Glossary Of Terms

Glossary of Terms:

A.

ARMOIRE: A tall cabinet or wardrobe with doors and shelves. In recent times armoires have been adapted to accommodate a television or entertainment unit.

ADIRONDACK: Rustic, handmade, wooden furniture originating from the Adirondack Mountain region. Most popular is the Adirondack Chair, which has a contoured seat and curved, supporting back. Rocking chairs, tables, beds and home accents are also made.

APOTHECARY CHEST: Traditionally a low chest with many small drawers. Drawers were originally used to store herbs for medicinal and cooking purposes.

B.

BACHELOR'S CHEST: 18th century small, low chest.

BAFFLING: Cloth panels or strips sewn into down comforters.

BAROQUE: A highly ornate European design style of the early 1700s.

BEDDING- used to describe an entire ensemble including sheets, pillows, comforters and accessories

BEDSKIRT: Pleated or ruffled fabric that encircles the base of a bed below the mattress or box spring to the floor.

BOMBE: A French term for commodes, bureaus, armoires.

BUREAU: Chest of drawers commonly used to store clothing or as a desk.

C.

CABINET: A glass fronted cabinet intended for the display of objects and art.

CALIFORNIA KING: Most commonly available on the west coast of the U.S., this mattress is slightly narrower and longer than a standard king size.

CANOPY: A fabric covering typically attached to a frame above the bed.

CHINTZ: Glazed cotton fabric mainly used for draperies and cushion covers. Commonly printed with figurative and large floral designs and used in country or casual rooms.

COLONIAL: Relating to a style of architecture or furniture common in the American colonies prior to, and during the Revolution.

COMBED COTTON: Combing removes shorter fibers leaving the longer, desirable fibers to create a stronger, smoother yarn.

COMFORTER: Quilted bed covering that is often reversible and is filled with a variety of fibers including polyester or down. OR A bed covering that requires a duvet cover.

CONTEMPORARY: Style with clean lines, simple contours, and bold colors as primary features

COUNTRY: Sunny, casual and homey style often featuring checks and florals, homemade accents and soft furniture of pine and oak

COVERLET- a general term describing a bed covering, includes, comforter, duvets, quilts, bedspread and blanket.

CREDENZA: Typically a sideboard or bookcase without legs. Also refers to a type of office furniture.

CROWN CANOPY: Long drapes flow from a shaped, valanced top section at the head of the bed.

D.

DAYBED: A couch or sofa that can also serve as a bed.

DISTRESSED WOOD: Method where objects are intentionally dented or marred to create an antique or rustic appearance.

DOWN: The soft, light clusters found under the feathers of birds. The down used in bedding typically comes from geese or ducks.

DRESSER: Chest of drawers used to store clothes. Often supports a mirror.

DUVET: Generally refers to a comforter with a duvet cover.

DUVET COVER: Protects a comforter by fully covering/enclosing it.

E.

ECLECTIC: Personalized decorating style that combines furniture and accessories of various styles, textures, origins, and periods.

EGYPTIAN COTTON: Fine, extra-long staple fiber that has a high luster and soft feel.

F.

FUTON: A thin mattress that is placed on a movable frame that can be converted from couch to bed.

H.

HASSOCK: A thick cushion used as a footstool or for kneeling and is often large enough to be used for seating.

HARDSIDE WATERBED: Also known as a rigid-frame waterbed. This traditional style consists of a wooden frame fully supporting the mattress.

HIGHBOY: Tall chest of drawers often divided into two sections.

HUTCH: Enclosed cupboard with drawers for storage and open shelves on top.

I.

INLAY: Decorative patterns created using exotic woods or other materials and set into the surface of wood furniture.

INNERSPRING: Refers to a mattress that incorporates numerous coiled springs, foam and fibers to create a supportive, comfortable, and durable mattress.

L.

LACQUER: A hard varnish applied in several layers as a protective coating.

LOVE SEAT: Small sofa that seats two people.

LOWBOY: A low table-like chest of drawers commonly on short legs.

M.

MARQUETRY: Decorative patterns made of inlays, usually veneered to another surface.

MODERN: Clean and streamlined style of the 20th century.

MODULAR: Units of furniture designed with standardized dimensions to enable stacking or rearrangement into different configurations.

MOTIF: A decorative theme, element or component that is often prevailing or repeated.

O.

OCCASIONAL TABLE: General term referring to small pieces of furniture such as end- or coffee tables.

OTTOMAN: An upholstered low seat or cushioned footstool.

P.

PARQUETRY: Inlay of wood, often of multiple colors and of a geometrical design similar to parquet floors.

PENCIL-POST BED: A bed with four narrow posts rising six to eight feet in height. Generally features a simple design and is either with or without a canopy.

PERCALE: Cotton or cotton-blend sheeting with a thread count of 180 or higher.

PIER GLASS: A tall mirror placed between two windows, or a large, window-height mirror positioned above a table.

PIMA COTTON: U.S. grown, fine, strong, extra-long staple fiber.

PLATFORM BED: Bed consisting of a mattress on a solid platform that is raised by legs or framing.

Q.

QUILT: Coverlet which is made from pieces of fabric sewn together with decorative cross-stitching.

R.

REPRODUCTION: New furniture or item that is a copy of an antique.

RESTORATIONS: Antiques or collectibles that have been brought back to their original condition.

RICE CARVED POSTERS: Tall, heavy bedposts featuring carved designs of rice or tobacco plants.

RING CANOPY: Rings from above the four corners of the bed suspend long flowing drapes.

RUSTIC: Simple style that is typical of country life.

S.

SATEEN: Lustrous, smooth and durable fabric that resembles satin.

SETTEE: A long wooden bench with a back and arms seating two or more people. Also refers to a small or medium-sized sofa.

SETTLE: A long wooden bench with high back and solid arms. Commonly features drawers or a hinged seat covering a storage space.

SHAM: Decorative cover for a pillow.

SHELF CANOPY: Bed-width valance partially extends above the head of the bed in a shelf-like fashion.

SILK: Luxurious and strong fabric that is cool in summer and warm in winter.

SLEEP SET: A complete sleep set consists of a mattress and foundation.

SLEIGH BED: Bed frame featuring a high, scrolled headboard and footboard resembling the front of a sleigh.

SOFTSIDE WATERBED: Looks very similar to a conventional mattress and foundation set, although it still provides the benefits of a waterbed.

STANDARD KING: Regular king size mattress.

SWAGGED CANOPY: Fabric is centered over the head of the bed in a swaged fashion.

T.

TESTER: The wooden framework, above a poster bed, which supports the canopy or draperies.

THREAD COUNT: Refers to the number of threads in one square inch of fabric.

TRADITIONAL: Classic, elegant and formal style.

TRANSITIONAL: Type of design style that blends influences from various style categories.

TRUNDLE BED: Typically a low bed on casters that can be easily rolled under another bed for storage.

V.

VENEER: A thin layer of wood permanently bonded to a thicker core.

VITRINE: Glass-paneled cabinet or case for displaying china, collectables, and the like.

WARDROBE: Tall, upright cabinet with a door or doors.