| Box Joint- An interlocking joint commonly used to
construct cabinet drawers
Bracket Foot- Decorative or plain right angled foot shaped
like a bracket placed at each corner of the piece.
Brass- An alloy used for furniture handles, knobs,
hinges and fasteners; also used to construct headboards and footboards.
Breakfront- A cabinet with the front center section that
protrudes forward or outward from the end sections.
Buffet- A sideboard used in the dining area for
serving food or the storage of silverware and dishes.
Bun Foot- A flattened ball foot which resembles the
shape of a bun.
Bureau- A chest of drawers typically used in a
bedroom.
Burl- An abnormal growth on trees usually near the
base of the trunk or crotch which is usually cut for veneer because of
it's figured pattern.
Butler's Table- An oval table with four sides hinged upwards
that fold out flat when in use.
Butt Joint- A simple but weak joint used to join two
boards together at right angles.
C
Cabinet- A cupboard with doors, shelves and or drawers
used for storage or display.
Cabriole- Furniture leg which curves outward from where
it's attached descending in a reverse curve into an ornamental foot.
Camel Back- The broad curve and rise of the center section
of a sofa back.
Cane Webbing- Pre-woven cane machine made from individual
strands of chair cane available in various widths and patterns. Held in
place using a tapered reed spline pressed into a groove.
Caning- Weaving or interlacing of narrow strips of the
skin of the rattan palm to form chair seats, backs or sides.
Captain's
Chair- A short
backed, rounded arm chair with spindles.
Case Goods- Storage pieces typically made of wood such as
dressers, bookcases, hutches, chests and desks.
Caster- Small wheel designed to allow furniture to be
moved; used on chairs and antique case goods.
Catalyzed
Lacquer- A highly
durable reactive film finish; a lacquer with an added catalyst to
accelerate a chemical reaction during evaporation.
Chaise Lounge- Long chair; sofa with one or two arm in the
shape of an elongated chair for reclining.
Cherry- Hardwood obtained from the cherry tree used in
furniture construction.
Chest on
Chest- Tall chest
consisting of two stacked chest of drawers with the upper chest being
narrower than the base chest.
Cheval Mirror- Freestanding full length mirror supported by
uprights on each side allowing the mirror to pivot.
China Cabinet- Display cabinet placed upon a buffet used to
display or store dishes.
Chintz- Brightly colored and polished fabric.
Chippendale- Ornate, carved style of furniture from the
18th century.
Claw Foot- Carved furniture foot resembling an animal's
claw.
Club Chair- Low back upholstered chair with arms.
Coffee Table- Long, low table placed in front of seating.
Coil Spring- A conical coiled spring used in rows for
seating support.
Commode- Low chest of drawers or cupboard; originally
referred to a nightstand that concealed a chamber pot.
Console Table- Small or narrow table designed to be placed
against or fixed to a wall.
Contemporary- Modern look or style of furniture.
Corner Blocks- Small blocks of wood glued in place to
reinforce or strengthen adjoining pieces of wood.
Corner
Cabinet- Triangular
shaped cabinet designed for use in a corner.
Credenza- Sideboard or buffet with doors used for
storage; commonly found in an office behind a desk.
Cross Banding- Veneer applied to the edge of table tops or drawer
fronts at a right angle to the face veneer.
Curio Cabinet- Tall, slender, sometimes lighted cabinet with
glass doors and panels used to display collectibles.
D
Damask- A reversible fabric with design.
Davenport- Compact writing desk features a sloped top
above drawers.
Daybed- Seating unit that can double as a bed.
Deck- The foundation of a chair or sofa where the
loose cushions are placed.
Dentil
Molding- Decorative
molding utilizing evenly spaced blocks.
Dining Chair- Chair used at a dining table; available with
or without arms.
Dining Table- A table where meals are served and eaten.
Distressing- A finishing technique to make the wood appear
aged or old by adding rub marks, small holes and indentations.
