North Carolina Discount Furniture
Furniture Glossary
A
Acetate: Trade name for a textile fiber made from cellulose and acetic acid
Acrilan: Trade name for an acrylic fiber
Acrylic: A synthetic fiber of plant or chemical origin. Used for its moderate strength and ability to accept bright colors well. Acrylic has a soft, plush feel that resists flattening
Air Bed: A vinyl mattress filled with air, usually covered with cushioning
Air Dried: Wood that is dried without the use of an artificial heat source. Air drying removes about 70% of the wood’s moisture content
All-Wood: All-wood indicates that all parts of the piece are constructed with wood or wood products: hardwood, softwood, engineered wood and veneers
Aniline: A colorless, oily dye used on leather that won’t conceal any of the natural character
Antique Finish: A finish applied to furniture that gives the appearance of age
Antiquing: The method of applying an antique finish
Armoire: Another name for a tall, wide wardrobe usually having two large doors behind which clothes can be hung or stored. Armoires originated in France where they were used for the storage of armor
Arm Caps: Upholstered coverings for the arms of a chair or sofa
Arm Stump: The vertical front of a sofa or chair arm
Arrow Foot: A cylindrical foot which is tapered and separated from the leg by a turned ring
Attached Pillow Back: A pillow
treatment which cannot be removed from the upholstered piece
B
Bachelors Chest: A low chest of drawers, traditionally with a slide that pulls out for writing.
Back Rail: A wood frame that supports the back springs and/or cushioning material of a sofa or chair
Backing: A coating that is applied to the back of fabric to prevent seam slippage and excess wear
Baffle: A device to deflect or regulate flow. In waterbeds, a baffle reduces the motion. Attached to a light, a baffle prevents light from glaring into the eyes
Ball Casters: Wheels or rotating balls mounted in a swivel frame; used for easy movement
Ball Foot: The rounded end of a turned leg which has a hooded effect
Barrel Back: A chair or sofa with the arms and back forming a continuous curve
Base Rail: The rail at the base of a frame, closest to the floor
Baseball Stitching: A double row of stitches, one on each side of a seam, used for decorative and strength purposes
Basket-Weave: A pattern on a fabric that looks like a woven basket
Blanket Chest: A low box-like chest designed for storing blankets often having a hinged top and a drawer near the base
Blended: Term used to describe fabric that is woven of different fibers
Bonnell Coil: A coil commonly used in mattresses with a rounded top
Border Rod: A heavy wire that’s placed around the edges of a mattress or box spring, usually attached to the outermost coils to provide shape and form
Bow Back: A chair back formed by a bent piece of wood fitted with vertical spindles (as in a Windsor chair). The bow or hoop is continuous down to the arms or the seat
Boxspring: A foundation that is used to support an innerspring mattress
Brass: An alloy of copper composed of copper and zinc. Brass is stronger than copper and has a more yellow color. It is often made into headboards, footboards, frames, lamps, table top accessories and occasional tables. Brass will tarnish when exposed to the air if not coated with a clear protective coating
Brass Plate: Brass plated furniture usually has steel frames electroplated with a thin layer of brass or nickel and brass. The plated surfaces should be smooth, free from water marks and covered by a protective coating
Brewster Chair: An American colonial wooden chair with heavy turned posts, many turned spindles and a wood seat. Provincial Jacobean style influences
Brocade: A rich heavy fabric with a raised woven pattern. Commonly bold colors are used to contrast against the background
Brocatelle: A rich heavy fabric with a raised woven raised, more so than brocade
Broken Pediment: The space or structure above the cornice in which the side lines or scrolls do not meet in the center or come to a point. Often used on secretaries, clocks or chinas
Buffet: A small cupboard or sideboard used to store dining implements
Buffing: A process that removes scars and imperfections. In leather, buffing the hide produces a softer texture
Bun Foot: A flattened ball foot
Bunk Bed: Two beds that are joined together so that one is placed above the other. Federal safety standards exist for bunk bed ladders and rails which protect children from falling injuries.
