Glossary

-A-

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.

Aniline Dying - The process of coloring leather using non-toxic aniline dyes. Aniline dye has no pigment, which allows for the natural signatures of leather to shine through.

Antiquing - A method of aging the appearance of a hide that is usually done by hand for making a strong type of leather.

Apron - part connecting legs; directly under table tops, chair seats, cabinet bases. Also called "skirt."

Armoire - A large moveable cabinet with doors most often used for the storage of clothing or linens or to house entertainment equipment. Armoires may be fitted with drawers, shelves and/or hanging rods
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Art Deco - Decorative style from the early 20th century characterized by geometric designs, bold colors, and the use of plastic and glass.

Arts & Crafts - A design style originating in the mid-1800s by William Morris to offset the clutter and ornate designs of the Victorian styles. Its purpose was to show a simple handcrafted artist's touch to furniture design. The popular Mission furniture is a variation of this design. - small scale chest with drawers or doors.

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-B-

Bachelor's Chest - small scale chest with drawers or doors.

Bail - reverse arch handle or drawer pull hanging downward from pins attached to a backplate.

Ball and Claw Foot - The base of a leg is carved to resemble a talon grasping a ball.

Bamboo Turning - a wood turning to simulate natural bamboo that originated during the 18th Century.

Banding - Inlay or Marquetry that produces a color or grain contrast along the perimeter of a surface.

Bating - Process usually preformed at the same time as deliming, used to impart softness, stretch, and flexibility to the leather.

Beading - classic ornamentation using small, half-round molding.

Beech - Lasting hardwood with light grain patterns. This wood is perfect for stained and painted finishes.

Beidermeier - A relatively inexpensive, clean lined 19th Century German style of furniture reminiscent of the much more expensive Empire design that utilized light woods and black or gold painted decorations. Popular decorations were wreaths, festoons and stars that were painted rather than carved on the furniture.

Bentwood - wood softened by steam for bending into curved shapes.

Bergére - A French (Louis XIV and XV) occasional armchair with upholstered back, sides and seat cushion.

Beveled glass - Glass are characterized by 1/4 inch-thick 'bevel' around the edges of the glass sheet, creating a beautiful soft edge that catches the light.

Birch - Durable close-grained hardwood.

Bleaching - A technique to lighten the overall color of a wood.

Block Foot - Square vertical Foot at the base of any straight, untapered leg.

Bombé - a surface that swells outward; typical of French chests and commodes of Louis XV. Shape style often used in Louis XV pieces. Bomb table have bulging body on top that bends inward towards the bottom.

Bonnet Top - An arched pediment that covers the entire top of a case piece.

Book Matching - Two adjacent sheets of veneer are opened like a book and glued side by side to produce a symmetrical pattern.

Boston Rocker - 19th Century rocking chair featuring a curved seat, spindle back and a wide top rail.

Bouile - a French cabinetmaker who developed a special inlay technique called Boulle Work, utilizing tortoise shell, silver, brass or pewter. A sheet of metal and a sheet of tortoise were glued together, and a design was cut out of both at the same time. The cut-out piece of one material was then reinserted into a corresponding opening in the other material.

Bow back - A type of 18th century Windsor chair.

Bracket Foot - A decorative and functional square leg with diagonal piece behind it for stability used in both upholstery and case goods.

Breakfront - A cabinet made of a protruding center section flanked by to two sidepieces that are recessed.

Breathability - How the leather adjusts to the temperature and wicks away moisture. A characteristic of full grain leather.

Brocade - A fabric featuring textured patterns woven in contrast.

Broken Pediment - Ornamental design usually found on the top of case pieces or headboards, consisting of a broken triangular design with a finial in the middle.

Buffet - French term that refers to a sideboard for china, silver, linens, with a top surface used as serving counter.

Buffing - The treatment of leather using sand paper to create appearances such as nubuck, or to eliminate unsightly imperfections and correct the grain. The effect is a more consistent, albeit synthetic, finish.

Bullion - Long corded fringe used in Upholstery or Window Treatments.

Bun Foot - a foot that resembles a slightly flattened ball.

