Furniture Terms
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
acanthus leaf: ornate decorative motif, found most commonly on case
goods, of a stylized leaf. While the design originated in the architecture
of ancient Greece, it persists as a mark of rich, opulent design.
accent colors: colors used sparingly in a color scheme, and for
emphasis.
acetate: a synthetic-fiber fabric with a silky feel and luster.
acorn: a turned ornament that resembles an acorn.
Adam style: Historically 1760-1792. Four Scottish brothers, John,
Robert James and William, were architects and furniture designers in the
late Georgian period. The furniture they designed was intended to complement
the houses they built. Their designs were delicate, yet restrained. They
were greatly influenced by travels to Greece and Italy where they toured
the ruins at Pompeii. The lines of their furniture were more often straight
than curved and were accentuated by fluting, with ornamentation of carved
wreaths, swags, urns and waves.
Adamesque: reminiscent of the style of the Adams brothers. (See
Adam style.)
adjustable beds: The term adjustable bed refers to a mattress over
a foundation that incorporates motors that allow the user to raise and lower
the foot and head of the bed. Adjustable beds offer benefits to people with
certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea or acid reflux disease, but
they are also useful for those who like to watch TV or read in bed. King
size adjustable beds usually consist of two twin units side-by-side and
require separate fitted sheets. Adjustable beds can often be used with traditional
headboards and footboards to better integrate them with traditional decors.
air chamber beds: mattress that uses pockets of air that can be
inflated or deflated at will, rather than using coils or springs. This allows
for two people to have different mattress firmness in one bed. The chambers
are surrounded by high density foam for support and structural integrity.
American Colonial: Historically 1620-1790. American versions of
formal English and European styles. Early Colonial Style could be considered
a pared-down version of the Jacobean style with sturdiness and simplicity
emphasized by straight legs and arms on chairs and scant carved ornamentation
on other case goods. Late Colonial Style embraced the elegant curves of
Queen Anne style. Decorative aspects such as cabriole legs and carvings
appear, but are distilled to their essence. Styles ranged across the colonies
and were derivations of styles from the colonists homelands with English
influence strongest in the north, and French and Spanish more prevalent
in the south.
analogous color scheme: a color scheme that consists of adjacent
colors in a color wheel; for example, yellow and green.
angle bed: bed with a canopy at the head, but not the foot.
aniline leather: a translucent dye applied to leather in vats. The
translucent quality allows the grain to show through, but it can also show
imperfections, therefore only the best quality hides are used for this process.
May also be referred to as true aniline, naked aniline, pure aniline, naked
leather, unprotected leather, or natural leather.
antimacassar: An unattached covering for the arms and / or back
of a piece of upholstered furniture that is intended to protect the furniture
from soiling. Originally made with crochet, knit or cruel techniques, in
the twentieth century manufacturers began offering them in matching upholstery
fabric. The come in two styles: fitted style, to go around the end of the
arm, or napkin style, to lie across the arm or the back.
antique: furniture or object that is more than a century old.
antique finish: a furniture finish that is distressed and stained
to simulate the aged patina of an antique.
antiquing: the process of creating an antique finish.
appliqué: decorative ornament adhered to a surface. Can refer
to pieces of fabric sewn together, or to carved wood elements attached to
the surface of a case good.
apron: rail that runs between table legs and helps to support a
table top.
architrave: a molding around a doorway, window or other opening.
arm chair: a chair with side supports on which the seated person
may rest their arms.
armoire: large freestanding cabinet with doors traditionally used
for clothes storage, but today armoires often serve to function as entertainment
centers and computer/home office storage. Also known as a wardrobe.
arrow back chair: a variety of Windsor chair in which the vertical
members of the back that connect the seat and the top of the back resemble
arrows. These spindles are round at both ends but flatten in the middle
with an arrow-like flare.
Art Deco: architectural and home furnishings style popular in the
1920's and 1930's that is characterized by streamlined silhouettes and "modern"
materials, such as plastic, glass and chrome.
Art Noveau: artistic, architectural and home furnishings style of
the late 19th and early 20th century, characterized by flowing lines and
nature motifs.
Arts & Crafts: an aesthetic movement, with political overtones,
in decorative arts that originated in England as a reaction to the impact
of the industrial revolution which created inhumane working conditions and
produced shoddy work. Arts & Crafts emphasized the handiwork of the artisan
with simple, rectilinear lines, and exposed construction techniques. Mid-toned
oak finishes that highlight the natural grain of the wood are predominate
in this style. The style grew out of a rejection of the ornate, dark and
heavy fashion of Victorian furniture.
attached back sofa: sofa with the back cushions attached to the
body of the sofa.
Austrian shade: similar in construction to a Roman shade, Austrian
shades, however, are shirred so that the hanging fabric forms a scalloped
edge at the bottom.