Bureau: A chest of drawers used in the bedroom
Burl: A large rounded outgrowth on the base of a tree. Veneers that are cut from burls have a unique spotted pattern
Butler's Table: An oval wooden tray on legs whose four sides are hinged to fold out flat when set down
Butterfly Table: A small drop-leaf table whose leaves are supported by a swinging support which resembles a butterfly wing on a rudder
Button-Tufting: Fabric covered buttons are sewn through the upholstery surface and tied down
C
Cabriole: A furniture leg that curves outward from the structure which it supports and then descends in a tapering reverse curve terminating in an ornamental foot. Often used in Queen Anne and Chippendale dining chairs
California King: A bed that measures 72" wide and 84" long
Camel Back: Double curved back, shield shaped; characteristic Hepplewhite style
Case Goods: A term for furniture that is not upholstered and is typically boxy or case-like in construction (chests, tables, desks, etc.)
Casting: The art of forming metal objects by pouring the molten metal into a mold and allowing it to harden. After hardening, the castings are finished by hand
Cellulose: The predominant structural material in cell walls of plants; the chemical component of wood
Center Glide: A center track that a drawer glides on
Chaise Lounge: A type of sofa or daybed designed for reclining and resembling an elongated chair
Check: A crack or split in wood; often the result of drying
Chest on Chest: Primarily English and American 18th and 19th Century pieces composed of two stacked chests of drawers, the upper chest usually being smaller than the lower
China Cabinet: A cabinet which is used for the display and storage of fine china. It is often massive with front and side glass panels
Chinoiserie: Painted or lacquered Chinese designs
Chintz: A printed glossy fabric
Claw and Ball Foot: The terminal portion of a furniture leg (often cabriole) consisting of a carved animal or bird claw clutching a sphere
Cleanability Code: One of four letters (W, W-S, S, X) that are used as industry codes to indicate which cleaning method is best for particular fabrics
Club Chair: An upholstered chair with arms and a low back
Club Foot: A rounded foot that resembles a club resting on a flat base
Coil Count: The number of innerspring coils in a mattress
Coil Springs: Wire coils used in quality upholstery to give a desired resiliency and firmness to the seat and back. These are often "tied" or incorporated in a "marshall unit."
COM (Customer’s Own Material): Furniture industry term for the amount of material required for custom fabric or leather coverings, typically expressed in square yards
Comb Back: A Windsor chair having an extension of the back above the arm rail that consists of five or more spindles and a curved top rail that resembles a comb
Commode: A low chest of drawers and/or doors or a cabinet on legs which usually stands against a wall
Console: A table that is fixed to a wall and supported by one or more carved legs. Also any table meant to be placed against a wall
Continuous Coil: A design in innerspring mattresses where each row of coils is constructed from a single piece of wire
Contrasting Welts: Welts that are of different color or material than the base upholstery material
Corduroy: A heavy cotton or rayon fabric pile fabric that is ribbed
Corner Blocks: Blocks of wood that are placed at major right-angle joints in furniture frames for reinforcement, usually glued and screwed into place
Corner Cupboard: A triangular shaped dining room china cabinet made to fit into a corner
Corrected Grain Leather: Leather that has had any blemishes removed and then embossed with an attractive but artificial grain pattern
Cover: The outer layer, or covering, of a sofa or chair
Cowhide: The entire animal hide used for upholstery, on average 40-50 square feet per hide
Credenza: A sideboard of buffet
Crotch Veneer: A veneer cut from the intersection of the main trunk and branch of a tree, showing an irregular effect of graining
Cupboard: A cabinet, box or closet with shelves designed to hold cups, dishes or food
Curio: A case piece which has glass doors, panels and shelves, which is used to display collectibles. Derived from "curiosity" cabinet
Cushioning: The soft material, typically cotton, polyester, polyurethane foam or down that is used to provide comfort above the coils in a sofa or mattress
D
Dacron: Trade name for a polyester fiber
Damask: A rich patterned fabric of cotton, linen, silk, or wool in a tightly woven design that contrasts against its background. True damasks are flat and reversible, thus differing from brocades
Daybed: A sofa with head and foot and/or back pieces, having a twin sized mattress which doubles as a sitting and sleeping surface. Daybeds often have decorative removable covers and matching pillows or bolsters which act as back rests
Deck: A foundation or pedestal that supports seat cushions; the flat board on a waterbed pedestal below the frame
Denim: A tightly woven plain-weave flat fabric of heavy cotton
Density: The weight per cubic foot of foam. Density is independent of firmness but is considered an important indicator of foam quality. Foam with a density of 1.8 pounds per cubic foot is less likely to "bottom out," "fatigue" or "dish." Higher density virgin foam cores tend to have a better surface softness along with deep down support
Dentil Molding: Ornamental cornice molding consisting of rectangular blocks spaced at regular intervals resembling teeth
Diamond Tufting: An arrangement of tufting buttons to yield a diamond shaped pattern on the back of an upholstered piece
Dish: An undesirable characteristic common with four and five inch low density mattress cores. When weight is placed in the center of a low density foam mattress, the corners rise and bow in response to the deep compression
Distressing: A decorative
technique used to give new furniture a worn, rustic feel. Effects
can be created by beating the wood with metal objects to create
dents and dings.
