba values inside the gradient
-    if d[:marker_z] != nothing
-      # d_out[:marker][:color] = d[:marker_z]
-      # d_out[:marker][:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha])
-      # d_out[:showscale] = true
-      grad = ColorGradient(d[:markercolor], alpha=d[:markeralpha])
-      zmin, zmax = extrema(d[:marker_z])
-      d_out[:marker][:color] = [webcolor(getColorZ(grad, (zi - zmin) / (zmax - zmin))) for zi in d[:marker_z]]
-    end
-
-  end
-
-  # add "line"
-  if hasline
-    d_out[:line] = KW(
-        :color => webcolor(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha]),
-        :width => d[:linewidth],
-        :shape => if st == :steppre
-          "vh"
-        elseif st == :steppost
-          "hv"
+    # set the "type"
+    if st in (:line, :path, :scatter, :steppre, :steppost)
+        d_out[:type] = "scatter"
+        d_out[:mode] = if hasmarker
+            hasline ? "lines+markers" : "markers"
         else
-          "linear"
-        end,
-        :dash => string(d[:linestyle]),
-        # :dash => "solid",
-      )
-  end
+            hasline ? "lines" : "none"
+        end
+        if d[:fillrange] == true || d[:fillrange] == 0
+            d_out[:fill] = "tozeroy"
+            d_out[:fillcolor] = webcolor(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
+        elseif !(d[:fillrange] in (false, nothing))
+            warn("fillrange ignored... plotly only supports filling to zero. fillrange: $(d[:fillrange])")
+        end
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
 
-  # convert polar plots x/y to theta/radius
-  if get(plotargs, :polar, false)
-      d_out[:t] = rad2deg(pop!(d_out, :x))
-      d_out[:r] = pop!(d_out, :y)
-  end
+    elseif st == :bar
+        d_out[:type] = "bar"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
 
-  # # for subplots, we need to add the xaxis/yaxis fields
-  # if plot_index != nothing
-  #   d_out[:xaxis] = "x$(plot_index)"
-  #   d_out[:yaxis] = "y$(plot_index)"
-  # end
+    elseif st == :hist2d
+        d_out[:type] = "histogram2d"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
+        if isa(d[:bins], Tuple)
+            xbins, ybins = d[:bins]
+        else
+            xbins = ybins = d[:bins]
+        end
+        d_out[:nbinsx] = xbins
+        d_out[:nbinsy] = ybins
 
