Furniture Glossary of Terms
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z A Acanthus Leaf - A decorative wood carving based on the acanthus leaf, used in 18th century design; also, often as a leaf pattern on fabrics for upholstered furniture. American Country – A rustic and simplistic furniture style incorporating common woods in wide planks and larger logs for durable function in rural America. Aniline – Term applied to dyes derived from coal tar used to color fabrics and leather. Antique - Any furnishing or other object that is 100 years or older. Apothecary Chest – A low chest with small drawers originally used to store herbs for medicinal and/or cooking purposes. Apron – The wooden panel or skirt usually seen under a dining room tabletop. Armoire – A large wardrobe with doors and shelves most often used for the storage of clothing; more recently adapted for use as an entertainment center or at-home computer work station. Arts and Crafts – A term often used interchangeable with Mission style of furniture, originating in the mid 1800’s by William Morris, to offset ornate Victorian furniture, who sought to replace it with simple but genuine craftsmanship. Furniture is blocky and rectangular, made of prominently grained oak. A.S.I.D. – American Society of Interior Designers, an association of designers who have passed stringent examinations to qualify for membership. Attached Pillow Back – A pillow treatment that cannot be removed from the upholstered piece back to top B Bachelor’s Chest – A small low chest originating in the 18th century. Backsplat – A slat of wood in the middle of a chair back. Ball and Claw foot – The base of a leg carved to resemble a ball held in a bird’s claw. Balloon Chair - A rounded-back Hepplewhite chair modeled in the shape of a hot-air balloon. Banding – Inlay or Marquetry that produces a color or grain contrast along the perimeter of a surface. Beidermeier – A German design style from the first half of the 19th century. Identifying features are based on Empire design; simple lines and light woods accented with black enamel or lacquer accents. Bench Cushion – A long seat cushion that covers the entire deck of a sofa. Bentwood – A process of steaming wood for shaping into furniture parts. Bergere – A French (Louis XIV and XV) arm chair with open or closed arms, exposed wood frame, wide proportions and a loose seat cushion. Block Foot – A square vertical foot at the base of any straight, untapered leg. Block Front – An 18th century American furniture form, used primarily in chests. The front is divided in three vertical segments: a concave panel in the center and convex panels on either side. Bolster – A long, usually cylindrical, stuffed pillow or cushion. Also an oversized pillow or back rest which can be wedge-shaped or rectangular. Bombe – A low, baroque-style chest with an outward swelling towards its base. Bonnet Top – An enclosed, arched pediment usually found on a secretary or china cabinet. Boston rocker – A 19th century generous-sized wooden American rocker with a curved seat, spindle back and wide top rail. Bow Back – A type of 18th century Windsor chair. Bow Front – Rounded curve on the front of a piece of wooden furniture. Bracket Foot – A low foot running both ways from the corner of case goods or upholstery frame to form a right angle for stability. Breakfront – A china cabinet divided vertically into three segments, with the middle segment projecting forward. Broken Pediment – Ornamental crest usually found on the top of a tall 18th century piece such as a high boy or chest. The pediment is interrupted or “broken” by an opening that highlights a carved detail such as an urn or a flame. Buffet – A functional sideboard that can be used by itself or as a base for a china cabinet. Bun Foot– A round ball used as a foot in upholstery or case good pieces such as a chest. Burl – Wood cut from a large, rounded growth or knot on a tree that creates a swirled design and is used as a special veneer on case good pieces (bedroom or dining room); has a strong, distinctive grain. Butler’s Tray Table – A tray with four, flip-up handholds that can be removed from the table lets on which it stands. An oval tabletop is created when the sides are down. Butterfly Table – A small drop-leaf table with wing brackets to support the leaves; opens into a narrow oval shape. Button Tufted – Fabric-covered buttons that are sewn through the upholstery surface and tied down. back to top C Cabriole Leg – A decorative S-shaped chair or table leg that curves outward at the knee and then tapers at the ankle. Found on Queen Anne and Chippendale furniture. Camelback Sofa – An 18th