Divided Back: A visual effect
where the back of a sofa is made to look divided, with detachable
cushions
Double Bed: A bed that measures 54” wide by 74” long. Sometimes referred to as a full, double or standard sized bed
Double Doweled: A construction technique used in wooden frames that consists of two dowels inserted into both sides of the joint; creates a stronger joint than a single dowel
Double Extra Long: A bed that measures 54” wide by 80” long, not a common sized bed
Dowels: A headless wooden pin used in quality furniture construction. Similar to a nail or screw, dowels are inserted into holes drilled into two adjoining pieces of wood. They are best used in pairs and glued then pounded into place.
Down: Soft breast feathers from a duck or goose (or any water fowl) used for padding
Drum Dyeing: A process of dyeing leather by immersing it in a dye solution in a tumbling steel drum
Dust Cover: A non-woven material that covers the bottom of an upholstered piece of furniture; also called cambric
E
Easy Chair: Any large chair which is suitable for lounging
Edge Wire: A heavy gauge wire frame that acts as a border to keep a spring edge straight and uniform
Effect Coat: A textured, marbled pattern applied to leather
Eight-Way Hand-Tied Springs: In the support system of an upholstered piece, each three-dimensional coil spring is placed in the seat by hand and tied into place with twine, interlocking it to the eight surrounding coils via an intricate set of knots. Each coil is set so it responds to body weight with the proper degree of resiliency
Embossing: A permanent technique that involves pressing a design onto a piece of furniture to create an artificial design
Envelope Arm: Nick-named “envelope” because of the fold-over design; an arm of a sofa or chair in which the padding protrudes up from the seat and flows over the arm with no seams
Exposed Trim: Any wood (except the legs) that shows on an upholstered piece, whether it be the frame or trim added for decoration
F
Face Veneer: High quality veneer used on exposed surfaces
Fat Wrinkles: Natural markings, similar to wrinkles, on leather caused by fat deposits. Corrected grain leathers won’t show this natural feature
Fatigue: The tendency of a material to break under repeated stress. Lower quality mattresses frequently suffer from fatigue
Fiberfil: Name for a specially engineered polyester fiber used as filling material in pillows, mattresses, comforters, etc.