-  d_out
+    elseif st in (:hist, :density)
+        d_out[:type] = "histogram"
+        isvert = isvertical(d)
+        d_out[isvert ? :x : :y] = y
+        d_out[isvert ? :nbinsx : :nbinsy] = d[:bins]
+        if st == :density
+            d_out[:histnorm] = "probability density"
+        end
+
+    elseif st == :heatmap
+        d_out[:type] = "heatmap"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
+        d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
+        d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
+
+    elseif st == :contour
+        d_out[:type] = "contour"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
+        d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
+        # d_out[:showscale] = d[:colorbar] != :none
+        d_out[:ncontours] = d[:levels]
+        d_out[:contours] = KW(:coloring => d[:fillrange] != nothing ? "fill" : "lines")
+        d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha])
+
+    elseif st in (:surface, :wireframe)
+        d_out[:type] = "surface"
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
+        d_out[:z] = d[:z].surf
+        d_out[:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:fillcolor], d[:fillalpha])
+
+    elseif st == :pie
+        d_out[:type] = "pie"
+        d_out[:labels] = x
+        d_out[:values] = y
+        d_out[:hoverinfo] = "label+percent+name"
+
+    elseif st in (:path3d, :scatter3d)
+        d_out[:type] = "scatter3d"
+        d_out[:mode] = if hasmarker
+            hasline ? "lines+markers" : "markers"
+        else
+            hasline ? "lines" : "none"
+        end
+        d_out[:x], d_out[:y] = x, y
+        d_out[:z] = collect(d[:z])
+
+    else
+        warn("Plotly: seriestype $st isn't supported.")
+        return KW()
+    end
+
+    # add "marker"
+    if hasmarker
+        d_out[:marker] = KW(
+            :symbol => get(_plotly_markers, d[:markershape], string(d[:markershape])),
+            :opacity => d[:markeralpha],
+            :size => 2 * d[:markersize],
+            :color => webcolor(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha]),
+            :line => KW(
+                :color => webcolor(d[:markerstrokecolor], d[:markerstrokealpha]),
+                :width => d[:markerstrokewidth],
+            ),
+        )
+
+        # gotta hack this (for now?) since plotly can't handle rgba values inside the gradient
+        if d[:marker_z] != nothing
+            # d_out[:marker][:color] = d[:marker_z]
+            # d_out[:marker][:colorscale] = plotly_colorscale(d[:markercolor], d[:markeralpha])
+            # d_out[:showscale] = true
+            grad = ColorGradient(d[:markercolor], alpha=d[:markeralpha])
+            zmin, zmax = extrema(d[:marker_z])
+            d_out[:marker][:color] = [webcolor(getColorZ(grad, (zi - zmin) / (zmax - zmin))) for zi in d[:marker_z]]
+        end
+    end
+
+    # add "line"
+    if hasline
+        d_out[:line] = KW(
+            :color => webcolor(d[:linecolor], d[:linealpha]),
+            :width => d[:linewidth],
+            :shape => if st == :steppre
+                "vh"
+            elseif st == :steppost
+                "hv"
+            else
+                "linear"
+            end,
+            :dash => string(d[:linestyle]),
+            # :dash => "solid",
+        )
+    end
+
+    # convert polar plots x/y to theta/radius
+    if ispolar(d[:subplot])
+        d_out[:t] = rad2deg(pop!(d_out, :x))
+        d_out[:r] = pop!(d_out, :y)
+    end
+
+    d_out
 end
 
 # get a list of dictionaries, each representing the series params
 function get_series_json(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend})
-  JSON.json(map(d -> plotly_series(d, plt.plotargs), plt.seriesargs))
+    JSON.json(map(series -> plotly_series(plt, series), plt.series_list))
 end
 
-# function get_series_json(subplt::Subplot{PlotlyBackend})
-#   ds = KW[]
-#   for (i,plt) in enumerate(subplt.plts)
-#     for d in plt.seriesargs
-#       push!(ds, plotly_series(d, plt.plotargs, plot_index = i))
-#     end
-#   end
-#   JSON.json(ds)
-# end
-
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 function html_head(plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend})
-  "<script src=\"$(Pkg.dir("Plots","deps","plotly-latest.min.js"))\"></script>"
+    "<script src=\"$(Pkg.dir("Plots","deps","plotly-latest.min.js"))\"></script>"
 end
 
 function html_body(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, style = nothing)
-  if style == nothing
-    w, h = plt.plotargs[:size]
-    style = "width:$(w)px;height:$(h)px;"
-  end
-  uuid = Base.Random.uuid4()
-  html = """
-    <div id=\"$(uuid)\" style=\"$(style)\"></div>
-    <script>
-      PLOT = document.getElementById('$(uuid)');
-      Plotly.plot(PLOT, $(get_series_json(plt)), $(get_plot_json(plt)));
-    </script>
-  """
-  # @show html
-  html
+    if style == nothing
+        w, h = plt.attr[:size]
+        style = "width:$(w)px;height:$(h)px;"
+    end
+    uuid = Base.Random.uuid4()
+    html = """
+        <div id=\"$(uuid)\" style=\"$(style)\"></div>
+        <script>
+        PLOT = document.getElementById('$(uuid)');
+        Plotly.plot(PLOT, $(get_series_json(plt)), $(get_plot_json(plt)));
+        </script>
+    """
+    html
 end
 
 function js_body(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, uuid)
@@ -557,31 +554,6 @@ function js_body(plt::Plot{PlotlyBackend}, uuid)
 end
 
