Furniture Terms Flashcards
Decorative objects
Accessory
Tailored, pleated fabric with uniform exterior and interior
Accordion Fold
Manufactured cellulose acetate textile fiber with fast drying wrinkle resistant characteristics
Acetate
Plastic resins in synthetic fiber as coating or bind pigment
Acrylic
fabric coated with resin for waterproofing
Acrylic Coated
A&D
Architectural & Design
warm colors make surface appear closer or larger
Advancing Colors
tacky material; secures one object to the another
Adhesive
fabric printed or embossed replicating texture alligator’s skin
Alligator Skin
Chemical process where coating is etched onto metal
Anodize
Study that deals with human measurement
Anthropometric
All items over 100 years old
Antique
decorations sewn onto fabric or added to an existing surface
Applique
horizontal member or decorative band mounted below work surface or below window
Apron
pattern created by multiple design elements of interlaced flowers
Arabesque
large cabinet or wardrobe used for storing clothes, converted into entertainment/ computer center
Armoire
Small convex molding, repetitive beaded detail
Astragal
French handmade area rugs and tapestries; name originated after village in France
Aubusson
Small low wooden cabinet with drawers
Bachelor’s chest
vertical area behind counter with or without sink
Backsplash
English marble topped table, decorative open iron base for cooking pastry
Baker’s Table
Small heavily proportioned pillar used for vertical support in a railing
Baluster
Column for turned wood twisted or tapered/vase shape form
Venetian Balcony
railing composed of a series of baluster
Balustrade
fabric shade creating gathered bottom at edge when raised
Balloon Shades
Inlay or marquetry technique producing contrast with surface of piece of wood furniture
Banding
Built in or free standing upholstered bench
Banquette
Built in or free standing upholstered bench
Banquette
Thin layers of natural or synthetic cloth used to line cushions
Batting
design school of 20th C
Bauhaus
practical theoretical influential and industrial art craft architectural design school
Bauhaus
small round ball made with center hole allowing to be sewn
Bead
custom made or manufactured materials used on bed
Bedding
square panel of fabric with or without elastic edge USED TO ENCASE TOP MATTRESS
Bed Skirt
Fabric bedding treatment, spans between upper and lower mattress beginning beneath COMFORTER TO TOUCH THE FLOOR
Bed Skirt
fabric bedding treatment TO TOP THE MATTRESS
BedSpread
Long seat for several individuals with or without back support
Bench
one artisan creates piece of furniture from start to finish
Bench made
Built in bench
Bench Seat
Wood Steamed and bent to form structural members of furniture
Bentwood
French exposed wood frame, overstuffed upholstered, armchair with closed arms
Bergere Chair
Sloping on edge of panel
Bevel
Slanted and polished edge
Bevel Edge
custom or machine made clear glass panel with angled polished edge
Beveled glass
furniture cabinet to store literary and artistic materials
Bibliotheque
(library)
glass ring added at base of candle to gather wax
Bobeche
cylindrical shaped pillow
Bolster
outward swelling on commodes
Bombe
Chest constructed of several open shelves to hold book and accessories
Book Case
Veneer sliced TO CREATE MIRRORED IMAGE PATTERN
Book Match
convex cabinet front
Bow Front
board that does not sit flat
Bowed
fabric sleeve constructed to hide springs, gathered with elastic on underneath side
Box Spring Cover
wire coils connected with metal frame often padded and encased in quilted fabric
Box Springs
Term loosely applied to a form of marquetry veneers of tortoiseshells and brass sometimes combined
Boullework
Decorative or structural installed to support overhangs, cantilevered
Bracket
large cabinet where center section projects beyond two side projections
Breakfront
fabric finishing process using abrasive surface to create raised nap on surface
Brushed Finish
linear furniture piece with storage for flatware as counter serving
Buffet
long twisted heat set multiply fringe often used on upholstery
Bullion Fringe
thick round edge detail
Bull nose Edge
furniture leg in shape of bun or flattened ball
Bun Foot
refers to American dresser or French writing desk
Bureau