Bunching - Furniture pieces that fit flush with each other to create unified wall arrangements.

Bunn Foot - A rounded leg with a flat bottom used in upholstery or case goods.

Bureau - low chest of drawers usually for a bedroom, often with a mirror, originally a desk or table with drawers.

Burl - beautiful mottled veneer, produced by slicing cross-sections of abnormal tree growths.

Butt Joint - Wood joined together at flat edges.

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Cabinet Wood - fine quality wood that is used for exterior surfaces.

Cabriole - A leg shape of Queen Anne and Chippendale tables that bends outward on top, and tapers as it goes downward into an ornamental foot.

Camel Back - A sofa characterized by a large central hump used by Hepplewhite and Chippendale, usually found in more traditional sofas.

Campaign Chair - from British chairs used by officers, a sling seat supported by a collapsible scissor structure.

Campaign Chest - from originals used on fields of battle, a fairly low, small chest with metal corners and flush hardware.

Cane - Split Rattan, often used to cover chair seats. Straight wooden stick that is often used in occasional table designs with spilt rattan.

Canted - a piece with an oblique surface, slanting backward at the sides from the central section.

Casegoods - non-upholstered furniture such as tables, dressers and bookcases.

Casting - A process in which metal is melted to be molded in a specific shape.

Casual Style - These tables are usually displayed in a comfortable, warm, relaxing, homey part of the house. Overall, they have simple design, textured elements, soft details, and restful horizontal lines.

Chaise - An elongated chair for stretching out (like having an ottoman attached to a chair).

Channeling - a grooved or furrowed effect.

Chenille - A textured fabric featuring an evenly cut plush pile of softly woven loops.

Chesser - Combination of a dresser and a chest; narrower than a dresser and shorter than chest that can normally utilize a tilt or small mirror.

Chest - A tall, narrow piece featuring a series of drawers for clothing storage.

Chesterfield - A smaller type of sofa with the low arms and back at the same level.

Chest-on-Chest - Tall, narrow piece of furniture featuring an upper level of drawers stacked on top of a lower level of wider drawers.

Cheval Mirror - free-standing mirror swung between footed posts.

Chiffonier - a tall very narrow chest of drawers (Lingerie Chest).

Chintz - a printed cotton fabric with a glazed, high sheen.

Chippendale - Wooden furniture featuring fretwork created by Thomas Chippendale in the 18th century; this is characterized by flowing lines and often rococo ornamentation.

Chrome Tannage - A one bath tanning process with leather using mostly chromium salts. It creates softer and more pliable leather with a higher thermal stability.

Claw-and-Ball Foot - a bird or dragon claw grasping a ball.

Club Foot - a flat, round pad, usually at the bottom of a cabriole leg; also known as a spoon or pad foot.

Cocktail Table - a short-legged table usually positioned in front of a sofa or within an arrangement of chairs and a sofa or loveseat.

Coffee table - A coffee table is a low table that sits in front of a sofa. Usually wide in shape, this table is used to serve drinks. Magazines or books are often displayed on top.

Colonial - Early American furniture design many times featuring wings and exposed wood on upholstered pieces.

Combination Tannage - Leathers tanned with chrome and vegetable tanning agents, resulting in both softness and body in the hides.

Commode - a low, small chest, usually with drawers or doors.

Console table - Also called a 'sofa table', this is a long, thin and tall table often located on the side of a sofa or against a wall. This table is used for storage and display of decorative items.

Contemporary style - This is not quite "traditional," not quite "casual." This style tends to have straight, clean lines and edges, open curvature, and very little carvings or decorative touches.

Corestock (or Core) - the center layer of a veneered wood.

Corrected Grain - When the surface of the hide is sanded or buffed to minimize flaws, then pigmented and embossed with a new grain. A type of leather.

Cottage Furniture - A type of casual furniture that is characterized by painted and/or decorated pieces, turned legs and simple forms.

Country - These tables are casual and unpretentious. They will combine simplicity and traditional designs. Almost exclusively light and warm colored woods, this can be thought of having "rustic class".

Credenza - in the home office, a long piece used behind the desk with a knee hole space; often used for a computer and monitor.