 
-# function html_body(subplt::Subplot{PlotlyBackend})
-#   w, h = subplt.plts[1].plotargs[:size]
-#   html = ["<div style=\"width:$(w)px;height:$(h)px;\">"]
-#   nr = nrows(subplt.layout)
-#   ph = h / nr
-#
-#   for r in 1:nr
-#     push!(html, "<div style=\"clear:both;\">")
-#
-#     nc = ncols(subplt.layout, r)
-#     pw = w / nc
-#
-#     for c in 1:nc
-#       plt = subplt[r,c]
-#       push!(html, html_body(plt, "float:left; width:$(pw)px; height:$(ph)px;"))
-#     end
-#
-#     push!(html, "</div>")
-#   end
-#   push!(html, "</div>")
-#
-#   join(html)
-# end
-
-
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"image/png", plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend})
@@ -590,13 +562,8 @@ end
 
 function Base.writemime(io::IO, ::MIME"text/html", plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend})
     write(io, html_head(plt) * html_body(plt))
-    # write(io, html_body(plt))
 end
 
 function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::AbstractPlot{PlotlyBackend})
   standalone_html_window(plt)
 end
-
-# function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Subplot{PlotlyBackend})
-#   # TODO: display/show the subplot
-# end
diff --git a/src/backends/plotlyjs.jl b/src/backends/plotlyjs.jl
index 2e6b2d65..1c7c65e3 100644
--- a/src/backends/plotlyjs.jl
+++ b/src/backends/plotlyjs.jl
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ supportedArgs(::PlotlyJSBackend) = [
     :show,
     :size,
     :title,
-    :windowtitle,
+    :window_title,
     :x,
     :xguide,
     :xlims,
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ function _series_added(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, series::Series)
     syncplot = plt.o
 
     # add to the data array
-    pdict = plotly_series(d, plt.plotargs)
+    pdict = plotly_series(d, plt.attr)
     typ = pop!(pdict, :type)
     gt = PlotlyJS.GenericTrace(typ; pdict...)
     PlotlyJS.addtraces!(syncplot, gt)
@@ -133,10 +133,10 @@ end
 
 function _add_annotations{X,Y,V}(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, anns::AVec{@compat(Tuple{X,Y,V})})
     # set or add to the annotation_list
-    if !haskey(plt.plotargs, :annotation_list)
-        plt.plotargs[:annotation_list] = Any[]
+    if !haskey(plt.attr, :annotation_list)
+        plt.attr[:annotation_list] = Any[]
     end
-    append!(plt.plotargs[:annotation_list], anns)
+    append!(plt.attr[:annotation_list], anns)
 end
 
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ end
 
 # TODO: override this to update plot items (title, xlabel, etc) after creation
 function _update_plot(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, d::KW)
-    pdict = plotly_layout(plt.plotargs, plt.seriesargs)
+    pdict = plotly_layout(plt.attr, plt.seriesargs)
     syncplot = plt.o
     w,h = d[:size]
     PlotlyJS.relayout!(syncplot, pdict, width = w, height = h)
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ end
 
 function setxy!{X,Y}(plt::Plot{PlotlyJSBackend}, xy::Tuple{X,Y}, i::Integer)
   d = plt.seriesargs[i]
-  ispolar = get(plt.plotargs, :polar, false)
+  ispolar = get(plt.attr, :polar, false)
   xsym = ispolar ? :t : :x
   ysym = ispolar ? :r : :y
   d[xsym], d[ysym] = xy
diff --git a/src/backends/pyplot.jl b/src/backends/pyplot.jl
index 0f0f4a11..65f6a1b8 100644
--- a/src/backends/pyplot.jl
+++ b/src/backends/pyplot.jl
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ supportedArgs(::PyPlotBackend) = [
     :bins, :bar_width, :bar_edges,
     :n, :nc, :nr, :layout,
     :smooth,
-    :title, :windowtitle, :show, :size,
+    :title, :window_title, :show, :size,
     :x, :xguide, :xlims, :xticks, :xscale, :xflip, :xrotation,
     :y, :yguide, :ylims, :yticks, :yscale, :yflip, :yrotation,
     # :axis, :yrightlabel,
@@ -354,11 +354,11 @@ end
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-function pyplot_figure(plotargs::KW)
-    w,h = map(px2inch, plotargs[:size])
+function pyplot_figure(attr::KW)
+    w,h = map(px2inch, attr[:size])
 