century style characterized by a large central hump or curved back; usually found in more traditional sofas. Canopy – A fabric covering attached to a frame at the top of bed posts. Captain’s Chair – A Windsor chair with tall legs and a low, round spindle back. Casegoods – Furniture deigned to provide storage space or to house (or case) household goods. The designation includes bedroom and dining room furniture, bookcases and chests. Chaise Lounge – An upholstered, elongated chair with the back and seat lengthened for stretching out. Chenille – A textured fabric featuring an evenly cut plush pile of softly woven loops. Chesterfield – A smaller type of sofa style with deep button tufting and large rolled arms. Chest – A tall piece of furniture featuring a number of drawers for clothing storage. Chest on Chest – A tall chest with an upper level of drawers stacked on top of a lower level of wider drawers. Chintz – Printed cotton fabric, often “polished” or glazed, frequently used in country or casual rooms. Chippendale – The elegant, formal late 18th century furniture style following Queen Anne. Its design is more rectangular and heavier than Queen Anne; features include cabriole legs, ball and claw feet, and highboys with broken pediment tops. Colonial – American furniture from roughly 1700 through the Revolutionary Era. Formal styles are usually mahogany, cherry or walnut with simpler furniture in pine, oak and maple; ornamentation can be simple or rich. Queen Anne and early Chippendale are sometimes included in the category, although the term is sometimes used for furniture that is high-backed, bulky and casual. Commode – A small, low chest with doors or drawers. Contemporary – A term covering several styles of furniture that developed in the latter half of the 20th century; an updated look that softened and rounded the lines of stark modern design. Cornice – Molding that crowns or runs along the top of a cabinet. Cottage Furniture – A type of casual furniture that is characterized by painted and/or decorated pieces, turned legs and simple forms. Credenza – A sideboard or buffet. Crest Rail/Top Rail – The top horizontal rail of an upholstered piece; can be very detailed. Curio – A casegood piece of furniture featuring glassed in shelves and doors for displaying collectibles. back to top D Damask – A fabric featuring woven characters against a flat background in the same color. Daybed – A seating piece that can also serve as a bed. Dentil Molding – Rectangular, tooth-like blocks spaced at equal intervals along a cornice molding. Found in 18th century architecture and design. Dhurrie – A traditional woven carpet from India of cotton or silk, noted for soft colors and varied designs. Diamond Tufting – An arrangement of tufting buttons which yields a diamond shaped pattern on the back of an upholstered piece. Directoire – Furniture designed during the era of the French Revolution, it bridges the more formal Louis XVI and the more restrained Empire style. Down – Feathers from ducks or geese used in furniture as fill for upholstery cushions or mattresses. Distressed – A furniture detail where wood pieces are purposely dented, scuffed, or otherwise marked to render an antique or rustic appearance. Dovetail – A type of joinery, usually found in drawers, where two perpendicular pieces of wood are carved in a way that the “fingers” are interlocked for added structural support. Dresser – A furniture case piece that is usually long and low enough to utilize a mirror featuring a multitude of drawers for clothing storage. Drop Front – The hinged front of an upright desk which drops down to provide a writing surface. Drop Leaf – A dining or occasional table with hinged leaves to raise or lower as needed. Dustboard (Dust Panel) – A board placed between drawers in a chest or dresser to eliminate dust. Duncan Phyfe – A furniture style popular in the American Federal period (late 18th to mid-19th century), characterized by feet with a graceful outward curve on both tables and sofas. Seating pieces often have lyre-shaped backs, rolled top rails and arms. back to top E Early American – American furniture design of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, adapted from such heavy European styles as Jacobean or William and Mary. The look is characterized by straight lines and minimal decoration. Tables are gateleg and trestle styles, chairs include ladder and slat backs. The style merged into what is now called Colonial, featuring Queen Anne and Chippendale design. Eclectic – A decorating style featuring a mix of styles, periods and patterns. Eight-Way Hand Tied – Used traditionally in upholstered