Crest Rail/Top Rail - The top horizontal rail of an upholstered piece; can be very detailed.

Crocking - The result of poorly dyed leather, in which color begins to rub off of the furniture.

Crossband - layer of wood between the core and the face ply of a veneer. Its grain is at right angles to the grain of the face ply in order to strengthen the veneer.

Curio - Case piece featuring glassed in shelves and doors for displaying collectibles.

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-D-

Damask - A fabric featuring woven characters against a flat background in the same color.

Deck - the surface directly under the cushions of an upholstered chair or sofa.

Demilune - Half-moon tables that are perfect to put against the wall. They usually come with matching mirrors that are perfect for your living room or hallway.

Dentil Molding - Decorative molding found in more traditional designs consisting of blocks and spaces resembling teeth.

Dhurrie Rug - Flat woven wool or cotton rug featuring beautiful designs.

Dinette - More casual dining pieces, many times used for the Kitchen.

Dining Room - A formal room dedicated to the serving of meals.

Director's Chair - named for its long use by Hollywood directors, a folding armchair with sling seat and back.

Distressed - A furniture detail where wood pieces are purposely dented, scuffed or otherwise marked to render an antique or rustic appearance.

Distressing - a treatment sometimes called antiquing, designed to make new woods look old by means of markings. An aged wood finish created by scratches, dents and wear.

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.

Dowel - A type of joint where round wooden pegs are inserted into into wood parts for added strength.

Down - Feathers from ducks or geese used in furniture as fill for upholstery cushions or mattresses.

Drape - the way a fabric hangs; this influences its ability to shape well, particularly in an upholstery skirt.

Drawer Guide - strip of wood, plastic or metal under a drawer that serves as a guiding track for opening and closing.

Dresser - from the French term, dressoir, originally a table used to dress meats that evolved into a cupboard for utensils and dishes. in the United States , the word describes a chest of drawers with a mirror. A case piece that is usually long and low enough to utilize a mirror featuring a multitude of drawers for clothing storage.

Drop Leaf - A table top that has leaves that can raised or lowered down as needed.

Dry Sink - a low, Early American two-door cupboard with a sink or with an open top lined with zinc or copper.

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Eclectic - A design style featuring a mix of styles, periods and patterns creating a very unique and individualistic look to a room.

Egg-and-Dart - a classic carving motif of ornamental molding in which an egg shape alternates with a dart.

Eight-way Hand Tied - Used traditionally in upholstered furniture, each spring is tied in eight directions by hand both securing the springs inside the 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 - This style of furniture is Neo-Classical and simple in design usually utilizes Egyptian motifs and wood inlays.

End Matching - Two adjacent pieces of veneer are joined end to end to form a continuous pattern.

End tables - Usually bought in pairs, they accent the style of the coffee table or other furniture. Usually placed at the end of the sofa, it is a very important piece of a living room set.

Enhanced Grain - The process of creating a uniform grain pattern by altering the natural texture of leather.

Entertainment Center - A large case piece featuring pocket or wide-opening doors with adjustable shelving to house Entertainment equipment such as TVs and stereo components.

Ergonomic - a 90's term that relates furniture design and function to the human form; very commonly found in Home Office furnishings.

Escutcheon - The shield around the outside of a keyhole on a piece of furniture.

Etagére - from the French, a series of open shelves for displaying books or objects.

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Fancy-faced Veneers - Veneers cut in an exotic pattern usually used in more visible areas of wooden furniture (e.g. door fronts, table tops).

Fiberboard - A board made of compressed wood fibers and glue, used in place of solid wood to effectively reduce costs of production.

Fiddle back - A chair designed with the splat resembling a violin's shape.

Figure - the pattern or design in wood created by the growth of the tree; abnormal growths produce unusual figures.

Filling - The step in the finishing process where the back filling of natural pores found in wood allows the surface to become smoother, flatter and more reflective.

Finger Joint - also called "box combing", this is a technique to join two specifically cut pieces. Each piece has “fingers” matching the other one to perfectly fit into each other.

Finial - A turned or carved piece at the top of a post or the piece that holds the shade to the harp of a lamp.