     # reuse the current figure?
-    fig = if plotargs[:overwrite_figure]
+    fig = if attr[:overwrite_figure]
         PyPlot.gcf()
     else
         PyPlot.figure()
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ function pyplot_figure(plotargs::KW)
 
     # update the specs
     fig[:set_size_inches](w, h, forward = true)
-    fig[:set_facecolor](getPyPlotColor(plotargs[:background_color_outside]))
+    fig[:set_facecolor](getPyPlotColor(attr[:background_color_outside]))
     fig[:set_dpi](DPI)
     # fig[:set_tight_layout](true)
 
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ function pyplot_figure(plotargs::KW)
     PyPlot.clf()
 
     # resize the window
-    PyPlot.plt[:get_current_fig_manager]()[:resize](plotargs[:size]...)
+    PyPlot.plt[:get_current_fig_manager]()[:resize](attr[:size]...)
     fig
 end
 
@@ -382,7 +382,7 @@ end
 
 # Create the window/figure for this backend.
 function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{PyPlotBackend})
-    pyplot_figure(plt.plotargs)
+    pyplot_figure(plt.attr)
 end
 
 # Set up the subplot within the backend object.
@@ -1212,7 +1212,7 @@ for (mime, fmt) in _pyplot_mimeformats
             io,
             format=$fmt,
             # bbox_inches = "tight",
-            # figsize = map(px2inch, plt.plotargs[:size]),
+            # figsize = map(px2inch, plt.attr[:size]),
             facecolor = fig.o["get_facecolor"](),
             edgecolor = "none",
             dpi = DPI
diff --git a/src/backends/qwt.jl b/src/backends/qwt.jl
index efdc0af9..e7651341 100644
--- a/src/backends/qwt.jl
+++ b/src/backends/qwt.jl
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ supportedArgs(::QwtBackend) = [
     :show,
     :size,
     :title,
-    :windowtitle,
+    :window_title,
     :x,
     :xguide,
     :xlims,
@@ -130,9 +130,9 @@ end
 
 # function _create_plot(pkg::QwtBackend, d::KW)
 function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{QwtBackend})
-  fixcolors(plt.plotargs)
-  dumpdict(plt.plotargs,"\n\n!!! plot")
-  o = Qwt.plot(zeros(0,0); plt.plotargs..., show=false)
+  fixcolors(plt.attr)
+  dumpdict(plt.attr,"\n\n!!! plot")
+  o = Qwt.plot(zeros(0,0); plt.attr..., show=false)
   # plt = Plot(o, pkg, 0, d, KW[])
   # plt
 end
@@ -287,7 +287,7 @@ end
 #   #   i += rowcnt
 #   # end
 #   subplt.o = Qwt.vsplitter(rows...)
-#   # Qwt.resizewidget(subplt.o, getplotargs(subplt,1)[:size]...)
+#   # Qwt.resizewidget(subplt.o, getattr(subplt,1)[:size]...)
 #   # Qwt.moveToLastScreen(subplt.o)  # hack so it goes to my center monitor... sorry
 #   true
 # end
diff --git a/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl b/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
index 6800e841..fb8ae0a6 100644
--- a/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
+++ b/src/backends/unicodeplots.jl
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ supportedArgs(::UnicodePlotsBackend) = [
     :show,
     :size,
     :title,
-    :windowtitle,
+    :window_title,
     :x,
     :xguide,
     :xlims,
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ function rebuildUnicodePlot!(plt::Plot)
 
   # figure out the plotting area xlim = [xmin, xmax] and ylim = [ymin, ymax]
   sargs = plt.seriesargs
-  iargs = plt.plotargs
+  iargs = plt.attr
 
