Decorating Glossary

a b c d e f g h i j l m n o p r s t u v w

A

Learn how to re-create this inviting lodge bedroom, which uses layers of fabric with Americana prints like plaids and ticking.

acanthus
Ornamentation representing leaves of the acanthus plant.

adaptive reuse
The design trend of turning what was once a public place or dilapidated commercial building into a living space.

alcove
A recessed area in a room.

Americana
Objects that are characteristic of American history or culture.

apron
Trim attached below a tabletop or window sill.

aniline dye
A stain that achieves a rich, yet translucent color.

antique
Art, buildings, furniture, accessories or personal possessions that are over 100 years old.

antique satin
A sateen or horizontal satin drapery fabric with slubs that imitates spun shantung silk.

Get details on this art glass collection.

art glass
Decorative glass--includes stained, beveled, fused, blown, etched, leaded and cut.

Aubusson
A scenic tapestry used for wall hangings and upholstery; named for Aubusson, France.

Austrian shade
Similar to a Roman shade but with soft, billowing folds. More info>>
B

bachelor's chest
A small, low chest that contains three drawers.

Balloon shade

balloon shade
A shade that features a gathered bottom edge when raised. More info>>

baluster
An upright support, as used on a piece of furniture, stair rail or supporting post of a handrail.

banquette
A built-in upholstered bench along a wall, often used in breakfast areas.

barkcloth
A soft and textured fabric that resembles the bark of a tree.

Get instructions on how to make this beautiful batik wall hanging.

batik
Form of hand-printing fabric that orginated in Indonesia; technique involves using wax as a resist to create a negative image. More info>>

batting
Thin layers of natural or synthetic cloth used to line cushions, pillows, quilts or crafts.

bishop’s sleeve
A drapery treatment with side panels of lightweight fabric tied back slightly above the midpoint to form a billowing drape above and a flowing effect below. More info>>

blockfront chest
A chest of drawers with a concave center section.

bobeche
Glass ring placed at the base of a candle to gather wax or dangle crystals.

bolster
A cylindrical stuffed pillow.

bombé
Chest with a bulbous, curving form.

Box pleat

box pleat
A pleat made by forming two folded edges facing into each other. More info>>

breakfront
A large cabinet or bookcase whose center section projects beyond the two end sections.

broadcloth
Dense cotton fabric with a smooth, semi-gloss finish.

brocade
A heavy fabric interwoven with a rich, raised design.

bullion fringe
Long corded fringe used with upholstery or on window treatments.

bun foot
A round ball-shaped foot normally used on a chest, chair or armoire.

burled wood
A hard wood cut from a large rounded growth on a tree characterized by a large swirl and often used as a veneer or inlay.
C

cabriole leg
Table leg that gently curves outward then back toward the base of the leg.

Cafe curtain

cafe curtain
A window treatment that covers the bottom half of a window. More info>>

calico
Cotton or cotton-blend fabric printed with small, colorful patterns.

candle follower
A device that fits onto the top of a candle. As the wax melts the follower keeps the wax from dripping down the side of the candle.

cartouche
An ornamental sheild or decoration often placed above door openings or fireplace mantels.

case goods
A non-upholstery furniture group, such as tables, hutches, dressers and chests, with functional or storage capabilities.

casing
An enclosing frame around a door or window opening.

chaise longue
A long reclining chair.

chenille
A fuzzy yarn that is like velvet when tightly woven.

chifferobe
A combination of a wardrobe and chest-of-drawers.

Learn how to re-create this chinoiserie living room.

chinoiserie
A style in art reflecting Chinese qualities, i.e. fanciful motifs of scenery, human figures, pagodas, intricate lattices and exotic birds and flowers.

chintz
A printed and glazed thin cotton fabric in bright colors. More on chintz and other fabrics>>

Colorwashing is an easy way to update your rooms for spring.

colorwashing
A decorative paint technique in which a base color and glaze(s) are applied to a wall for a muted, "washed" effect. More info>>

combing
A decorative paint technique in which a comb is pulled across wet paint to create a pattern (i.e. basket weave, denim, linen). More info>>

cornice
A decorative box attached directly to the wall or molding above a window opening to conceal curtain fixtures.

coverlet
A bedspread.

credenza
A linear wood chest used for storage or as a sideboard or buffet.

crewel
A loosely twisted wool yarn used in embroidery that results in a raised textural design. Crewelwork was popular in England under King James and came to America with the colonists. Today the floral crewel motifs (based on The Tree of Life) are created from a variety of yarns and materials and grace everything from window valances to pillows to sofas.