hardwood with swirling growth pattern
Burled Wood
two fibers chemically printed to dissolve one of the fibers
Burn Out
Wood working joint joined together only by glue or nails
Butt Joint
Free standing or built in furniture piece designed for storage or display
Cabinet
combination of built-in cabinets
Cabinetry
Carved wood furniture leg curving outward and knee tapering inward
Cabriole Leg
thin layer surrounding trunk that is in active growth
Cambium Layer
sofa style by a large curved rose or HUMP located on the seat back
CamelBack Sofa
Multiple candle holders supported on a decorative stand
Candelabra
projecting structural member supported on a fulcrum; held in place downward force behind leverage point
Cantilever
Process of woodwork to manufacture and produce
Carpentry
adorn objects by cutting wood
Carve
furniture pieces primarily constructed of wood
Case Goods
semi-sheer, translucent, opaque fabric typically in neutral color ways
Casement Cloth
Custom woodwork; all parts in finished case or cabinet inclusive of door, drawers,a nd shelves
Casework
molten iron poured into mold create multiple casting
Cast Iron
individual seat constructed with armrest; often by four legs
Chair
Wood Trim installed horizontally on a wall around a round ; about 30” above ground
Chair rail
long reclining chair/sofa
Chaise Lounge
large furniture wardrobe with drawer
Chifferobe
style of art depicting Asian or Chinese motif popular in France and England
Chinoiserie
stone shaped by sharp hand tool
Chiseled
designs that withstood the test of time, classical proportions, in architecture; classy or sleek
Classic
carved end on furniture leg resembling animal claw
Claw Foot
free standing furniture enclosed cabinetry implemented to store belongings
Closet
low table placed in front of sofa
Coffee Table
images or patterns decoupage, utilized in a specific project
Collage
Faux painting technique where tool with teeth, dragged through wet paint to create striations
Combing
bedcover with two layers of fabric filled , fill stitched together
Comforter
cabinet or chest raised of floor with legs; can hold wash basin or chamber pot
Commode
hinged attached to door and frame from inside making it invisible from exterior
Concealed hinge
carved decorative bracket; control panel for monitoring electrical equipment usage
Console
table supported by ornamental consoles
Console Table
design style with simple lines, curves, and geometric patterns
Contemporary
24” European squared decorative pillow, often used in sets of 3 on king bedding
Continental Pillow
machine made or handmade decorative binding
Cording
Crafted cabinet designed to fit tightly into the corner of the room
Corner cabinet
upholstered furniture used for sitting or reclining
Couch
Horizontal work surface; 29” seating ht, 36-39” standing height
Counter
decorative bedspread or covering
Coverlet
Surface finish creating glaze of fine cracks
Crackle
hand fabricated an object
Craft
linear wood chest
Credenza
French surface mounted hardware locking mechanism with sliding rod operated by center knob
Cremone bolt
molding installed where wall and ceiling meet
Crown Molding
slender display cabinet with glass shelves
Curio Cabinet
undulating grain in wood, ribbon spiral
Curly
smooth continuous line deviating from straight line
Curve
soft pillow or padding
Cushion
made ot order
Custom
clear glass ornamentation created using diamond wheel to cut decorative apttern
Cut Glass
wrapping foam cushions with synthetic polyester layers for padding
Dacron wrap
decoration on lower portion of interior wall between baseboard and chair rail
Dado
section of a column pedestal above the base
Dado
woodworking joint where groove is cut across the grain and another board fitted on groove
Dado Joint
art of decorating a surface with cut-outs
Decoupage
embellishment
Decoration
artistic application of glue, paper cut outs to surface
Decoupage
Rectangular or square block equally spaced along a piece of molding, creating TOOTH
Dentil
design and drafting, overall measurement from front to back
Depth
execute arrangements carefully
Design
horizontal or slanted work surface; 29-30” ht
Desk
drawing at larger scale; indicating in detail the design
Detail
corner wall cabinet
Diagonal Cabinet
spatial qualities
Dimension
finishing technique creating aged patina, worn appearance