   # get the x/y limits
   if get(iargs, :xlims, :auto) == :auto
@@ -186,10 +186,10 @@ end
 
 function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{UnicodePlotsBackend})
   # do we want to give a new default size?
-  if !haskey(plt.plotargs, :size) || plt.plotargs[:size] == default(:size)
-    plt.plotargs[:size] = (60,20)
+  if !haskey(plt.attr, :size) || plt.attr[:size] == default(:size)
+    plt.attr[:size] = (60,20)
   end
-  plt.plotargs[:color_palette] = [RGB(0,0,0)]
+  plt.attr[:color_palette] = [RGB(0,0,0)]
   nothing
 
   # plt
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@ end
 function _update_plot(plt::Plot{UnicodePlotsBackend}, d::KW)
   for k in (:title, :xguide, :yguide, :xlims, :ylims)
     if haskey(d, k)
-      plt.plotargs[k] = d[k]
+      plt.attr[k] = d[k]
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/src/backends/web.jl b/src/backends/web.jl
index 26f0f752..2920ba68 100644
--- a/src/backends/web.jl
+++ b/src/backends/web.jl
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 # CREDIT: parts of this implementation were inspired by @joshday's PlotlyLocal.jl
 
 
-function standalone_html(plt::AbstractPlot; title::AbstractString = get(plt.plotargs, :window_title, "Plots.jl"))
+function standalone_html(plt::AbstractPlot; title::AbstractString = get(plt.attr, :window_title, "Plots.jl"))
     """
     <!DOCTYPE html>
     <html>
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ function open_browser_window(filename::AbstractString)
 end
 
 function write_temp_html(plt::AbstractPlot)
-    html = standalone_html(plt; title = plt.plotargs[:title])
+    html = standalone_html(plt; title = plt.attr[:window_title])
     filename = string(tempname(), ".html")
     output = open(filename, "w")
     write(output, html)
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ function writemime_png_from_html(io::IO, plt::AbstractPlot)
 
     # convert that html file to a temporary png file using wkhtmltoimage
     png_fn = tempname() * ".png"
-    w, h = plt.plotargs[:size]
+    w, h = plt.attr[:size]
     html_to_png(html_fn, png_fn, w, h)
 
     # now read that file data into io
diff --git a/src/backends/winston.jl b/src/backends/winston.jl
index c0a43fc8..93f8cf2c 100644
--- a/src/backends/winston.jl
+++ b/src/backends/winston.jl
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ supportedArgs(::WinstonBackend) = [
     :show,
     :size,
     :title,
-    :windowtitle,
+    :window_title,
     :x,
     :xguide,
     :xlims,
@@ -104,9 +104,9 @@ end
 
 function _create_backend_figure(plt::Plot{WinstonBackend})
     Winston.FramedPlot(
-        title = plt.plotargs[:title],
-        xlabel = plt.plotargs[:xguide],
-        ylabel = plt.plotargs[:yguide]
+        title = plt.attr[:title],
+        xlabel = plt.attr[:xguide],
+        ylabel = plt.attr[:yguide]
     )
 end
 
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ end
 # ----------------------------------------------------------------
 
 function addWinstonLegend(plt::Plot, wplt)
-  if plt.plotargs[:legend] != :none
+  if plt.attr[:legend] != :none
     Winston.legend(wplt, [sd[:label] for sd in plt.seriesargs])
   end
 end
@@ -289,9 +289,9 @@ function Base.display(::PlotsDisplay, plt::Plot{WinstonBackend})
       error("Gtk is the only supported display for Winston in Plots.  Set `output_surface = gtk` in src/Winston.ini")
     end
     # initialize window
-    w,h = plt.plotargs[:size]
+    w,h = plt.attr[:size]
     canvas = Gtk.GtkCanvasLeaf()
-    window = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(canvas, plt.plotargs[:windowtitle], w, h)
+    window = Gtk.GtkWindowLeaf(canvas, plt.attr[:window_title], w, h)
     plt.o = (window, canvas, wplt)
   end
 
diff --git a/src/colors.jl b/src/colors.jl
index f13ff41d..a62f1bf1 100644
--- a/src/colors.jl
+++ b/src/colors.jl
@@ -348,10 +348,10 @@ end
 make255(x) = round(Int, 255 * x)
 
