Interior Design Glossary

Abacus

The topmost member of the capital of a column.

Abrasion Wear

Distress or wear marks on fabrics, wood or metal. Created when a furniture or accessory surface experiences friction in use or handling.

Abstract

Style of design that uses general forms verses detailed realistic representations.

Acanthus Leaf

A leaf decoration often used on furniture, particularly on brackets and legs.

Accent Colors

Contrast colors used to enhance room color schemes.

Accent Lighting

Controlled and specifically focused lighting for accenting interior decor elements or architectural details.

Accessible Design

Interior and exterior design that meets prescribed requirements for people with disabilities. Guidelines and laws related to accessible design include such issues as standard dimensions and features such as door widths, clear space for wheelchair mobility, countertop heights, audible and visual signals, switch and outlet height, and more.

Accessories

Objects such as books, plants, vases, lamps, and decorative pieces.

Acetate

A synthetic fiber made from cellulose, which is a common material in the cell walls of many plants. It is usually combined with other fibers to add a luxurious feel and appearance.

Acorn (or Acorn Turning)

Turned ornament resembling an acorn; common in Jacobean furniture as finials on chair posts and bedposts, as pendants and as the profile of leg turnings in Jacobean tables.

Acrilan

A synthetic fiber used in producing Wear-Dated® fabrics.

Acroterium

Originally an ornament on the roof corners of Greek temples. In classical furniture, similar ornaments applied to the top corners of secretaries, bookcases, highboys and other furniture.

Acrylic

A synthetic fiber that's derived from a plant or chemical resin. Acrylic's best properties are its moderate strength and acceptance of brilliant color dyes. Acrylic also has a plush loft that will not flatten.

Adam Style

British neoclassical style that predominated during the latter half of the 1700's. This style developed out of reaction to the more fanciful rococo style of the 1750's, and is characterized by slender, graceful lines, refined shapes and restrained ornamentation.

Adaptation

Furniture that captures the feel of an original design or period, but differs in some details.

Adelphi

Greek term meaning brother, which was the trade name of the three brothers Adam. These brothers are famous for the Adam style of the 18th Century.

Afghan

A coverlet or shawl of wool, knitted or crocheted in colorful geometric designs.

Ageing

Decorative technique used to create the effect of wear-and-tear on wooden, painted, plastic or other surfaces.

Air Bed

A vinyl or rubber mattress core that's filled with air for support. Can be upholstered and covered with cushioning and ticking and be used in combination with a foundation.

Alcove

Recessed part of a room. Bed alcoves exist in Pompeian rooms, and such placing of the sleeping quarters was common in northern Europe through the Middle Ages and later. In the 18th Century special beds were designed to fit such recesses. Alcoves are also used for bookcases and cabinets, dining groups, etc.

Almery

A cupboard for doles of pensioners, family retainers.

Ambry

In medieval churches a recess for the storage of goods. The addition of doors gave it the cupboard form. The English equivalent became a large cupboard with doors; the interiors were fitted with shelves for storage.

Ambulantes

A small portable table.

American Colonial

Term loosely applied to all American furniture used by the colonies prior to the American Revolution. This style includes rough handmade pieces of the early American frontier, New England versions of Jacobean and Puritan (Cromwellian), furniture imported by settlers from Europe and Americanized versions of formal English and European designs. There is no clear division of this period but most agree to group it into Early Colonial and Late Colonial (American Provincial).

American Country

Simple designs originating from the earliest settlers in America during the Early Colonial period (see above). These pieces are very simple and often rough in design. This charming style is still very popular today.

American Frontier (American Primitive)

This style of late 1700's to 1800's was created to meet the demands of the western frontier. Noted pieces include wagon seat twin chairs, sinks without plumbing, cupboards and cobbler's benches. Woods primarily used included ash, hickory, maple, black walnut and pine. Pieces of this period were usually painted black or in primary colors.

American Oriental

A machine-made domestic rug with Oriental design and colors to resemble a hand-tied Oriental rug.

Americana

Objects and decor items that is characteristic of American history or culture.

Amorini

Cupid ornaments found on Italian Renaissance furniture.

Angel Bed

A bed with a canopy but no front support.

Angora

Soft long hair of the Angora goat, often called mohair. The animal is native to Anatolia in the Angora province of Turkey.

Aniline Dye

Term applies to dyes derived from coal tar, which are used to color fabrics and leather.

Aniline-Plus

Term sometimes applied to leather finished with an opaque pigmented dye.

Anthemion

A honeysuckle design from classical Greek decorative motifs. Term refers to any conventional flower or leaf design.

Antique

Could be anything ranging from a piece of furniture to art. The U.S. government considers any item over 100 years old to be an antique, whereas most collectors use 50 years as a benchmark.

Antique Finish (or Antiquing)

A paint or stain finish applied to an object to give an aged look.

Antique Satin

A drapery fabric that has a lustrous effect, normally made of rayon/acetate blends.

Antron

A registered Trademark of DuPont for Type 66 nylon fibers, which are used in many applications including fabrics.

Apothecary Chest

A low chest with small drawers that was originally used to store herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes.

Apron

The wooden panel connecting the surface and legs of a table or chair.

Arabesque

Decorative scroll work or other intricate ornamentation consisting of foliage, vases, leaves and fruits, or fantastic human and animal figures.

Arcade

A series of arches, with supporting columns or piers.

Area Rug

A small rug or carpet which covers only part of the floor.

Arm Caps

Coverings, usually crafted from fabric, to protect the top surface of sofa and chair arms.

Arm Chair

Seating that has both a backrest and armrests.

Armoire

A tall wardrobe with doors and shelves for clothing, more recently armoires have been adapted for use as an entertainment center or computer workstation.