Dovetail
Joint- Common
interlocking joint noted for it's resistance to pulling apart; typically
used on drawer sides.
Dowel- Round wooden pin; usually spiral fluted or
reeded used to join pieces of wood together and strengthen the joint.
Dowry Chest- See Wedding Chest.
Drawer- An open top box or compartmentfor storagethat slides in and out in a
cabinet.
Dresser- A chest with drawers for the storage of
clothing.
Drop Leaf- A table having hinged extension leaves that
are supported by a bracket when in use and hang vertically against the table
when not in use.
Dust Cover- The material or fabric used to cover the
bottom of a sofa or chair; also called cambric.
E
Ebonized- Wood stained dark and polished to simulate
ebony.
Embossed- A low relief raised design such as an
ornamental piece made through pressure rather than carving.
Entertainment Center- Cabinet or shelving unit used to store a
television, video and audio components.
Epoxy- A high strengthtwo partadhesive consisting of a resin
and hardener.
Escutcheon- A decorative or plain plate that protects the
area around a keyhole.
Etagere’- An open shelving unit used for display
purposes.
F
Fabric- Cloth produced by weaving natural or synthetic
textile fibers together.
Fall Front- A hinged door of a secretary desk that drops
down to create a writing surface.
Faux Finish- Decorative finish used to imitate the look of
a natural material.
Feather
Banding- Narrow bands
of veneer inlaid in opposing diagonal directions.
Fiddle Back- The back splat of a chair that resembles the
shape of a fiddle or violin.
Figuring- The natural grain patterns of woods such as
curly maple.
Finger Joint- Used to join short pieces of wood at the ends
to make a longer one; provides strength through increased glue surface
area.
Finish- The protective coating applied to furniture to
protect the substrate; common finishes include paint, lacquer and
polyurethane.
Fleur De Lis- A French floral emblem or carving in the shape
of an Iris or Lily.
Footrest- The brace or bar at the front of a stool for
your feet.
Frame- The basic structure of an upholstered chair or
sofa; usually made from a hardwood.
Front RailThe front cross piece of wood between the legs
of a piece of furniture such as a chair.
Four Poster
Bed- A bed with posts at each corner; may vary in
height.
G
Gallery Rail- Small or low railing used around a shelf or
table top.
Gateleg table- Drop leaf table with leaves supported by legs
that swing out from the side like a gate.
Gilding- Decorative effect of applying gold leaf or
powder to a surface.
Gimp- A fabric fold used to hide upholstery
fasteners or tacks.
Glazing- Finishing step of applying and wiping off
stain used to highlight wood grain and features such as carvings.
Glide- Applied to the bottom of furniture legs to
protect the floor surface and make the piece easier to move around;
commonly made from metal, nylon or felt.
Glue Block- A small block of wood used to reinforce a
joint.
Gold Leaf- Thin leaves of gold used in gilding.
Grain- The natural patterns in wood created by the direction
of fibers.
H
Hand Rubbed
Finish- An oil
finish applied to a piece of furniture by hand.
Hardwood- The wood from deciduous trees (trees that lose
their leaves during winter).
Harvest Table- A narrow, rectangular drop leaf table
Headboard- The upright structure attached to the head of
the bed frame.
Hepplewhite- An 18th century furniture design.
Highboy- A tall or high chest of drawers upon a lowboy
(base) raised on long legs; a two part case piece.
Hope Chest- A hinged top chest for the storage of items in
anticipation of marriage.
Huntboard- Originally used to serve food and refreshments
after a hunt; light or portable sideboard.
Hutch- An upper cabinet consisting of shelves; with
or without doors placed upon a chest, desk or buffet.
I
Inlay- Decorative technique of inserting contrasting
wood veneers or materials to create a feature or design.
J
Jacquard- Woven fabric with intricate patterns created
on a loom.
Japan Drier- A drying agent or solvent used to speed up the
drying time of oil based finishes.
Japanning- A finish imitating oriental lacquer work.
