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A&D - Architecture & Design
A-FRAME - Steep, pitched roof forming a gable in an "A" shape.
ABSTRACT - Design illustrating general moods and forms rather than detailed realistic representations.
ACCENT LIGHTING - Controlled and focused light used to accent interior.
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN - Dwelling that meets prescribed requirements enabling the access and egress of handicapped individuals.
ACCESSORIES - Decorative objects such as vases, plants, books, and lamps added to an interior space to enhance the design
ACCESSORY - Decorative objects of art, lighting and wall hangings to enhance the design style.
ACOUSTICS - Effect of sound produced in an enclosed space.
ADVANCING COLORS - Warm or dark colors that make surfaces appear closer or larger.
AIA - American Institute of Architects
ALCOVE - Recessed area adjacent to a larger space.
ALOGOUS COLOR SCHEME - Using three colors (hues) adjacent on the color wheel. These colors create warm and cool combinations.
AMBIENT LIGHT - Illumination of a room from reflected sunlight or overhead lighting
ANALOGOUS COLOR - Colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel, i.e. Red next to Orange, Blue next to Green. See COMPLIMENTARY, PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY
ANTIQUE - Furniture, art, accessories, decorative objects and other personal possessions more than 100 years old
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE - Specific or recognizable attributes in architecture.
ARMOIRE - A large wardrobe or movable closet used for storing clothes and linens or as an entertainment center or workspace.
ART GLASS - Any form of decorative glass.
ARTISAN - An individual who creates.
ASID - American Society of Interior Designers
ASYMMETRICAL - Elements positioned off center to one another.
AUBUSSON - French handmade area rugs and tapestries used for wall hangings
AXIS - Single or multiple imaginary lines dividing major interior or architectural components of a space.
AXMINSTER CARPET - Hand-loomed carpet with a smooth cut-pile surface.
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BACKSPLASH - An upright surface or border protecting the wall behind a counter, sink, or stove typically measuring 4" to approximately 18" for a full backsplash
BAKER'S TABLE - -topped table, typically with a decorative open iron base
BALANCE - Well-proportioned or equally distributed arrangement of design elements.
BALLOON SHADE - A fabric shade creating a gathered bottom edge when raised
BALUSTER - Rounded or vase-shaped upright supports, usually made of wood or stone and used in furniture, architecture, and hand rail supports
BALUSTRADE - A railing made of balusters, bottom rail and top handrail. Balustrades are also used in smaller scale to embellish furniture
BANDING - Inlay technique producing a contrast with the surface of a piece of wood furniture.
BARREL VAULTED CEILING - Semi-cylindrical ceiling treatment.
BASKET WEAVE - Plain weave with two or more warp yarns; the knitted construction resembles the pattern of a wicker basket
BATTING - Thin layers of natural or synthetic cloth used to line cushions, pillows, quilts
BAY WINDOW - An architectural structure typically composed of three windows joined together at an angle to each other, projecting out from an exterior wall
BENCH-MADE - One artisan creates a piece of furniture from start to finish.
BERGERÉ CHAIR - French exposed-wood frame, overstuffed upholstered chair
BEVELED EDGE - Slanted edge detail used on wood, marble, glass, etc.
BEVELED GLASS - An angled, polished edge
BIAS - 45-degree angle to the grain of a fabric
BIBLIOTHEQUE - Furniture cabinet used to store literary and artistic materials.
BLOCK-OUT LINING - Lining used in window treatments to prevent light from entering a room
BOBECHE - Glass ring added at the base of a candle to gather wax.
BOLSTER - A long, cylindrical shaped pillow
BOOKING - Folding pasted wallpaper surfaces together for easier handling.
BORDER - A decorative linear pattern used along outer edge
BOW FRONT - Convex cabinet front
BUFFET - A piece of furniture designed as a counter for serving
BULLION FRINGE - Long twisted multiply fringe.
BULLNOSE EDGE - Thick, round edge detail
BUREAU - A dresser with drawers
BURLED WOOD - Hardwood with a swirling growth pattern used for veneers and inlays
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CAD/CADD - Computer aided drafting and design
CAFE CURTAIN - Window treatment typically gathered, stationary, hung from rods and rings installed half-way in a window
CAMELBACK SOFA - Sofa style characterized by a large curved rise or "hump" located on the seat back.
CANTILEVER - Projecting structural member supported on a fulcrum, which is held in place by a downward force behind the leverage point.
CARPET CUSHION - Padding used underneath carpet or area rugs for comfort and insulation.
CARPET NAP - The height the yarn stands above the backing of the carpet.
CARPET SEAM - A line where two pieces of carpet are joined by sewing, hot melt tape, or latex tape.
CASCADE - Short side panels of a valance, forming a zigzag pattern as they terrace down to a point.