curio
A tall cabinet used for displaying collectibles.
D

dado
A decorative treatment on the lower part of an interior wall between the chair rail and baseboard.

damask
A heavy fabric of linen, cotton, silk, or rayon created with flat patterns in a satin weave on a plain-woven background, resembling a tone-on-tone effect. More on damask and other fabrics>>

Learn how to make this decoupage birdhouse, an HGTV.com exclusive from Anna Griffin!

decoupage
The art of decorating surfaces by applying paper cutouts and then coating with several layers of finish (decoupage medium, lacquer or varnish). More info>>

dentil molding
Molding with rectangular tooth-like blocks spaced at equal intervals.

dhurrie rug
A flat woven wool or cotton rug from India.

dormer
A window set vertically in a structure projecting through a sloping roof.

dovetail
Woodworking technique consisting of two interlocking joints; indicative of quality craftsmanship.

dowel
A short wooden or metal peg used to join two pieces of wood or metal by fitting tightly at each end into specially-drilled holes in the two pieces to be joined.

dragging
A decorative paint technique that involves applying a base coat then "dragging" through it with a paintbrush or decorative brush for a subtle, striped effect. More info>>

dupioni
A lustrous silk woven from two different colors of threads so that it shimmers or changes color in the light.

duvet
A thick bed covering made of two layers of cloth that holds a bedspread/comforter.

Learn how to emboss a picture frame.

E

emboss
A raised effect on an object.

ergonomic
An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.

escutcheon
The protective or ornamental plate surrounding a keyhole or behind a drawer pull.

etageré
A piece of furniture with a set of open shelves used for displaying accessories.

eyelet
A small hole in a piece of fabric designed for a cord to be thread through or used for decoration (as in embroidery).
F

feng shui
Literally translated as wind and water, it's an ancient Chinese scientific practice based on selecting or configuring a site, structure or interior so as to harmonize with the spiritual forces that inhabit it. More info>>

fiberboard
A board made of compressed wood fibers and glue.

Get more info about finials here.

finial
A decorative object attached to the ends of a drapery rod or on top of a column or pediment.

flame stitch
A wavy, angular pattern that looks like the shape of a flickering flame, normally found on brocade fabrics.

fluting
A series of carved out semicircular grooves usually found on columns, molding or wooden legs.

foam core
A cardboard-like material with a foam center available in varying thicknesses; commonly used to mount photographs and display materials.

fretwork
An ornamental open or pierced woodcarving on furniture pieces.

frieze
A decorative horizontal band, as along the upper part of a wall, doorway or window.

futon
A Japanese-style mattress set upon a folding frame, which can be used for both seating and a bed.
G

gesso
A paste used to prepare a surface for painting or gilding; mixture of whiting and size (traditionally animal-skin glue).

gimp
An ornamental flat braid or round cord used as a trimming.

gild
Involves appying a thin overlay of gold leaf. More info>>

Goblet pleat

goblet pleat
A pinch-pleated drapery heading filled out with batting or stiff paper. More info>>

grasscloth
A wall covering created from natural reed, jute and arrowroot fibers that was introduced in France in the 18th century.

grommet
An eyelet in a piece of fabric reinforced with two pieces of metal affixed with a specialized tool. More info>>

grosgrain
A strong, close-woven corded fabric usually of silk or rayon.

grout
Thin mortar used for filling spaces (i.e. tile, bricks, etc.).
H

heading
The top edge of a curtain that forms a ruffle when the curtain is on the rod. More info>>
I

inlay
Decorative patterns created with pieces of different types of wood or other materials that have been set into the surface of wood furniture or floors.

Jabot

J

jabot
A pleated or tapered piece of fabric that drapes down on either side of a swag or valance for a decorative effect. More info>>

jacquard
Intricate fabrics such as tapestries, brocades and damasks whose patterns are woven with yarns of different colors.
L

lacquer
A hard, protective high-sheen varnish often applied as a topcoat to furniture.

laminate
Any thin material such as wood or plastic glued to the exterior of a cabinet, countertop or other surface.

lattice
Wood, wrought iron or other material formed into a cross-hatch design.

linoleum
An all-natural flooring material made of linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground limestone and pigments; regarded as environmentally-friendly flooring. More info>>
M

marquetry
Decorative patterns made of inlays, usually applied to veneered surfaces.

mat board
A thick paperboard used to add dimension to framed artwork; available in a wide variety of colors.

matelassé
A heavy, upholstery-weight fabric made in a double-cloth construction to create a quilted surface.