Fiddleback: Chair back whose splat looks like a violin
Fiddleback Figure: Wood markings in the form of waves with small regular undulations
Figure: The natural markings or patterns found in wood
Filling: Soft materials used to cushion upholstered furniture
Finger Joint: A joint made with interlocking finger-like projections in two boards
Finials: The curved cast, turned or stamped decorative piece that adorns the top of bed posts
Finish: The surface coating of an item that provides color, texture and/or moisture protection; furniture finishes commonly include paints, stains and varnishes. Fabrics, leathers and metals may also require a finish
Firmness Ratio: The measure of the tendency of a spring to become firmer as greater weight is placed on it
Flared Arm: An arm that comes out of the seat in an outward concave manner
Flat Weave: Fabric with no pile such as tweeds, twills and satins
Flounce: A strip of decorative, usually gathered or pleated material attached by one edge, as on a garment or curtain
Foam: Padding material used for cushioning or to pad upholstered furniture. "Foam" is short for polyurethane foam in general use today
Fortrel: Trade name for a polyester fiber
Four Poster: Any bed with four high posts positioned at each corner. Originally, the posts were designed to support elaborate fabric curtains and upholstered treatments which totally enclosed the bed
Frame: The wooden skeleton or backbone that supports the weight and maintains the shape of the piece
Front Rail: Similar to the base rail, but at the front of the piece
Full Grain: Genuine top-grain leather that has not been altered or corrected in any way
Futon: A flexible, usually cotton filled mattress placed on a folding frame, which then doubles as a sitting area and a bed
G
Gallery: A small ornamental barrier or railing around the top of a table, cabinet or buffet, etc.
Gateleg Table: A table which has drop leaves supported by a leg which swings out like a gate
Gauge: The measure of the diameter of wire coils; the lower the gauge, the heavier the wire
Glaze: A protective finish applied to wood or leather; glaze highlights the grain characteristics of wood and produces a glossy sheen on leather
Glides: Material applied to the bottoms of furniture legs to aid in movement across a floor
Grain: The natural direction of the fibers, pores and wrinkles of a piece of wood
Growth Rings: Also called annual rings, these “rings” can be seen in a cross-section of a tree trunk. The number of rings indicates how old a tree is, the width of each ring indicates how quickly the tree grew each year
H
Hand: The feel of leather, its textural characteristics
Hand-Antiqued: The application of an antiquing process that was performed by hand instead of a machine
Hand Tied: Single coil springs that are attached to the webbing with links and then "hand tied" to each other and the frame with twine to achieve differing amounts of elasticity in the seat. Two, four, and eight way hand ties are commonly used. The more ways the spring is tied, the harder the seat
Handle-Operated Recliner: A recliner in which the reclining mechanism is activated by a handle pulled by the operator
Hardwood: Trees that lose their leaves annually; frequently used hardwoods in furniture production are cherry, maple, oak, pecan, teak, walnut, mahogany and poplar
Hardwood Frames: Frames which are made from hardwoods; usually kiln-dried and resist splitting
Headboard: An upright structure rising above the mattress at the head of the bed. Common types include the chairback headboard, panel headboard, and bookcase headboard
Helicals: Wire spirals that usually hold together adjacent rows of coil springs
Herculon: Trade name for an olefin fiber
Hidden Casters: casters that are recessed as to be concealed
Hide: The skin obtained from animals for human use; commonly cattle hides are used for producing leather for furniture
High Body: A tall chest of drawers that is often made in two sections - the upper chest is sitting on a table with long legs called a lowboy
High Pressure Laminates: Synthetic sheet surfaces that are bonded to a core material. Laminates offer heat, soil, and stain resistance. They can be grain and color matched to surrounding woods for use in dresser or bureau tops, or produced in decorative colors used to surface entire contemporary bedroom suites
High Resiliency (HR) Foam: HR foam structure is different than conventional foam which produces a more supportive, durable material
Hitchcock: Chair Named for American furniture manufacturer Lambert Hitchcock, the chair has a rush or caned seat, slightly bent back, and an oval turned top rail. These chairs are often painted or stenciled with fruit and flower patterns
Hock Leg: A cabriole leg having a broken curve on the inner side of the knee
Hogarth Chair: A 18th Century Queen Anne styled side chair with a hoop back, pierced splat and cabriole legs
Hoop Back: A chair back formed by a bent piece of wood fitted with vertical spindles
Horseshoe Back: The outward sweep at the base of the bow in the back of a Windsor chair
Hutch: A low cupboard with doors usually surrounded by open shelves
Hutch Mirror: A mirror incorporated into an open shelved cabinet designed to sit on a dresser
I
IFD: Indentation Force Deflection, a measure of the firmness of polyurethane foam
Inlay: A piece of wood, metal or other material that is set into a surface; the resulting pattern or design is level with the surface of the base material