Flitch - any part of the log which is sliced into veneer.

Fluting - A series of carved out semi-circular grooves usually found on columns, molding or wooden legs.

Four Poster - A colonial bed with four posts extending upward that may or may not hold a canopy.

Fretwork - Ornamental and decorative three-dimensional wood accent.

Full Aniline - An aniline dyed and finished hide will have no color adjustment and all natural markings will be visible. A leather term.

Full Top Grain - Premium leather that has been aniline-dyed but otherwise unaltered. The natural markings that remain provide the unique appeal of leather.

Futon - A wooden sofa frame featuring a large single cushion where the frame and cushion can be unfolded to use as a bed.

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-G-

Gesso - a plaster-like material used to make a raised design on furniture; it is often painted or gilded.

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.

Global/Exotic style - This style is inspired by the materials and design of tropical or far-away places. These pieces are typically non-western and non-traditional in design.

GooseNeck Arm - An occasional or dining chair with a curved wooden arm resembling that of a gooseneck.

Grain - The natural markings in wood caused by growth rings; the grain of each wood species is specific to that species.

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Hand - the touch or feel of a fabric, as in "the soft hand of glove leather". The way a fabric feels, refers to its resilience, drapability and flexibility.

Hand-Antiqued - The application by hand of a darker color over a lighter color in order to create a unique aged effect.

Hardwood - Durable wood of trees that replace their leaves every year.

Headboard - The back portion or head of a bed, can be used by itself with a metal bed frame or with rails and a footboard for a complete bed.

Hepplewhite - An 18th century French design featuring detailed chair backs in shield, heart or wheel cutwork shapes and case pieces often featuring oval panel inlays.

Highboy - Large case piece up on legs, usually found in traditional styles of furniture, consisting of a series of full and smaller drawers.

Highlighting - A color-removal technique done in the finishing process to highlight natural grain characteristics.

Hutch - A cabinet with doors or open shelving, usually on legs, used to store and/or display dinnerware.

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-I-

Imbrications - Ornaments which take the form of fishes' scales or the segmented edge of tiles that overlap.

Inlay - a design is cut out of the surface and a piece of another material cut exactly the same size is inserted. A design of contrasting woods, ivory, or other materials, set into a surface. Decorative technique that consists of implanting wood, metal, stones, leather, or other materials into a piece of furniture or veneer.

Intaglio - A design or illustration made by cutting into the surface of the material.

Intarsia - An Italian type of decoration, similar to marquetry where a design is sunk into an entire surface.

Ionic - Designating or of a Greek style of architecture characterized by ornamental scrolls on the capitals.

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-J-

Jacobean - More common 17th century English design featuring ornate cutwork and carving, especially as a turned rope found on legs and armrests.

Japanning - A version of Oriental lacquering often substituting paint for the layers of varnish.

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KD - "Knocked Down" - Term applied to furniture that must be assembled upon delivery.

Kiln-dried Hardwood - Specially treated hardwood to reduce the moisture found in the lumber, thereby ensuring that the frame will not crack, split or warp.

Knot - Knot shapes are carved on wood to bring extra ornament and style, or can be a natural darker area in the grain of the wood.

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Lacquer - A clear, protective substance applied as a topcoat to furnishings.

Ladder Back - back posts joined by horizontal cross-rails in ladder effect. Also called Slat Back.

Laminate - The binding of a thin piece of material (wood, melamine, etc) to another material.

Lamp table - Similar to an end table, lamp tables are small and short, and are often round. These are perfect for holding lamp.

Lattice - Carved, crisscross cutout wood pattern found in a variety of furniture pieces.

Leather - Hide of an animal used in home furnishings a variety of ways.

Leather Match - An alternative to 100% leather, combines top-grain leather seating with skillfully matched vinyl on the sides and back of the furniture.

Lectus - A daybed or reclining sofa with Roman influences.

Lifestyle - A relatively new term to the industry that describes an "individual expression of life"; tends to be casual in nature and simple in design.

Linenfold - a carved motif that looks like a scroll of linen.