MDF (medium density fiberboard)
A type of board made of wood particles glued together with synthetic resin.

moire
A silk fabric with a distinctive water-marked swirled pattern. More on moire and other fabrics>>

molding
Ornamental wood strips that are applied to and project from a surface.

mullion
Wood trim that sets off smaller panes of glass in a window.
N

nap
A fabric with a texture or design that runs on one direction such as corduroy and velvet.

niche
A display shelf, seating area, etc. built into the wall.
O

opaque
Applies to any material that is does not allow light to pass through (i.e. non-transparent).

ottoman
An upholstered footstool or seat without arms or back used for extra seating.
P

Palladian window
A large window divided into three parts—an arched center section and two smaller side sections.

papier-mâché
Material made from paper pulp and molded into various objects, which are suitable to be painted and varnished when dry.

passementerie
Fancy trimmings such as tassels, tiebacks and ribbon.

parquet
Wood flooring laid in blocks with boards at angles to each other to form decorative patterns.

patina
A luster or sheen that develops with use over time; evident in metals, fine antiques, vintage furniture and leather.

pattern repeat
How often the pattern is duplicated at intervals down the fabric or wall covering; one repeat is one full pattern.

pediment
An ornamental crest running across the top of tall piece such as a curio, grandfather clock, etc.

Pencil pleat

pencil pleat
A tightly gathered drapery heading. More info>>

percale
A medium-weight cotton fabric used for bedding.

pickling
A whitewashed paint finish.

pilaster
A flattened column-like detail applied to furniture such as bookcases, grandfather clocks, etc. for decorative purposes.

pinch pleats/French pleats
Small, gathered pleats used on the top construction of formal drapes. More info>>
R

RTA
short for "ready-to-assemble" furniture

redecorator/re-arranger
Professionals who specialize in low- or no-cost room makeovers using things you already own.

relief
Sculptural ornamentation raised above its surface or background.

rickrack
A waved braid used for trim.

rod pocket
A stitched pocket at the top of a curtain panel. More info>>

Roman shade

Roman shade
A window treatment that contains horizontal folds when raised and is traditionally flat against the window when lowered. More info>>

rosemaling
Scandinavian/Norwegian folk art rose painting.
S

selvage
Finished sides of the lengthwise grain that prevents raveling.

settee
A long seat or bench with a back and arms that can seat two or more people.

shoji screen
A freestanding Oriental-style sliding door with paper inserts, often reinterpreted as a room divider.

sisal
A natural, durable fiber frequently used for floor coverings.

suzani
A decorative embroidered fabric with raised needlework imported from Uzbekistan. The name suzani comes from the Persian word for needle.

Swag

subway tile
A rectangular tile installed in an offset brick pattern. Originally installed on the walls of the New York City subway in 1904.

swag
One or more pieces of fabric draped over a rod, typically used at the top of a window treatment with jabots. More info>>
T

tapestry
A highly decorative fabric with a woven design, commonly used for upholstery. More on tapestry and other fabrics>>

toile
A cotton fabric with designs of country settings, animals, people or other objects usually printed in one color on a solid background color. More on toile and other fabrics>>

torchiere
A floor lamp that directs light upward from a reflective bowl or inverted cone shade.

trompe l’oeil
French term meaning "fool the eye"; a two-dimensional painting designed to look like a three-dimensional object or scenery. More info>>

trumeau
A classic French style of wood paneling with gilded molding and ornamentation that was developed during the 17th century and used throughout Versailles, the elaborate home of King Louis XIV.
U

Ultrasuede
A synthetic microfiber made from 60 percent polyester and 40 percent nonfibrous polyurethane. Because of its nonwoven construction, it mimics real suede in many ways. More on Ultrasuede and other fabrics>>
V

valance
Any type of decorative fabric piece that covers the window treatment hardware at the top of the window. More info>>

veneer
Thin sheets of wood applied to a furniture surface.

Venetian plaster
A stuccoed wall finish achieved by applying several layers of tinted plaster with a trowel.

verdigris
A greenish deposit on aged copper, bronze or brass. More info>>

voile
A sheer lightweight fabric used to make sheets, pillows, shams, duvet covers and draperies for canopy beds.
W

wabi-sabi
Representing a Japanese worldview, it's a style of perceiving art and the beauty that pervades all things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.

wainscoting
An application of wood paneling up to the middle or lower half of a wall. More info>>

welting/piping
A cord wrapped in fabric, which is used to trim upholstery seams and places where the fabric meets with exposed wood.