 function webcolor(c::Color)
-  @sprintf("rgb(%d, %d, %d)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]...)
+    @sprintf("rgb(%d, %d, %d)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]...)
 end
 function webcolor(c::TransparentColor)
-  @sprintf("rgba(%d, %d, %d, %1.3f)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]..., alpha(c))
+    @sprintf("rgba(%d, %d, %d, %1.3f)", [make255(f(c)) for f in [red,green,blue]]..., alpha(c))
 end
 webcolor(cs::ColorScheme) = webcolor(getColor(cs))
 webcolor(c) = webcolor(convertColor(c))
@@ -412,10 +412,10 @@ webcolor(c, α) = webcolor(convertColor(getColor(c), α))
 # end
 
 # converts a symbol or string into a colorant (Colors.RGB), and assigns a color automatically
-function getSeriesRGBColor(c, plotargs::KW, n::Int)
+function getSeriesRGBColor(c, attr::KW, n::Int)
 
   if c == :auto
-    c = autopick(plotargs[:color_palette], n)
+    c = autopick(attr[:color_palette], n)
   end
 
   # c should now be a subtype of ColorScheme
diff --git a/src/plot.jl b/src/plot.jl
index 765382a0..70187997 100644
--- a/src/plot.jl
+++ b/src/plot.jl
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Base.print(io::IO, plt::Plot) = print(io, string(plt))
 Base.show(io::IO, plt::Plot) = print(io, string(plt))
 
 getplot(plt::Plot) = plt
-getplotargs(plt::Plot, idx::Int = 1) = plt.plotargs
+getattr(plt::Plot, idx::Int = 1) = plt.attr
 convertSeriesIndex(plt::Plot, n::Int) = n
 
 # ---------------------------------------------------------
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ function plot(args...; kw...)
     plt.o = _create_backend_figure(plt)
 
     # create the layout and subplots from the inputs
-    plt.layout, plt.subplots, plt.spmap = build_layout(plt.plotargs)
+    plt.layout, plt.subplots, plt.spmap = build_layout(plt.attr)
     for (idx,sp) in enumerate(plt.subplots)
         sp.plt = plt
         _update_subplot_args(plt, sp, copy(d), idx)
@@ -146,7 +146,12 @@ function _apply_series_recipe(plt::Plot, d::KW)
 
         # assuming there was no error, recursively apply the series recipes
         for series in series_list
-            _apply_series_recipe(plt, series.d)
+            if isa(series, Series)
+                _apply_series_recipe(plt, series.d)
+            else
+                warn("Unhandled series: $(series_list)")
+                break
+            end
         end
     end
 end
@@ -284,7 +289,7 @@ function _plot!(plt::Plot, d::KW, args...)
     end
 
     # TODO just need to pass plt... and we should do all non-series updates here
-    _update_plot(plt, plt.plotargs)
+    _update_plot(plt, plt.attr)
 
     current(plt)
 
@@ -317,7 +322,7 @@ end
 # function setTicksFromStringVector(plt::Plot, d::KW, di::KW, letter)
 #     sym = symbol(letter)
 #     ticksym = symbol(letter * "ticks")
-#     pargs = plt.plotargs
+#     pargs = plt.attr
 #     v = di[sym]
 #
 #     # do we really want to do this?
@@ -345,7 +350,7 @@ end
 #     end
 #
 #     d[ticksym] = ticks, labels
-#     plt.plotargs[ticksym] = ticks, labels
+#     plt.attr[ticksym] = ticks, labels
 #
 #     # add an origsym field so that later on we can re-compute the x vector if ticks change
 #     origsym = symbol(letter * "orig")
@@ -373,7 +378,7 @@ annotations(anns) = Any[anns]
 