Louis XV and XVI - Extremely refined designs inspired from French period of the 18th century, typically utilizing rich fabrics and an abundance of carving and gilding.

Loveseat - Small sofa designed to accommodate 2 people.

Low Relief - a form of decoration in which the design is only slightly raised from the surface.

Lyre Back - Chairs whose splats resemble a harp.

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Machine-Antiqued - The application by machine of a darker color over a lighter color in order to create a dramatic and creative appeal.

Mahogany - Durable tropical wood with handsome grain in a reddish color.

Manchette - A small upholstered patch or cushion on an armrest.

Man-Made fibers - this term refers to all synthetic fibers.

Maple - A hard, heavy, and light-colored natural grain wood.

Marquet - Beautiful pattern displayed by inlays of a material (contrast wood, metal, or ivory) into the veneer of wood.

Matte - In contrast to shiny or glossy looks, matte finish displays rough and warm surfaces.

MDF - Medium density fiber board - a man-made material used as a durable alternative to wood.

Microfiber - A very popular leather alternative consisting of ultra-fine manufactured fibers that are easier to clean and maintain than genuine leather or suede. It is finer than cotton and even silk, and offers superior hand and softness.

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. Design philosphy developed in early American furniture-making. A very simple design featuring stripes of wood, mission and shaker furniture and is built on concepts of order, utility and durability.

Modern Style - Clean lines, art, industrial elements and bold color characterize these tables. This style is known for its underlying simplicity of line, shape, form, and attention to practical functions.

Modernist - Clean lined contemporary design of the 20th century utilizing freedom of form and without ornamentation.

Modulars or Modular System - a collection of multi-purpose units.

Moiré - A fabric featuring a swirled pattern that resembles water patterns on silk.

Molded Components - sections of furniture such as decorative panels or legs that have been molded of plastic.

Molding or Moulding - a narrow, decorative strip, recessed into or projecting from, a flat 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.

Motive or Motif - the theme or dominant feature of a design.

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-N-

Natural Fibers - all fibers that occur in fiber form in nature.

Natural Finish - This finish utilizes the original, light color of the wood as a finish.

Nest of Tables - Tables of varying sizes stored one under the other.

Nesting Tables - set of occasional tables, in graduating sizes so that one slides under another.

Novelty style - This style table concerns original pieces that make a statement or adhere to an overall theme.

Nubuck - Top grain aniline leather that has had the upper layer removed via buffing or sanding, to create a nap effect. Due to the lack of a protective top layer, nubuck is prone to stains and requires more care than other leathers.

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-O-

Oak wood - Durable wood of any of numerous deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs of the genus Quercus, bearing acorns as fruit.

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 case good pieces, the double-curved leg wraps around two sides of the piece.

Ottoman - A armless low upholstered seat that can also serve as a table.

Overlay - A decorative trim piece of a material applied to a flat surface of wood. Decorative layer on surface of a table. Decorative veneer that is appliqued rather than inlaid.

Oxbow - The opposite of a serpentine curve, somewhat resembling the curve of an oxbow, used on the fronts of case pieces.

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-P-

Paint finish - This implies the use of a decorative color to finish a table. Paints can range from simple monochrome to very complex multi color paintings.

Parquet - Geometric wood patterns put together in a decorative veneer to accent a accent a furniture.

Patina - soft, mellow color and texture of a wood surface resulting from age, wear or rubbing. A fine coating on any metal surface, the result of age and use.

Pedestal Table - top supported by one or more heavy, wide-based columns.

Pediment - Ornamental, typically triangular, crown on the top of a case good or bed.

Pie Crust Table - a small table with carved or molded scalloped edges.

Pigment Finish - With leather it is the coloring of a hide with opaque pigments. Colored hides are more uniform and fade-resistant.

Pile - a fabric with a surface of upright ends, cut or looped, like velvet.

Pine - A soft, durable wood that is light in color with a straight, medium coarse grain; ideal for distressed and rustic, decorative finishes.

Pineapple - A carving used in 19th century furniture as a symbol of hospitality.

Plating - With leather it is a smooth, glossy finish created by pressing stainless steel plates into the hide with varying degrees of heat and pressure.