CASE GOODS - furniture pieces primarily constructed of wood
CASEWORK - custom woodwork
CASHMERE - twill fabric, originally from a Cashmere goat
CASING - trim around a window or door opening. See DOOR SURROUND
CHAIR RAIL - wood trim installed horizontally on a wall around a room, used to scale down a large wall
CHAISE LOUNGE - long reclining chair or sofa
CHALLIS - fine, soft, lightweight worsted cotton, or wool
CHAMBRAY - lightweight cottons or blends with a mottled appearance
CHENILLE - A soft cotton yarn woven into a cloth resembling a wide-wale corduroy
CHEVRON - "V" pattern, i.e. herringbone, zigzag
CHIFFON - sheer, lightweight woven fabric
CHINOISERIE - style of art depicting Asian or Chinese motifs popular in France and England
CHINTZ - plain, woven cotton fabric printed in multi-colors
CHISELED - stone shaped by a sharp hand tool
CID - Certified Interior Designer, used by some state licensing agencies to identify an interior designer registered with the state
CIDA - Council for Interior Design Accreditation
CIRCA - best estimate of an exact date
CLASSIC - designs that is timeless
CLASSIC ORDERS OF ARCHITECTURE - a formulation noted scholars of Greek and Roman architectural
CLAW FOOT - carved end on a furniture leg resembling an animal claw foot
COFFERED CEILING - recessed panels created in a ceiling
COLONNADE - series of evenly spaced columns supporting arches
COLOR BOARDS - presentation boards to show specific design concept
COLOR INTENSITY - the strength of color
COLOR PALETTE - a specific group of colors, which can be contrasting, complimentary or monochromatic
COLOR RUN - where subsequent runs color may vary slightly
COLOR SCHEME - particular attributes of the color in the design project
COLOR SCHEME - A combination of colors that harmonize with each other. Color schemes are analogous, complimentary, monochromatic, or triadic
COLOR SCHEME - A combination of colors that harmonize with each other. Color schemes are analogous, complimentary, monochromatic, or triadic
COLOR TRENDS - introduction of popular color
COLOR WASHING - faux painting technique
COLOR WAY - A variety of color schemes
COLOR WHEEL - A color circle with seven contrasts and analyzing color
COMPLIMENTARY COLOR SCHEME - using two colors (hues) that are opposites on the color wheel. Varying the tints, tones, and shades of these colors adds a dramatic effect
CONTEMPORARY - designs with simple lines, curves and geometric patterns
COPING - protective cap on exterior wall
CORBEL - architectural detail projecting from a wall
CORDING - machine-made or handmade decorative binding
CORNICE - horizontal band mounted on the wall, often topping drapery treatments
CORNICE BOARD - box constructed of wood covered with fabric or painted, which is installed above windows
COVERLET - decorative bedspread or bed covering
CREDENZA - linear wood chest
CURIO CABINET - slender display cabinet, typically with glass shelves
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DADO - the lower portion of the wall of a room, decorated differently from the upper section, as with panels
DROPPED CEILING - A ceiling made of acoustic tiles suspended on a frame below the actual ceiling.
DRYWALL - Gypsum plaster board laminated with paper on both sides.
DUCK - A heavy, plain weave cotton fabric often used for slip covering because it is sturdy and easy to clean
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EGGSHELL - A paint base with a low-sheen satin finish; an off-white color
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FAUX - French for fake, it refers to a decorative painting technique using plaster and glazes
FLAT - A paint base with a dull finish. This finish shows dirt easily and is difficult to clean
FLOOR PLAN - A measured drawing of the dimensions, features, windows, and door openings of a room.
FOCAL POINT - the point of emphasis in a well-designed room
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HARDWOOD - flooring consisting of planks made of oak, maple, walnut, and less commonly, teak, mahogany, and other exotic species
HEARTH - the interior and the area immediately in front of a fireplace
HEIRLOOM - any object with both monetary and sentimental value
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JUTE - A plant fiber from East India used to make ropes, sacks, and floor coverings
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LAMINATE - any material made by bonding two or more layers of another material, to create a stronger, less permeable surface covering
LAYOUT - also called a floor plan, this is used to decide the placement of furniture, appliances, and accessories within a room
LMD - A simple design style based on light, medium, and dark tones. Light tones are used as the background. Medium colors are used for large furniture pieces and windows coverings. Dark tones are used for accessories
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MATTE - A paint finish which absorbs light. See Flat
MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEME - using one color (hue) in various tints, tones and shades. Use multiple textures and patterns to add character and maintain unity
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OTTOMAN - an upholstered low stool or footrest
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PALETTE - the family of colors selected for a room
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RENOVATE - more comprehensive than "redecorate", it implies restoration to an earlier condition by repairing or remodeling
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SCALE - the relationship of an object to another object - such as the relationship of a piece of furniture to a room. The ratio between the size of something and a representation of it, such as the size of a floor plan drawing to the size of the actual room and furnishings
SEMI-GLOSS - A paint finish that is somewhat reflective of the light. Often used in medium-traffic areas because it is easier to clean than flat and matte finishes
SISAL - wood flooring made from easy-to-saw conifer or evergreens, such as pine, spruce, or fir
SOFTWOOD - wood flooring made from easy-to-saw conifer or evergreens, such as pine, spruce, or fir
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TRACK LIGHTING - A light fixture with several same-size lamps installed along a metal track. Track lighting is mounted on a wall or ceiling and can be pointed toward different features for dramatic effect
TRAFFIC FLOW OR PATTERN - the natural path along which people travel within a room to doors, closets and around furnishings
TRIADIC COLOR SCHEME - using three colors (hues) equal distance apart on the color wheel
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WAINSCOT - paneling; often used to refer to the lower part of an interior wall when finished differently from the remainder of the wall; also called dado