 # function Base.copy(plt::Plot)
 #     backend(plt.backend)
-#     plt2 = plot(; plt.plotargs...)
+#     plt2 = plot(; plt.attr...)
 #     for sargs in plt.seriesargs
 #         sargs = filter((k,v) -> haskey(_series_defaults,k), sargs)
 #         plot!(plt2; sargs...)
diff --git a/src/recipes.jl b/src/recipes.jl
index a5f55f9a..236de2c8 100644
--- a/src/recipes.jl
+++ b/src/recipes.jl
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ type OHLC{T<:Real}
   close::T
 end
 Base.convert(::Type{OHLC}, tup::Tuple) = OHLC(tup...)
-tuple(ohlc::OHLC) = (ohlc.open, ohlc.high, ohlc.low, ohlc.close)
+# Base.tuple(ohlc::OHLC) = (ohlc.open, ohlc.high, ohlc.low, ohlc.close)
 
 # get one OHLC path
 function get_xy(o::OHLC, x, xdiff)
diff --git a/src/series_args.jl b/src/series_args.jl
index b70392db..94b8377d 100644
--- a/src/series_args.jl
+++ b/src/series_args.jl
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ compute_xyz(x::Void, y::Void, z::Void)        = error("x/y/z are all nothing!")
 #         n = plt.n + i
 #
 #         dumpdict(d, "before getSeriesArgs")
-#         d = getSeriesArgs(plt.backend, getplotargs(plt, n), d, commandIndex, convertSeriesIndex(plt, n), n)
+#         d = getSeriesArgs(plt.backend, getattr(plt, n), d, commandIndex, convertSeriesIndex(plt, n), n)
 #         dumpdict(d, "after getSeriesArgs")
 #
 #         d[:x], d[:y], d[:z] = compute_xyz(xs[mod1(i,mx)], ys[mod1(i,my)], zs[mod1(i,mz)])
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ compute_xyz(x::Void, y::Void, z::Void)        = error("x/y/z are all nothing!")
 #
 # # special handling... xmin/xmax with function(s)
 # function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs, xmin::Number, xmax::Number)
-#     width = get(plt.plotargs, :size, (100,))[1]
+#     width = get(plt.attr, :size, (100,))[1]
 #     x = linspace(xmin, xmax, width)
 #     process_inputs(plt, d, x, f)
 # end
diff --git a/src/series_new.jl b/src/series_new.jl
index 6275d156..bb590e23 100644
--- a/src/series_new.jl
+++ b/src/series_new.jl
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 function _add_defaults!(d::KW, plt::Plot, sp::Subplot, commandIndex::Int)
     pkg = plt.backend
     # n = plt.n
-    # plotargs = getplotargs(plt, n)
+    # attr = getattr(plt, n)
     # plotIndex = convertSeriesIndex(plt, n)
     globalIndex = plt.n
 
@@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ end
 #
 # # special handling... xmin/xmax with function(s)
 # function process_inputs(plt::AbstractPlot, d::KW, f::FuncOrFuncs, xmin::Number, xmax::Number)
-#     width = get(plt.plotargs, :size, (100,))[1]
+#     width = get(plt.attr, :size, (100,))[1]
 #     x = linspace(xmin, xmax, width)
 #     process_inputs(plt, d, x, f)
 # end
diff --git a/src/types.jl b/src/types.jl
index 3012704f..8304dbfc 100644
--- a/src/types.jl
+++ b/src/types.jl
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ attr!(series::Series, v, k::Symbol) = (series.d[k] = v)
 type Plot{T<:AbstractBackend} <: AbstractPlot{T}
     backend::T               # the backend type
     n::Int                   # number of series
-    plotargs::KW             # arguments for the whole plot
+    attr::KW             # arguments for the whole plot
     series_list::Vector{Series}   # arguments for each series
     o  # the backend's plot object
     subplots::Vector{Subplot}
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ end
 # Base.getindex(plt::Plot, i::Integer) = plt.subplots[i]
 Base.getindex(plt::Plot, s::Symbol) = plt.spmap[s]
 Base.getindex(plt::Plot, r::Integer, c::Integer) = plt.layout[r,c]
-attr(plt::Plot, k::Symbol) = plt.plotargs[k]
-attr!(plt::Plot, v, k::Symbol) = (plt.plotargs[k] = v)
+attr(plt::Plot, k::Symbol) = plt.attr[k]
+attr!(plt::Plot, v, k::Symbol) = (plt.attr[k] = v)
 
 
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------