Distressed
mechanical attachment on loom for weaving geometric figures
Dobby
small symmetrical pattern repeats
Dobby weave
furniture joinery technique of interlocking wedge shaped finger cutouts
Dovetail Joint
Round wooden metal pin used to reinforce furniture
Dowel
wooden box, upper side open with handle; to be pulled out horizontally in a cabinet
Drawer
horizontal cabinet composed of series of drawers deigned to store clothing and personal items which companioned by mirror
Dresser
patterns repeat is dropped down one half of its length
Drop Match Pattern
custom fabric bedding treatment touching the floor
Dust Ruffle
fabric casing for comforter
Duvet Cover
utilizing elements from multiple sources
Eclectic
coiled springs twine front to front to back, side to side, diagonally
eight way hand tied
ornament with raised work or 3 dimensional design; fabric created by rolling goods between engraved cylinders
Embossed
act of creating raised effect
Embossing
hard glossy surface finish
Enamel
strong wood working joint, two boards are rabbeted and joined
End Lap Joint
block print surface made from etched or engraved plate
Engraving
ornamental centerpiece supporting individual dishes for displaying fruit or flowers
Epergne
study that deals with space planning in relationship with man’s activities
Ergonometrics
Human factor engineering
Ergonomics
a writing desk
Escritoire
protective plate installed behind door knobs or as key hole cover
Escutcheon
tall open shelving units for displaying accessories, open on all sides
Etagere
design on metal, glass using wax or film created by revealing specific areas with special needle and applying etching material for frosted appearance
Etch
etched plate drawing or design
Etching
square pillow shams, 24”x24”
Euro Shams
visible hinge attched to door and frame or two panels
Exposed Hinge
materials forced through machinery diet to form specific shape
Extruded
item created
Fabricated
reproducing or re-interpreting a painted wood grain finish
Faux Bois
board of compressed wood shavings glue
Fiber Board
general pattern or design of timber produced on smooth longitudinal surface
Figure Pattern
decorative hardware, turned cylindrical ornament used as crowning ornament on furniture
Finial
final treatment
Finish
final treatments
Finishes
fabric manufacturing process including weaving, printing, bleaching, dyeing
fabric manufacturing process including weaving, printing, bleaching, dyeing etc
Finishing
documents detailing doors, windows, finished, clors and other components
Finish Schedule
hardware such as hinges, locks, catches that has finished appearance well as function , as part of decorative treatment
Finish Hardware
pertains to either pipe part, window hardware or decorative or functional item component in building fixed but not built-in
Fitting
synonymous for floor covering
Flooring
decoration of parallel grooves, concave and semi-circular in section on classical columns and friezes
Fluting
Products with a laminated polyurethane foam backing
Foam Back
stiff sheet of Styrofoam sealed with laminated paper front and back
Foam Core Board
ornamental geometric pattern repeated within a boarder
Fret
refers to drafting an actual size pattern or elevation
Full Sizing
artwork, accessories, area rugs, cabinetry, lighting storage equipment window treatments an dupholstery
Furnishing
any freestanding or custom built article constructed to provide surfaces for sitting or storing objects
Furniture
position of furniture and accessories, including cabinetry, upholstery, area rugs, planst etc
Furniture Layout
Planned in space; shown in relation to walls, windows, electrical, flooring, transitions
Furniture Layout
Victorian machine-made decorative wood panels created by combining various shapes, pattern, sizes of wood pieces together into an intricate openwork design; CHINESE LATTICE DETAILING
Fretwork
convertible frame utilizing a cotton filled mattress which can be used as a bed and a sofa
Futon Bed
table with drop leaves and a moveable leg; which can be swung into position to hold the leaf upright or retracted to allow leaf to remain down
Gateleg Table
An object with thin overly of gold leaf added to its surface
Gilded
The act of applying thin overlay of gold leaf; wood work applying coating of GESSO and GOLD LEAF
