Furniture Terms
Following is a list of various furniture terms to assist you with recognizing different items or characteristics of furniture:
Armoire A large cabinet or wardrobe, with two doors and shelves on the interior for storing clothes or electronic equipment. Banding Inlay or marquetry that produces a color or grain contrasting with the surface it decorates. Bombe` (French) An outward swelling. Applies to commodes, bureaus, and armoires. Bowfront A cabinet front that curves outward to appear convex. Break Front A bookcase or china cabinet mad eof three vertical sections, the center one projecting forward beyond the two sections. Buffet A small cupboard. The French definition of the word is "a small sideboard", a place for keeping dishes. Bun Foot A flattened ball, or bun shaped foot. Bureau In America, the name refers to a bedroom storage piece commonly known as a "dresser." The French word, however, originally designated the red cloth covering for a writing desk and later was used to refer to the desk itself. Cabriole A graceful, curving type of leg that swells outward at the knee and inward at the ankle. Camelback A curved sofa back characterized by a large central hump. Case Goods Specifically, storage pieces made primarily of wood. More generally, refers to entire collections of wood bedroom and dining room furniture, including some pieces that are not storage, such as headboards and dining tables. Couch A 17th and 18th century term for daybed. Not used as a term for sofa until recent times. Credenza A sideboard or buffet Dowel Headless pin, usually made of wood, used in furniture construction. Eight-way, hand tied springs Each coil spring is hand tied into place with twine, interlocking it with other coils. Using a set of knots, the coils are tied front to back, side to side and diagonally across. Etagere A set of open shelves for displaying small objects and sometimes having an enclosed cabinet as a base. Gate-leg Table A table with a folding leaf upheld by a leg that swings out like a gate. Popular in Colonial America. Highboy A high chest of drawers, deriving it's name from haut bois, which in French means "high wood." K D "Knocked Down." Term applies to furniture un-assembled or only partially assembled. Motion Upholstery An upholstered piece with reclining or inclining seating features. Occasional A term applied loosely to any small tables, such as coffee tables, lamp tables and consoles. Patina A surface texture produced by age, wear or rubbing. RTA "Ready to assemble." Term applied to furniture sold un-assembled or only partially assembled. Secretary A drop front desk, often with book shelves above and drawers below. Settee A long seat or bench with a high back and often with arms. Sideboard A dining room piece with a long flat top for serving and usually equipped with drawers or cabinets for storing china. Trundle Bed A low bed, which, during the daytime, is rolled under a larger bed. Veneer Thin sheets of wood applied to the surface of furniture for a decorative effect. Windsor Chair A chair with a wooden or rush seat, pegged legs, and a back of turned spindles. Wing Chair An upholstered chair with a high back, stuffed arms and wing-shaped projectors at head level. As you will see from all of the information provided above, there is a lot to know about furniture and there are many aspects to furniture including style, construction, durability, comfort, function and materials used.
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