Innerspring Unit: The spring and wire unit made up of coils, helical wires and border wires which forms the inside of a mattress or sofa
Insulator: A layer of protection in a mattress between the cushioning and the innerspring coils; commonly a compressed polyester fiber pad or a polypropylene mesh screen
Inverted Seam: A seam that joins two pieces of material on the underside with no welt
Iron Beds: Term often used to describe beds made of steel that are coated with white or colored protective coatings
J
Jacquard: An intricate fabric with ornate patterns; also the type of loom used to make such a fabric
K
Kela Sauvage: A mechanical process that adds a sauvage look during the finishing stage. A relief roller creates a marbled look and enhances the finish’s character
Kick Pleat: A tailored inverted pleat found at the bottom corner of a piece of upholstered furniture
Kiln Dried: A term used to describe wood that has been dried in a kiln; resists warping and splitting
Knock Down (Or K-D): Furniture that is sold unassembled or partially assembled; requires assembly by the consumer
Kodel: Trade name for a polyester fiber
L
Laminate: Any thin material such as wood or plastic that’s glued to the exterior of a cabinet or other surface
Ladder Back: A chair back which has horizontal cross rails or slats that resemble a ladder
Latex: A natural foam product from a rubber tree; often used in premium quality foam mattresses
Lawson: An overstuffed furniture style has square seat cushions, short squared or rectangle backrests and high rolled or squared arms
Left-Facing: The left-hand side of a piece of furniture when looking at it from the front
Library Storage: Media storage in the form of drawers, shelves or cabinets
Liming: Similar to a whitewash, the chemical process of using lime to stain wood a white color
Lingerie Chest: A tall, narrow chest or drawers originally designed to hold women's undergarments
Loose Pillow Back: A pillow treatment which can be removed from an upholstered piece
Loop Back: An oval chair back or a Windsor bow back without arms
Loveseat: Double chair or small sofa
Lyre Motif: Representations of a harp-like instrument are used in many French and English designs. The lyre is used extensively in the chair backs and table supports of Duncan Phyfe
M
Machine-Antiqued: The application of an antiquing process that was performed by a machine instead of a hand
Marlborough Legs: A heavy straight leg used by Chippendale and others
Marshall Unit: Coil springs which are inserted in separate pockets and then joined together to form cushions
Matching: The placement of fabric so that any pattern or stripes will be continued across the piece
Matelasse: A double-woven fabric with puckered, quilted surface effects
Miter Joint: A joint made by fastening two pieces, each cut at a 45° angle, to create a 90° angle
Mortise: A mortise is a cavity cut into a piece of wood designed to receive a tenon to form a joint
Mr. & Mrs. Chairs: A pair of matching chairs, one larger for him, the other smaller for her
N
Nail-Head Trim: Decorative nail heads applied to the arms and backs of upholstered pieces to imitate the use of an actual nail
Nap: Raised textured fibers in a fabric design such as velvet or corduroy
Nest-of-Tables: Small occasional tables which are graduated in size so that they slide beneath one another
Night Stand: A small, low table or cabinet which sits by a bed
Nubby: Fabric with varying thicknesses of yarn, which produce an irregular feel
Nubuck Leather: High quality leather that has been buffed to create a soft nap
Nylon: A synthetic yarn used in furniture production; known for its durability and wearability
O
Offset Coils: Hourglass-shaped innerspring mattress coils that have a flat top instead of a rounded top
Olefin: A synthetic fiber known for its strength and stain resistance
Orlon: Trade name for an acrylic fiber
Ottoman: An overstuffed foot stool; an upholstered seat or couch usually without a back
Oval Back: The shape of a chair back often associated with Hepplewhite designs
Overstuffed Furniture: Upholstered pieces in which the wood frame is completely and deeply covered by the upholstery with little exposed woodwork
P
Pad Foot: A simple foot treatment at the end of a cabriole leg
Pad Seat: Upholstered furniture built without springs. The seat usually has a solid or webbed base padded with loose stuffing and overlaid with a sofa material (felted cotton, poly-dacron)
Parquet Top: A table top that has an inlay surface which creates geometric patters with different colors of wood
Parsons Leg: A relatively long fully upholstered leg
Patina: A luster or sheen that develops on surfaces with age, use and care; usually associated with fine antiques, vintage furniture and leather furniture
Pedestal Table: A table which has a central supporting column or pillar
Pediment: The usually triangular or rounded structure above the cornice often seen in tall case pieces
Pier Group: Two very tall, narrow chests (pier cabinets) which sit at the head on either side of a bed
Pigmenting: A technique used to cover imperfections by coloring or coating the surface of leather; also used to add protection
Pile Weave: Fabric with raised nap, such as velvet or corduroy
Pillow Top Mattress: A mattress topper with extra foam and padding that is sewn into place over the entire surface of the mattress top
Piping: Also known as fluting, piping is the individual upholstered pockets (pipes) that are stuffed separately to give a comfortable soft curve in the back of barrel back, fan back, kidney shaped and hollow backed upholstered pieces.