Plinth - "To the floor" squared off base of a piece of furniture.

Plywood - Layers of wood products attached in a cross grain method (1st layer grain is east to west, 2nd layer north to south, 3rd layer east to west and so forth) to assist in preventing the contraction and swelling of wood surfaces due to the rise and fall of humidity in the air.

Polyurethane - A synthetic material used as cushion material in upholstered furniture, available in varying degrees of density and softness.

Protected Aniline - Aniline dyed leather which has been pigmented to ensure color consistency and stain resistance.

Pure Aniline - Leather which receives its color from aniline dyes with no topical applications, such that natural signatures of leather are visible.

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-Q-

Quatrefoil - An ornamental figure divided into four foils, leaves or lobes.

Queen Anne - 18th century style featuring simple designs and soft shapes, typically made of cherry or mahogany and more formal in nature.

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-R-

Rail - The horizontal piece of support or design (e.g. base rail of a sofa).

Rake - The angle or slant of a non-vertical leg.

Reclining Chair - An upholstered chair or rocker that reclines back.

Reeding - close, parallel rows of convex moldings. The opposite of fluting.

Refectory Table - Short table with extension leaves stored underneath and pulled out from the ends.

Ribband-back - A chair with back splats resembling an entwined ribbon.

Rococo - A style noted for ornate, asymmetrical designs with interpretations of the shell and running water carvings utilized by Louis XIV and XV periods.

Roll-top Desk - Desk where the writing table and compartments are enclosed by a curved slatted panel.

Rush Seat - A seat woven with a series of rushes.

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Sauvage - A two-tone or marbled effect that adds depth and character to the leather. It may be created through tumbling, printing or painting the hide.

Scalloped - A curved ornamentation, many times in the shape of the scallop shell.

Scroll - spiral-shaped ornamentation.

Secretary - A tall case pieces with drawers on the bottom, a drop down writing desk in the middle and, possible, small compartments or a cabinet on the top.

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.

Serpentine Front - chest, dresser, etc., with undulating front surfaces.
Settee - the forerunner of today's sofa, a long seat with side arms and back, sometimes upholstered.

Shaker - A simple, clean line design created by members of the Shaker religious group. Free from any ornamentation, the true beauty of this style is that it is virtually devoid of style and created with function in mind rather than beauty.

Sheaf-back Chairs - 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.

Sheraton - Straight lines and smoothly elegant proportions are characteristics of this design style.

Shoji Screens - Standing Oriental screens, many times used as room dividers.

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 a "S" coils and "Zigzag wire" the Zigzag wire attaches to the front and back rails of the upholstered piece seat area or top and bottom rails of the upholstered piece back and are used in place of actual coil spring units.

Sisal - A natural and durable fiber often used in rugs.

Skirt - The piece of fabric that is applied to the bottom edge of an upholstered pieces, hiding the legs; the three most popular are Gathered skirts used in Country styles, Dressmaker skirts used in more formal applications and Waterfall skirts for more casual or transitional styles.

Slat Back - Chair designed with flat vertical pieces of wood as the back.

Slip Match - Produced by slipping sheets of veneer into a side-by-side position to form specific patterns, such as diamond, reverse diamond (or sun burst), herringbone, checkerboard, etc.

Slip Seat - A dining chair whose seat is easily removable in order to change the upholstery.

Slub - a thick, uneven nub in yarn for a textured effect.

Sofa table - A sofa table is very similar to a console table. It is designed to stand against a sofa. They are perfect to display flowers, decorative items and lamps.

Softwoods - Lower density wood than hardwoods. Usually used for more decorative purposes or economic alternatives. A general term for the wood of trees that remain green all year.

Spade Foot - rectangular, tapered Foot separated from the rest of the leg by a slight projection.

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.

Spring Down - A type of cushion constructed of coil springs wrapped in polyurethane and covered with down batting.

Stacking Furniture - pieces designed so they work together and can be super-imposed on each other for unified wall systems.

Staining - The step in the finishing process that applies color to a piece of furniture while allowing the 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.

StriZ - a streaked or striped effect produced with yarns of varying tones.

