Glossary of Terms

Helpful industry terms and phrases

Use this convenient glossary to help you better understand common interior design terms and phrases.

A

Art Deco

A decorative and architectural style of the period 1925-1940, characterized by geometric designs, bold colors, and the use of plastic and glass.

Art Nouveau

A style of decoration and architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characterized particularly by the depiction of leaves and flowers in flowing, sinuous lines.

Aubusson

A handmade French rug or carpet with a flat weave.

B

Baroque

The architectural and design style developing from the later phase of the Renaissance. Spaces of complex form with elaborate decorative details are typical.

Bas-relief

Sculptural carvings on a flat surface in low relief.

Bauhaus

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a 20th-century school of design, the aesthetic of which was influenced by and derived from techniques and materials employed especially in industrial fabrication and manufacture. Artists include Klee, Kandinsky, and Feininger.

Bergere

A low upholstered armchair developed and used in France.

Biedermeier

A German 19th century style of furniture, combining Neoclassical and provincial elements.

Bombe

French term for furniture using outward-swelling curves.

C

Chintz

A printed cotton fabric usually with a glazed finish.

Corinthian

The most elaborate of the Greek and Roman orders of architecture using a grouping of carved (acanthus) leaves around the capital of each column.

D

Damask

Traditionally a silk, cotton or linen fabric with a textured pattern woven into it. Less expensive substitutes are now available made of synthetic fibers.

Doric

The simplest of the Greek and Roman orders of architecture.

E

Eclectic

Utilizing elements from multiple sources and styles.

Elizabethan

English design period corresponding to the reign of Queen Elizabeth I(1558-1603)

Empire

A period of French Neoclassical design corresponding to the reign of Napoleon (1804-1814)

F

Faux

A simulation of something else. An example of this would be faux marble, which is a marble-like surface painted onto walls or other surfaces (trompe l'oeil).

Fresco

A painting done on wet or damp plaster using tempera colors.

G

Georgian

The style of the English and American periods corresponding to the reigns of the English kings George I to George IV (1714-1830).

Gesso

A painted or gilded bas-relief plaster decoration.

Gilding

A coating with a thin layer of gold or gold-like substance.

Gothic

The architectural style of the later Middle Ages characterized by the use of pointed arches.

H

Hassock

Upholstered footstool large enough to be used as seating, often referred to as an ottoman.

High Resiliency Foam

A pure foam with a cell structure different from conventional foam which results in more durable and more supportive material. This foam will retain its shape longer.

I

Inlay

Decorative surface ornament made by inserting forms of contrasting color or material in spaces cut out from a background material with a flush surface finish.

Inset Tile

A tile with a different design than the surrounding body of tiles.

Ionic

The second of the three orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture. Column capitals are charcterized by the use of a pair of volutes of spiral forms.

J

Jacobean

This furniture period spans almost the entire first half of the 17th Century from James I to Charles I reign. Many furniture specialists claim that all furniture of the 17th Century is influenced and encompassed by this design. Pieces are large, square or rectangular. Carving is intricate and done in a tasteful low relief style. Seats of chairs are flat and stretchers sit low on the frame. Stretchers are usually rectangular and show up on most tables and chairs. Oak is the dominant wood.

Jewelling

Ornamental carving in the shape of jewels. Very popular during the Renaissance period.

K

Kick Pleat

An inverted pleat that's usually found at the corner of a flat or box-pleated skirt on a piece of upholstered furniture.

L

Lacquer

An Asian varnish used as a wood finish, with many coats forming a high gloss surface. The term is used for modern finishes of similar character made from synthetics.

Lambrequin

A short piece of hanging drapery, often imitated in metal or wood for decorative purposes

Lectus

A style of daybed or reclining sofa featuring Roman influences.

M

Manchette

A small upholstered patch or cushion used on an armrest.

Marquetry

Elaborate surface decoration using inlay in wood veneering.

Monopedia

Decorative carving of furniture leg using grotesque head and body tapered to a single foot.

Mosaic

Small squares of colored stone or tile fitted together to form patterns or images.

N

Nap

A fabric with a texture or design that runs on one direction such as corduroy and velvet.

Neoclassical

A style of architecture and design derived from ancient Greek and Roman architecture.

O

Opaque

Applies to any material that does not allow light to pass through

Ormolu

Gilded bronze used as decorative detail on furniture of the Neoclassical period.

Ovolo

A continuous ornament in the form of an egg which generally decorates the molding called the "quarter-round". Eggs are often separated from each other by pointed darts.

P

Parquet

Wood flooring that's usually laid in blocks with boards at angles to each other to form decorative patterns.

Percale

A finely woven cotton fabric that's usually used for bedding.

Peristyle

A sequence of columns surrounding a building or interior court.

Q

Quatrefoil

An ornamental figure, which is divided into four foils, leaves or lobes.

Queen Anne

The major furniture style/period of the 1700's, which is noted for being rich and innovative in design. This design is elegant and characterized by graceful curved lines such as cabriole legs and broken scroll pediments.

Quirk

A narrow groove channel molding sometimes called a sunken fillet.

R

Récamier

An elegant sofa or chaise popularized in the Victorian and Empire eras of furniture design. Often called fainting couches.

Rococo

A style of architecture and decoration of the 18th century following the Baroque period, which made use of simpler forms and more delicate decoration then the Baroque Style.