furniture; each spring is tied in eight different directions by hand, securing the springs inside the sofa frame. Embossing – A manufacturing technique to “stamp” a design onto a piece of furniture; mostly used on wood pieces to resemble carving, but can also be used on fabrics and leathers to add texture. Empire – A design style inspired by the Napoleonic Empire, it includes heavy looking designs, classical design elements and combines straight lines and curves, as in sleigh beds. End Matching – Two adjacent pieces of veneer are joined end to end to form a continuous pattern; usually found on bedroom or dining room furniture, or some desks. Entertainment Center – A large case piece featuring pocket or wide-opening doors with adjustable shelving to house entertainment equipment such as TV’s and stereo components. Escutcheon – The shaped metal fitting behind a drawer pull or surrounding a keyhole. Etagere – A freestanding open cabinet with shelves for displaying accessories or collectables; can also be utilized as a room divider. back to top F Fancy-faced Veneers – Veneers cut in an exotic pattern usually used in more visible areas of wooden furniture such as door fronts or table tops. Faux – A simulation of something else. Federal – The design period following the American Revolution and running roughly through the 1820s. Federal style incorporates the neo-classic influences of Hepplewhite and Sheraton including straight and delicate lines, tapered legs, inlay and contrasting veneers. Fiddleback – A chair designed with the splat resembling a violin’s shape; seen on Queen Anne chairs. Finial – A carved or shaped decorative detail used to ornament the top of an upright such as a bedpost, in the opening of a broken pediment such as a chest, or topping a lamp. Motifs include urns, flames, pineapples and other motifs. Flame Stitch – A wavy, angular pattern, like that of a flickering flame, usually found on a brocade-type fabric. Fluting – A series of carved out semi-circular grooves usually found on columns, moldings or wooden legs. Four Poster – A colonial bed with four posts extending upward that may or may not hold a canopy. Frame – The wooden skeleton of an upholstered piece. French Provincial – Rustic versions of formal French furnishings of the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly the Louis XIV and Louis XV styles. Fretwork – Perforated ornamental decorative wood work. Futon – A sofa frame featuring a large single cushion where the frame and cushion can be unfolded to use as a bed. back to top
G
Gallery Rail – A small, slender railing, usually brass, bordering a table or sideboard. Gateleg Table – A type of drop-leaf table with leaves supported by extra legs that swing out like gates. Georgian – Elegant 18th century design, generally heavier and more ornate than Queen Anne. Features include highly carved cabriole legs, ball and claw feet, ornate carvings and pierced backsplats. Gilding – Coating with a thin layer of gold or similar gold-like substance. Glaze – A coloring technique in the finishing process that is hand blended to highlight grain characteristics of wood or give a high sheen to leather. Gooseneck Arm – An occasional or dining chair with a curved wooden arm resembling that of a gooseneck. Gothic Revival – A style influenced by medieval and Gothic influences popular in the mid-1800s, and characterized by lines flowing up to a pointed arch and other Gothic architectural features. Grain – The natural markings in wood caused by growth rings; the grain of each wood species is specific to that species. back to top H Harvest Table – A rectangular table with narrow, hinged drop-leaf sides; a popular design. Hepplewhite – Related to the Federal style in the United States, a neo-classic furniture style that followed Chippendale from the late 1700s to roughly 1820. It overlapped with Sheraton style and shares restrained design, tapered legs and classical ornamentation like urns and shields (including shield back chairs) or American carved eagles and stars. Highboy – A tall chest of drawers, developed in the 18th century; usually composed of a base and a top section with drawers, often topped with a decorative broken pediment crown. The name comes from the French “haut bois” which means “high wood”. Hitchcock Chair – A black-painted chair with a stenciled design on the backrest, named after its American designer. Hoop Back Chair – Queen Anne or Hepplewhite chair with a top rail curving directly into the arms. Huntboard – A type of sideboard used for serving food and drinks after a hunt. Designed to be light and portable so it could be moved outdoors. Hutch – Enclosed cupboard