Arrow Foot

A cylindrical foot that's tapered and separated from the leg by a turned ring.

Art Deco

A streamlined, geometric style of home furnishings and architecture popular in the 1920's and 1930's. Characteristics include rounded fronts, wood furniture with chrome hardware and, or, glass tops.

Art Glass

Decorative glass - includes stained, beveled, fused, blown, etched, leaded and cut.

Art Moderne

The Paris Expedition of 1925 introduced a fantastically modern design called Art Moderne. This styling is familiar because of its angular and straight shape. Geometric patterns are the main decoration.

Art Nouveau

Decorative style developed in France between 1890 and 1910. Tiffany lamps are a great example of this style ornate and flowing lines.

Art Print

A print that is a reproduction of an original piece of artwork.

Artisan Style

A style characterized by fine but not overly ornate workmanship that celebrates the maker's community identity or ethnicity.

Arts & Crafts

Also commonly known as Mission style. This style was popular from the late 1800's through the 1920's. The Arts and Crafts movement was a reaction against the massproduced and ornate Victorian furniture of that time.

Asian Style

A general term referring to styles of the Far East. Such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean designs for example. Furnishings with Asian characteristics are popular as a subset of contemporary style.

Astragal

Small, semi-circular molding applied to the glazing bars on cabinets and bookcases.

Attached Back Pillow

A pillow treatment that can't be removed from the upholstered piece, commonly found on sofas, loveseats and chairs.

Aubusson

A scenic tapestry used for wall hangings and upholstery. Named for Aubusson, France.

Austrian Shade (or Austrian Blind)

A decorative window treatment with a scalloped lower edge. When the blind is drawn up it maintains the scalloped edge, creating folds of ruched fabric.

Bachelor's Chest

A small low chest originating in the 1700's.

Backing

A coating that is applied to the back of fabric to prevent seam slippage and excess wear.

Backsplash

A small strip (usually wood) placed against the wall or on the back of a dry sink or console.

Backsplat

A slat of wood in the middle of a chair back.

Baffle

A device fixed to a light fitting to prevent light from glaring into the eyes.

Bag Table

18th Century serving table with drawers and a cloth bag attached.

Bagging

A painting technique in which a crumpled bag (or other material) is dabbed onto a glazed or emulsioned wall to create textured patterns.

Baguette

A small convex molding with semi-circular contours.

Bail

A metal ring or hoop forming a handle.

Baize

Wool fabric resembling felt (usually green) used on gaming tables.

Bakelite

A trade name for one of the first plastics to come into widespread use. The colors of this plastic are usually limited to browns and blacks. Bakelite was a popular material used in producing early pieces of modern furniture.

Baker's Rack

Commonly an open slatted back storage unit with shelves used for storing goods in the kitchen such as cook books, wine, etc. Most commonly made of wood and metal or a combination of the two.

Balance

The arrangement of objects around an epicenter, or creating an even feel or atmosphere in a room.

Ball & Claw

A carved lions or birds claw clutching a sphere, usually at the end of a cabriole leg or tables base.

Ball Foot

The rounded end of a turned leg having a hooded effect.

Balloon Back Chair

A rounded back Hepplewhite style chair in the shape of a hot-air balloon.

Balloon Shade

A window treatment with gathered fabric and soft billowy folds.

Baluster

A small turned, square or flat column that supports a rail. Also used to form chair backs.

Bamboo Turning

Style of turning and painting wood to resemble bamboo. Popular in the 19th Century.

Banding

An Inlay or Marquetry that produces a color or grain contrast along the perimeter of a surface such as a tabletop.

Bandy Leg

American colonial term for the cabriole, or curved leg.

Banister-Back Chair

Generally made of maple and often ebonized. Features vertical split banisters in the back. Widely used in rural America in the 1700's.

Banquette

A long upholstered seat, settee or bench, that's usually built-in. Term also refers to the ledge at the back of a buffet.

Bar

A counter like piece of furniture or built-in cabinetry typically used for mixing and serving drinks.

Bar Stool

A stool that has a seat height of about 30", opposed to a counter stool that normally has a seat height of 24" to 26".

Barkcloth

A soft and textured fabric that resembles the bark of a tree.

Barley Twist

A furniture leg that's turned so that it resembles a screw thread.

Baroque

A highly ornate decorative style that originated in Italy in the 1600's. The style is characterized by irregular curves, twisted columns, elaborate scrolls and oversize moldings. The Italian equivalent of French "rococo".

Barrel Back

A chair or sofa with the arms and back forming a continuous curve.

Barrel Chair

A semicircular upholstered chair with a loose seat cushion.

Bassinet

A bed for a baby. Originally basket shaped.

Batik

Form of hand-printing fabric that originated in Indonesia; technique involves using wax as a resist to create a negative image.

Batten

A strip of wood that's attached to a wall to provide supports for fixing fabric or paneling.

Batting

Thin layers of natural or synthetic cloth used to line cushions, pillows, quilts or crafts.

Bauhaus

A style of the early 1900's taking its name from the German School of Architecture.

This minimalist style has had a great effect on contemporary architecture and furniture design.

Bead

A small, convex molding of a nearly semi-circular section.

Beadboard

Traditionally, wood paneling that's routed vertically so that parallel lines span the height of the board. Beadboard is often used as a wall material, wainscoting and on cabinet doors.

Beading

A decorative detail that resembles a row of flattened beads.

Beau Brummel

A Georgian dressing table for men. Named after an English fashion arbiter.

Bed Frame (or Bed Base/Frame)

A frame or type of platform that a bed rests on. Usually, a metal or wooden frame with legs used to raise the bed off of the floor, headboards can be attached to most bed frames. Find bed frames and bedroom furnishings.