K
Kiln Dried- Lumber dried in a kiln to a specified uniform
moisture content.
Kitchen Cabinet- is a piece of furniture designed to
store pies and other food items.
Kneehole Desk- Desk with a recessed central area for a
person's knees.
Knock Down
Furniture- Unassembled
furniture that a consumer assembles after purchase; also known as RTA
(Ready to Assemble).
Knot- A hard cross grained piece in a board
generally from a branch protrusion; may loosen over time and fall out of
the board.
L
Lacquer- A synthetic, durable fast drying coating used
to finish and protect wood.
Ladderback- A style of chair back with horizontal cross
rails resembling a ladder.
Laminate- Composite material used on counter or table
tops; provides a heat resistant, wipe clean surface.
Linen Press- A cabinet with shelves or shallow drawers
behind doors designed to store sheets, tablecloths, napkins, textiles and
clothing.
Lingerie
Chest- Tall narrow
chest designed to store women's undergarments.
Loper- A pullout arm or slide that provides support
for a fall front desk or hinged table leaf.
Loveseat- A small version of a couch designed to seat
two persons.
Lowboy- A low table or chest with cabriole legs; often
used alone or as the base of a Highboy.
M
Maple- Hardwood with a tight grain and blond color
popular in furniture construction.
Marble- A crystalline rock used on various surfaces of
furniture such as table tops or desk tops.
Marquetry- Decorative technique of inlaying veneers to
create a pattern or picture in furniture.
MDF- Medium Density Fiberboard; engineered wood
panel made from wood fibers and adhesive exposed to heat and pressure.
Mission Style- American version of English Arts and Crafts
which emphasizes simplicity.
Miter Joint- A joint that forms a corner with both pieces
usually cut at a 45 degree angle when forming a 90 degree corner.
Modular- Interchangeable upholstered sectional seating
units used to create different seating arrangements.
Molding- Decorative strip covering transitions or used
for ornamentation.
Money Chest- A Small Chest that can fit
in a lap with a felt lining used to keep valuables concealed.
Mortise and
Tenon- Furniture
joint utilizing a projection (tenon) on one piece of wood inserted into a
cavity (mortise) on another to join the pieces together.
N
Nesting
Tables- Multiple
tables graduating in height allowing one to be stored under another;
usually in sets of three.
Night Stand- A low bedside table or small cabinet for use
next to a bed.
O
Occasional
Tables- Generally refers to small tables such as an
end table, coffee table, console or side table.
Ogee- A double curve or S shaped molding or edge
detail.
Opium Bed- A tester bed with side
panels, used for relaxing with a cushion on top of the frame for support.
Highly Decorative with ordinate cravings.
Ottoman- An upholstered low stool or footrest.
Ovolo- Convex molding referred to a quarter-round
molding.
P
Pad Foot- Rounded foot with a thin circular base found
on cabriole legs.
Pedestal Desk- A desk with the top supported by two pedestals
or small cabinets with drawers.
Pedestal
Table- A table
featuring a central pedestal or column support instead of legs.
Pembroke
Table- A
rectangular table with small drop leaves or flaps on each of the longest
sides and drawer in front of the short side.
Pie Crust
Table Top- A round
table with ornamental edging resembling the crimped edge of a pie crust.
Plinth- The squared base or pedestal that supports a
cabinet or piece of furniture instead of legs.
Poplar- A softwood from the Birch family often used as
a secondary wood in furniture construction.
Q
Quarter Sawn- Wood cut from a log which has been quartered
lengthwise sometimes exposing distinctive grain patterns such as tiger
striped oak.
R
Rattan- The stem of a vine like climbing palm used in
the manufacture of wicker and rattan furniture.
Reeding- Carved parallel convex or beaded lines used on
bed posts, table and chair legs.
Reproduction- A replica of an original piece.
RTA- (Ready to Assemble) Finished furniture items
which require assembly by the consumer.
Rule Joint- A joint used between a table top and drop leaf
which leaves no open space between the top and leaf when open.