with shelves, resting on a solid base. Hutch Top – A cabinet with doors or shelves, often sitting on a desk or small chest. I.D.S. – Interior Design Society. A professional affiliation for design professionals who have achieved a high level of capability in the design field. back to top I Inlay – Decorative implanting of wood, metal, stones, leather, or other materials set into the surface of wood furniture. Intaglio – A design or illustration cut into a surface. back to top J Jacobean – Early 17th century English furniture with a medieval appearance and dark finish. Furniture from this period can be extremely simple or covered with carvings, especially as a turned rope found on legs and armrests. Jacquard – Intricate fabrics, such as tapestry, brocades and damasks, whose patterns are woven with different colored yarns. back to top K KD – “Knocked Down”; term applied to furniture that must be assembled upon delivery. Kiln-Dried – Wood that has been dried in a huge kiln at tremendous temperatures to reduce the moisture content found in that lumber to a certain predetermined percentage. Knife Edged – Loose or attached cushion treatment, which uses a single horizontal welt or seam in the middle of the front edge of a cushion. back to top L Lacquer – A clear, protective hard varnish applied in several layers as a topcoat to furnishings. Ladder Back Chairs – A dining or occasional chair with wide horizontal back slats resembling a ladder. Laminate – The binding of a thin piece of material (wood, melamine, etc.) to another material. Lattice – Carved, crisscross cutout wood pattern found in a variety of furniture pieces. Lawson – A sofa or chair with a trim, lowered arm accented with a slight roll. Leather – Hide of an animal that has been tanned; used in home furnishings in a variety of ways. Lifestyle – A relatively new term to the furniture industry that describes an “individual expression of life”; tends to be casual in nature and simple in design. Loose Pillow Back – A pillow treatment which can be removed from an upholstered piece. Louis XIV, XV and XVI – Classic French furniture design, roughly from the mid-17th century to the late 18th century. The styles grew progressively simpler and more refined: Louis XIV style is large and ornate; Louis XV is simpler but with curved lines and some ornamentation; Louis XVI has straight lines, geometric shapes and minimal ornamentation. Loveseat – A small, two-seat version of a sofa; anything with more than two cushions is considered a sofa. Lowboy – A low or short chest or table with drawers, often on short legs. Lyre Back – Chairs whose splats resemble a harp. back to top M Manchette – A small upholstered patch or cushion on an armrest. Marquetry – The inlay of a material (contrast wood, Mother-of-Pearl, ivory, etc.) into the veneer or wood to create a beautiful pattern. Matte – Rough and warm surfaces, more flat than shiny. Mission – An American version of the Arts & Crafts movement in furniture design created by Gustav Stickley featuring the simple and symmetrical designs found in Southwestern missions. Modern – Clean, architectural and streamlined 20th century furniture with roots in the German Bauhaus School of Architecture and Scandinavian design. Modernist – Clean lined contemporary design of the 20th century utilizing freedom of form and without ornamentation. Modular – Units of furniture that can be stacked or rearranged in different configurations. Molding – Shaped ornamental strips applied to and protruding from or sunk into a surface. Mortise and Tenon – A type of joinery used to attach two perpendicular pieces of wood where a carved out notch of one fits into a carved out hole of the other. Motif – A decorative theme, element or component. Motion furniture – Reclining chairs or sofas with mechanisms, such as reclining backs or extending footrests, which allow it to adjust to your body for increased comfort. back to top N Neo-Classic – Design featuring elegance and simplicity, with motifs borrowed from ancient Greece and Rome. The look was seen throughout the late 18th and 19th centuries and relates to the Empire, Sheraton, Hepplewhite and Federal periods as well as the later Beidermeier style. Nest of Tables – Tables (end table, cocktail table) of varying sizes stored under the other. back to top O Occasional Table – A term used for any small table but, more commonly, for cocktail, end and sofa tables. Ogee Bracket Foot – Commonly used in Chippendale casegood pieces, the double-curved leg wraps around two sides of the piece. Ottoman – A low upholstered seat with no arms or back used as a foot or leg rest. Overlay – A decorative trim piece