Gilding
Term often used to describe elaborate lathe turn or carves wood details adorning Victorian structures, including fretwork, bracket, posts, pilasters, pediments
Gingerbread
Embellished mirror incorporating a pair of sconces wired and installed on a wall polished surface
Girandoles
Paper thin layers of gold brushed onto a prepared adhesive surface, usually over a red primer to increase vibrancy and luster
Gold Leaf
Resin finished applied through a heat pressure process to chintz creating a polished surface
Glazed Chintz
unbleached woven goods, in an unfinished state
Geige/ Gray/ Grey Goods
two round metal sleeves crimped together to protect and strengthen an eyelet
Grommet
Decorative pattern of interlacing curves
Guilloche
Woodworking joint with one end rabbeted and other board is dadoed somewhere in the middle
Half Lap Joint
Iron heated and formed by hand
Hand Forged
Generic term for panel manufactured primarily from interfelted lignocellulose fiber consolidated under heat and pressure in hot press
HardBoard
Various materials to mechanize the operation of cabinetry drawers and doors
Hardware
wood planks from slow growing tree which is dense and strong
plain decorative boards or other materials used to create a headrest or end support on a bed, connected by side rails
Older and harder usually darker portion of the woody stem; PART OF TREE TRUNK BEING PRODUCED INTO LUMBER
Heartwood
tall queen anne styled chest of drawers supported by legs
Highboy
Multi-level pile heights
High Low
Any style, fashion or design considered most up-to-date, often costly
High Style
to set one material into the surface of another creating a decorative pattern; created by inserting into a solid wood a pattern
Inlay
refers to the used as baseboard, railing, chair rail, molding and door, and window trim
Interior Trim
Decorative, hand forged iron or cast iron grilles, screens, gates and grates
Ironwork
17thC stylized floral imitating embroidered crewel work
Jacobean
Method of finishing cabinetwork in imitation of the lacquer work of Japan and China
Japanning
various methods of woodworking
Joinery
KD; furniture sold unassembled
Knock-Down
synthetic coating dried to from a protective film
Lacquer
Cloth and synthetic layers bonded together to improve performance and appearance
Laminated
method of bonding one layer to another under heat or pressure
Lamination
Process by which same layer of the same material or alternate material are applied on coordinate surface
Lamination
Wood hinged box, which provides a slanted writing surface when flipped open
Lap Desk
open wok fabric featuring diagonal crisscross patterns
Lattice
Preserved and tanned hide of an animal
Leather
Reproduction material emulating an animal hide
Leather-Like
Tudor carved wood detail representing fabric fold on paneling
Linenfold
upholstered seating designed to seat two, usually with arms and back
Love Seat
faux finish imitating real marble
Marbelized
decorative wood veneer inlay or other materials in which thin sheets are cut into delicate pattern and applied into carcase
Marquetry
Non-shiny finish
Matte Finish
Medium Denisty Board
MDF
two boards are cut at 45 degree angle and joined
Miter Joint
specific unit of measure for calculating area, distance, height etc
Measurement
real or imitated metal finish
Metal finish
metal finish with iridescent and reflective qualities
Metallic Finish
woodwork manufactured at a lumber mill use for interior trim
Millwork
glass panel with a mercury backing applied to the back side; reflects an identical or distorted image
Mirror
any material including wood or fabric folded or joined to create a 45 degree angle
Mitered Corner
panel used on furniture to conceal view
Modesty Panel
refers to the weight of water contained in wood expressed in percentage
Moisture content
create an object using a old
Molded
a slot cut into a piece of wood
Mortise
soft seating offering swivels, recliners, or incliners
Motion upholstery
mattress and frame which folds down or is raised and concealed in a built-in wall unit or cabinet
Murphy Bed
mattress and frame which folds down or is raised and concealed in a built-in wall unit or cabinet
Murphy Bed
upholstery detail using a series of decorative tacks
Nail Head Trim