Runners- Strips of wood on which drawers slide.
Rush Seat- A woven chair seat using twisted stems of
marsh grass known as rush.
S
Saddle Arm- Chair or sofa arm style which looks like a
saddle profile.
Seat Rail- Horizontal support directly under the seat
connecting the front legs with the back of a chair.
Secretaire- French term for a free standing writing desk
with a drop down writing surface with shelves or drawers below; may also
have a bookcase above.
Sectional- Modular seating units used in various
combinations.
Semainier- A narrow but tall chest of drawers with seven
drawers; one for each day of the week.
Serpentine
Front- Horizontal
compound curve used on the front of case pieces or drawers where there is
a center convex section between two concave sections.
Settee- A long seat or bench with a back and arms at
each end to accommodate two or more people.
Shellac- A natural resin refined and dissolved in
alcohol and used as a wood finish or sealer.
Shoe Cabinet- A small chest no more
than 30’’ high with 2 doors and a drawer on top to be used as storage or
as an end-table.
Sideboard- Used in the dining area for serving food or
the storage of silverware and dishes.
Side Chair- A traditional dining chair without arms used
at the sides of a dining table.
Slat Back- The back of a chair which utilizes vertical
slats for the back rest.
Sleeper Sofa- A sofa with a pull out mechanism converting
the sofa into a bed.
Sofa Table- A slender high table placed against the back
of a sofa.
Softwood- Wood or lumber from conifers or evergreen
trees such as pine or fir.
Solid Wood- Generally refers to furniture that is
constructed using solid wood and does not include the use of engineered
wood products.
Spindle Back- A chair back consisting of multiple turnings
or spindles stretching between the seat and top rail.
Steam Bent- Wood for furniture components that are bent
using steam such as a chair back.
Stretchers- The horizontal braces which connect and
reinforce the vertical elements together such as chair or table legs.
Swatch- A sample of upholstery fabric.
Swivel Rocker- A rocking chair that also revolves.
T
Tambour- Flexible sliding doors or pull down front for
a roll top desk; constructed from narrow pieces of wood glued to a fabric
such as canvas.
Tapestry- Fabric with a woven pattern or decorative
pictorial design.
Teak- Tropical hardwood popular for ship building
and outdoor furniture construction.
Tempered
Glass- Glass
treated with heat during manufacture which breaks into pebble like pieces
instead of shards or sliverso often used for glass table tops.
Tenon- A projection at the end of a piece of wood
which fits into a mortise to join the pieces together.
Trestle Table- Table supported by uprights at the ends with a
stretcher between them.
Trundle Bed- A low pull out bed on wheels stored below
another bed.
Trim- A decorative molding used on case goods.
Tweed-
A medium to heavy woolen fabric which may feature a design such as
herringbone or houndstooth.
Twill- A fabric woven with a diagonal pattern or ribs.
U
Upholstery- The covering including padding, springs,
webbing, foam and fabric on furniture.
V
Vacuum Press- Use to apply pressure when veneering or gluing
together uneven or odd shaped furniture parts.
Varnish- A solvent based transparent film finish used
to coat furniture.
Veneer- A thin slice or slices of decorative or exotic
wood glued to an inferior wood to create panels, doors and cabinet sides.
W
Walnut- A medium to dark hardwood used for furniture
construction and veneering.
Webbing- Strips of elastic or woven fabric used to
provide support for upholstered arms, backs and seats.
weddingchest-chestforstorage ofclothing(trousseau)and householdgoodsinanticipationof marriage
Wicker- Term given to furnishings woven from willow,
reed and rattan.
Windsor Chair- A wooden chair with a bentwood curved top and
spindle back pegged into a solid, shaped seat.
Wing Back- High back upholstered chair with wing like
protrusions extending above the arms from the sides near the top of the
chair.
XYZ
Zig-Zag
Spring- A sinuous or
S shaped upholstery spring used in chair, ottoman and sofa seats. |