of a material applied to a flat surface of wood. Oxbow – The opposite of a serpentine curve, somewhat resembling the curve of an oxbow, used on the fronts of case pieces (bedroom, dining room). back to top P Parsons Leg – A relatively long, fully upholstered leg. Parsons Table – A simple, squared-off table with legs and apron of equal widths. The name is taken from the Parsons School of Design, where the table was developed during the 1950s. Pedestal Table – A table supported by a single, center base. Pediment – An ornamental, typically triangular crown running across the top of tall 18th century pieces such as a highboy, chests, or bed. Pembroke Table – A drop leaf table with leaves that drop almost to the floor. Pencil-Post Bed – A bed with four slim posts rising six to eight feet. Design is generally simple with straight lines; the beds can be used alone or with a canopy. Pickled Finish – The result of rubbing white paint into previously stained and finished wood. Piecrust Table – A round occasional table set on a three-legged pedestal base, ornamented with a edging resembling a crimped pie crust. Pier Glass – A large, window-height mirror suspended above a table. Piercing – Carved or cutout decorative detail seen in chair splats and other 18th century furniture. Pilaster – A flattened column-like detail applied to furniture, bookcases, etc. for decorative purposes. Pineapple – A carving used in 19th century furniture as a symbol of hospitality. Plinth – The base of a chest that rests solidly on the floor, as opposed to sitting on legs. Polyurethane – A synthetic material used as cushion material in upholstered furniture, available in varying degrees of density and softness. back to top Q Queen Anne – A major furniture style of the 18th century, a period rich in innovative design. Graceful and elegant, the style (named after the 18th century English monarch) is characterized by curved lines such as cabriole legs, broken scroll pediments and rounded aprons in tables and lowboys. Typically made of cherry or mahogany wood. back to top R Rail – The horizontal piece of support or design (base rail of a sofa, for example). Rake – The angle or slant of a non-vertical leg. Reclining Chair – An upholstered chair or rocker that reclines back. Refectory Table – Short table with extension leaves stored under and pulled out from the ends. Reeding – The reverse of fluting, beaded lines projected onto a surface. Reproduction – New furniture that is an authentic copy of an antique. Restorations – Antiques or collectibles that have been brought back to original condition through reconstruction, refinishing and/or replacement of missing parts. Return – The element of an L-shaped desk that is perpendicular to the main desk, providing extra working surface. Ribband-back – A chair with back splats resembling an entwined ribbon. Rice Carved Posters – Tall, heavy bedposts carved with decorative details such as rice and tobacco plants, symbolic of the wealth of plantation owners in the Carolinas and northern Georgia, where the style originated. Rococo – A style of furniture noted for ornate, asymmetrical designs with interpretations of the shell and running water carvings utilized by Louis XIV and XV periods. Roll Top Desk – A desk with a curved, slatted panel that rolls down to hide its writing surface. Rush Seat Chair – A rustic French or American chair with seats woven of rushes. Rustic – Simple style typical of country life. back to top S Sabre Leg – A leg with a sabre-like curve. Secretary – A drop-leaf desk sitting on a base of drawers, usually with cubbyholes and slots for organizing papers and having bonnet tops reflecting their 18th century origins. Sectional – A sofa in several segments. It may be curved or straight and have one, two, or no arms. The sections may be used in combination or separately as the shape of the room dictates. Serpentine – The utilization of two curves giving a soft flow to the furniture reminiscent of a serpent’s movement; typically found on fronts or tops of case pieces, tops of sofas, etc. Settee – A small sofa or bench. Shaker – American religious sect in the 18th and 19th centuries that practiced simple living and fostered a genius for excellent design combining functionality and beauty. Design features include straight, tapered legs, and woven-strap chair seats. Sheraton – A formal style that developed from Hepplewhite, Sheraton features delicate straight lines, tapered legs (usually turned rather than square) and expert veneer and inlay. The period is known for handsome sideboards and neo-classical decorative elements including small urns and fluted columns. Shield Back – A