crevice or recess on a wall
Niche
generic term used for any small table
Occassional Table
edge detail with an S shaped profile
Ogee Edge
surface or material which does not lallow light to pass
Opaque
cast brass, chiseled, and gold gilded decorative mountings for furniture
Ormolu
decorative object or design added to another object
Ornament
heavy fabric with pronounced crosswise ribs; upholstered furniture as foot rest or seat
Ottoman
fabric or materials used to provide additional cushioning
Padding
act of applying purely decorative details or designs
Ornamentation
to coat a surface with an opaque, liquid agent tinted with pigment
Paint
a surface fully or partially coated with paint
Painted
act of applying a coat of layer of paint to a surface
Painting
intricate interlocking curvilinear pattern originating in india
Paisley
geometric wood patterns inlaid in flooring and furniture; form of veneers esp floors creating a geometric pattern
Parquetry
“Chipboard” wood sheet or panel of wood chips milled, glued, and pressed to form under high pressure and temperature
Particle Board
non structural interior dividing wall
Partition wall
lustrous aged finish, A green film formed on copper or bronze by long exposure; valued aesthetically
Patina
repetitive or random arrangement of designs and decoration onto another surface
Pattern
Increments between horizontal or vertical patterns repeated
Pattern repeat
Support for an object of art
Pedestal
Suggesting a specific time in history
Period
cushions or various shapes stuffed with feathers, polyester fill, foam to provide neck and back support
Pillow
fabric cover designed to protect pillow from soiling
Pillow Sham
Molded or extruded compounds formed through a chemical process
Plastic
factory manufactured sheet of wood with pile of thin veneer sheets and solid wood slats on the middle layer core
Plyboard
several layers of pile of thin wood veneers glued together one on top of the other forming a sheet of wood
Plywood
synthetic polymer fiber manufactured from coal, water and petroleum; resistant to shrinking, stretching, wrinkling
Polyester
synthetic material composed of monomers; chemically connected
Polymer
synthetic resin manufactured from polymers joined by urethane used in adhesives
Polyurethane
fabric gathered into a puff; ottoman typically in dressing area and tufted
Pouf
paint designed to seal or prep wall surface prior to painting
Primer
comparative relationship between elements or objects: balance symmetry etc
Proportion
refers to producing 3D sample of designated item, either in full size or reduced scale
Prototyping
logs cut in quarter lengthwise to reveal intricate wood grain patterns
Quarter Sawn
Cut into the edge of a board; cabinet drawer
Rabbet Joint
carved wood detailing combining a series of thin parallel convex lines used as inlay or applied carving
Reeding
raised ornamentation
Relief
decorative metalwork outlined and embossed, hammered, or punched on the back side
Repousse
term used to describe styles and fashion from the past, items from 1940-1960
Retro
thin band with finished edges used to tie trim or embellish
Ribbon
shell covered rock work ornamentation; French origin
Rocaille
The younger and softer sap-containing and usually light colored portion of the woody stem
Sapwood
curved shapes repeated along the edge of an object
Scallop
woven cloth with errors and flaws
Seconds
cabinet with hinged surface opening forward onto pull out supports revealing cubby holes for writing materials with a bookcase
Secretary
elongated upholstered seating created with multiple connected units designed to seat 4 or more, including right angle or change lounge
Sectional
furniture utilized in a dining area for storing utensils and table service
Server
winding and curving back and forth like a serpent
Serpentine
patterns set side by side on the same level
Set Match
Medium sized sofa or long bench
Settee
quality of any given color that differs slightly from the original color
Shade
an effect which appears along a seam of the same product; ink unevenly applied during dye
Shading
oriental, geometric, wood screen with rice paper panels
Shoji Screen
case goods, serving food and storing china; 36” Ht
Sideboard
stationary, vertical windows flaking an operating exterior door