Swivel Chair - A chair that revolves on a stationary platform or on legs.

Synthetic Fibers - manufactured fibers resulting from chemical synthesis.

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Tapered Leg - A leg that gets incrementally smaller towards the bottom.

Tapestry - Decorative fabric that features pictures or intricate designs, often similar to large wall hangings made for castles.

T-Cushion - A "T" shaped cushion designed to fit around the arm of the upholstered piece of furniture.

Teak - Durable tropical hardwood.

Tempered glass - Made to last because it is stronger than regular glass. tempered glass, when broken, is shattered into many small manageable fragments as opposed to large shards.

Tester - A canopy over a bed; a Tested bed is a bed with high posts that will allow the use of a canopy.

Texture - the feel and appearance of a surface; also refers to the grain of wood.

Toile - A cotton fabric with designs of country settings, animals, people and other objects are printed on a solid background of one color in another color.

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.

Top Grain - In leather it is when a hide is split into layers, the surface layer is referred to as top grain. Top grain is the most durable part of a hide split due to the strength of the fibers.

Traditional Style - Based on historic design models, this style is characteristically ornate, ordered and bold. Straight lines are often contrasted with curved details, brass, iron, and hand painted wood.

Trestle Table - A braced form supporting the tabletop.

Trompe l'oeil - "Fooling the eye" is the translation of this phrase used to describe decorative painting on walls or furniture pieces that appear to be three dimensional, thus the name.

Trundle Bed - A low bed that can be rolled under a regular bed for storage when not in use.

Turned - The process of removal of wood from a block to form a particular shape; the wood is clamped into something similar to a rotisserie and turned at a high speed while a sanding machine, or lathe, is moved across its surface to shape it.

Turning - an ornamental or structural part of furniture made by rotating a cylindrical piece of wood on a lathe and shaping it with cutting tools.

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Upholstery - Furniture that is covered in fabric, vinyl, leather or other materials.

Uprights - The outer vertical posts of a chair.

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-V-

Varnish - A finish that is meant to protect the wood and provide some darker finish.

Vegetable Tanning - The use of vegetable tannins to convert rawhide into leather. Provides more firmness and a greater body to the leather as opposed to chromium tanning.

Vegetable Tannins - Tannins that are extracted from the wood, bark, and leaves of trees and are used during the Vegetable Tanning process.

Velvet - Soft fabric made of silk, rayon or nylon having a smooth, dense pile and plain underside.

Veneer - This is a thin sheet of wood, usually about 1/22 of an inch, that is then glued onto another surface. The VERY rich hired artisans to make pieces of furniture for them using veneers to make beautiful patterns creating original and unique pieces of art. The common-man was relegated to using solid slabs of wood for furniture.

Victorian - Traditional style of furniture that is also referred to as - Gothic, Victorian Rococo, or Victorian Renaissance.

Vitrine - A glass front china cabinet used to display fine pieces.

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-W-

Wainscoting - The application of wood molding to the middle or lower half of a wall.

Walnut - European hardwood with dark brown color.

Wax - Finish to add protection and finish to enhance the natural appearance of wood.

Webbing - Interwoven strips of material attached to a wooden frame used for support in upholstery in place of the traditional spring system.

Welding - The type of joinery for metal by using heat and flux.

Welt - a strip of fabric, resembling a cord, sewn between two pieces of upholstery fabric to give a more finished appearance to the seam; usually made by covering a cord with a tube of fabric.

Wengea - Walnut like color dark colored wood.

Wet blue - The light blue color that a hide turns as a result of the chrome salts used during the chromium tanning process.

Windsor Chair - a country-style chair with a solid, shaped seat connected to the legs and chair back with round or flat shaped spindles. Where slat back chairs have flat pieces of wood forming the back, this 18th century designed chair has rounded spindles forming the back and attached to the graciously curved top.

Wool - One of the finest fabrics for making woven cloth.

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-X-

X-Chair - This "X" type folding chairs dates back to ancient Roman times.

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-Y-

Yorkshire Chair - An oak chair with turned front legs and stretchers.

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-Z-

Zigzag - Molding or stitching with a series of frequent sharp turns from side to side.

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