chair with a back in the shape of a shield. Sheaf-Back Chair – The back is designed with spindles coming together in the middle inserted into a piece of wood and then flaring out again to the bottom of the chair, made to resemble a sheaf of wheat, representing home, hearth and warmth. Sideboard – Similar to a buffet table, but usually longer and more narrow, it is used in the dining area as a serving piece, many times ornamented with a brass rail along the back edge, called a “gallery”, to keep things from falling off the back. Sinuous Springs – Also known as “S” coils and “Zigzag wire”; attached to the front and back rails of the upholstered frame below the seat cushions, and/or the top and bottom rails of the upholstered piece back and are used in place of actual coil spring units. Skirt – The piece of fabric that is applied to the bottom edge of an upholstered piece, hiding the legs. Slat Back Chair – An early American chair form incorporating horizontal slats. Sleigh Bed – A 19th century American adaptation of a popular French Empire design. The sleigh bed has a high, scrolled headboard and footboard resembling the front of a sleigh. Slip Seat – A removable, upholstered chair seat. Sofa – A long seat with back and arms. While most early sofas were upholstered, springs were not used in sofas until the early 1800s. Sofa Table – A table used behind a sofa or love seat that has been positioned away from the wall or in the middle of a room. Spindle – A slender, turned piece of wood used for chair backs, headboards, footboards, and decoration. Spiral Leg – A leg carved in the shape of a rope twist or spiral. Splayed Leg – Legs that slant outward from the piece of furniture to which they are attached. Staining – The step in the finishing process that applies color to a piece of furniture while allowing the wood grain to show through. Stretcher – Supports that are attached to the legs of furniture pieces such as chairs, cocktail tables, etc. to add additional support. Swivel Rocker – A chair that revolves and rocks on a stationary platform. back to top T T-Cushion – A “T” shaped cushion designed to fit around the arm of an upholstered piece of furniture. Table Lamp – A lamp designed to be placed on a surface other than the floor, wall or ceiling. Tapered Leg – A leg that gets incrementally smaller towards the bottom. Tea Table – A small portable table, frequently used in place of a cocktail table; often has raised edges resembling a tray and side pullouts for candles. Tester – A canopy over a bed, supported with high bed posts. Ticking – Fabric used for mattress covers. Tilt Top Table – A small table with a hinged top that can stand vertically when not in use. Tongue and Groove – A type of joinery used to attach two perpendicular boards by fitting and gluing the slat of one into the groove of the other. Trestle Table – A long, narrow table with two T-shaped uprights that are joined by a single stretcher; usually found in country style of furniture. Trundle Bed – A low bed than can be rolled under a regular bed for storage when not in use. Turning – The shaping of wood such as legs or trim on a lathe. Tuxedo – A style of sofa or chair with a square frame created by arm and back rests of equal height. back to top U Upholstery – Furniture (sofas, chairs, etc.) that is covered in fabric, leather or other materials, with most wood construction features hidden under layers of padding and fabric. Uprights – The outer vertical posts of a chair. back to top V Veneer – A thin layer of wood permanently bonded to another surface for greater strength. The most beautiful grain patterns are used for the outermost layer (or face veneer) of furniture pieces. Victorian – A furniture style popular from the middle to end of the 19th century, named for England’s Queen Victoria. Furniture is usually walnut, mahogany or rosewood in dark finishes, often highlighted with elaborate, carved floral designs. Oval chairbacks are common, as are marble tops on tables and dressers. back to top W Welting – Cord wrapped in fabric that is used to trim upholstery seams and places where the fabric meets exposed wood. William and Mary – This style, named for the 17th century English King and Queen, came to America in the early 1700s. Innovations included high-backed, upholstered armchairs, highboys and lowboys. Design elements include curved lines, bun or ball feet, marquetry, inlay and oriental lacquerwork. Windsor Chair – A popular 19th century wooden chair that has rounded spindles forming the back and attached to a curved top. Wing Chair – A high-backed upholstered chair with wings on either side of the chair back. back to top |