Sidelight
armless upholstered chair with a skirt low to the ground; designed used for bedroom
Slipper chair
upholstered seating designed to accommodate 3 or more people, usually with arms and back
Sofa
detailed outline including all important and necessary criteria for construction or implementation
Specification
shaft of a door knob in a unit of door hardware connecting knobs; slender decorative vertical support of a stairway or balcony railing
Spindle
round stick or turned wood of varied forms used as decorative ornament or part of wood furniture
Spindle
long metal ruler or tool used to trim selvage edges and cut a straight line; as in woodworking
Straight-Edge
tanned leather animal hide with the exterior layer removed and napped surface
Suede
synthetic woven textile with brushed nap surface imitating suede
Suede cloth
opening enclosed with decorative trim on all sides
Sorround
top surface of a table which can be made of wood glass or stone
Table Top
slanted edge; square bottom
Beveled edge
thick round; full or half
Bullnose Edge
indented half round; square bottom
Dupont Edge
straight cut edge
Flat edge
multiple s curved edge
Ogee Edge
narrow full round edge
Pencil edge
slightly rounded top edge
Radius Edge
roughly and randomly textured edge
Rock Face
rounded top, square bottom edge
Waterfall edge
may be solid wood, wood veneer, metallic face laminate, or cork laminated to a tempered hardboard core with brown fabric backing
Tambour
Gradual transition
Taper
a set of detailed accurate visual presentations or drawings created through drafting
Technical Working Drawings
a narrow piece of wood custom cut to fit inside a mortise
Tenon
specialty seating designed to accommodate two people for an intimate conversation often in an S Shape; seen side by side or end to end configurations
TEE A TEE
chair utilized by kings, cardinals for ceremonial occasions
Throne Chair
wood joinery created by milling a tongue on the edge of a flat board, which slips into a corresponding groove on an adjacent board
Tongue and Groove
standing lamp with indirect upward light
Torchier
hard black brown mottled shell of turtles and tortoises used as inlay or imitated on other surfaces
Tortoise Shell
semi-opaque surface, which diffuses light while partially obscuring a a view
Transclucent
completely see-through surface or object
Transparent
decorative textile used for edging fabric or upholstery panels
Tri
French mirror incorporating carved wood panels or oil paintings within the framework above the mirror
Trumeau Mirror
daybed twin bed frame housing an additional mattress below; pulled out as needed
Trundle bed
materials used to make soft seating
Upholstery
liquid coating applied to wood forming a protective barrier
Varnish
paper thin wood sheets applied to outer surface of furniture, to create decorative pattern
Veneer
patterns created by placing thin slices of wood together featuring the grain in various combination
Veneer Match
greenish patina found on aged brass, bronze or copper
Verdigris
random pattern of curving squiggly lines
Vermicelli
fiber made with manufactured compound polymer
Vinyl
glass sided display cabinet with glass shelves designed to highlight special collections of china or unique artifacts
Vitrine
Volatile Organic Compound
VOC
material applied to the bottom third of the interior wall
Wainscoting
free standing or built in cabinet designed specifically to house clothing with hooks or rods
Wardrobe
spindle back, turned legged chair with a rush seat
Windsor
wing shaped high back upholstered chair with upholstered arms and often with exposed cabriole legs
Wing Backed Chair
hand crafted or manufactured case goods
Wood Furniture
refers to general alignment or GENERAL DIRECTION OF THE WOOD FIBERS and other cells relative to the axis of the tree trunk
Wood Grain
handmade cabinetry created from the wood
Woodwork
thin sheet of glued to the carcase of furniture for refinement or decorative effect
Wood Veneer
Floor areas and furniture used by employees to perform their duties
Work Station
any surface designed for accomplishing a task
Work Surface
Cabinet or piece of furniture incorporating built-in drawers and slots for pens, letters, stationary
Writing desk
iron which is heated, bent, and hammered into shape by hand
Wrought Iron