Platform Bed: A bed whose base consists of a raised, flat, hard, horizontal surface meant to support a mattress
Plinth Base: A squared base (sometimes other shapes) which sits on the floor and usually recessed from the outermost outlines of the case piece
Plywood: Plywood is made by gluing several thin layers of wood together with their grains at right angles and bonded under heat and pressure. The result is a composite material that is stronger than solid wood and resistant to splitting and warping from expansion and contraction
Pocket Coils: Coils in an innerspring mattress that are encased in individual fabric pockets
Polishing: A technique designed to remove imperfections from an animal hide
Poly Dacron Wrap: A cushion construction method in which a soft resilient polyester material is wrapped around a polyurethane core.
Polyester: Trade name for a synthetic fiber
Polyurethane: Synthetic foam used for cushions in upholstered furniture
Pop Up: A term used to describe a head rest that “pops up” from inside the chair back of a recliner when it is in the reclined position
Premium Select: The finest quality leather hides available, with few blemishes
Print: A design on a fabric that has been painted or applied after production, rather than woven in
Protected Aniline: Leather that has been dyed with aniline and then slightly pigmented
Pressboard: A strong, highly glazed board sometimes used for case backs, dust proofing or as the underlying structural base for veneers, engraving or vinyl wrap. Also known as composition board or particle board
Punch-out Back: Entertainment centers are designed to hold many pieces of audio/video equipment each with separate power plugs, input/output cables, and antennas. To allow these unit's wires to connect with each other, entertainment centers either have fully or partially open backs or backs with removable panels that can be "punched out”
Pull-Up: A full grain, aniline leather that is oiled or waxed. When pulled up, the oils and waxes cause the coloring to shift and become lighter in the pulled areas
Pure Aniline Leather: Leather that has been dyed with aniline
Q
Quilting: Patterns that are sewn into the mattress ticking. For surface softness, many manufacturers quilt the ticking to soft urethane foam of varying thicknesses
R
Rabbet Joint: A recess or groove cut into the edge of one piece of wood that receives a corresponding protrusion on another piece of wood. A common example of how a rabbet joint is used is the back of a cheaply made cabinet or shelf that “slides” into the grooves of the sides of the piece
Rail Joints: The places where the horizontal members of an upholstered frame meet. These joints are often screwed, glued and doubled doweled for extra strength
Recliner: A chair that reclines, the chair’s back is lowered and an attached ottoman is raised in front
Refectory Table: A long narrow table with heavy stretchers positioned close to the floor which was originally used by religious orders in the middle ages. Modern adaptations are shorter and have underleaves
Reversible Cushions: Seat cushions which can be reversed; rotation of cushions can improve durability
Ribbon Figure: A grain pattern common in tropical lumbers that is caused by grain fibers that spiral in opposite directions in adjacent growth layers
Right-Facing: The left-hand side of a piece of furniture when looking at it from the front
Rocker: A chair which moves back and forth in a rocking position. Traditional wooden rockers have two curved pieces attached to the bottom of the legs
Rolled Arms: Arms which flare out and then down and return to meet the sides of a chair or sofa, appearing to have been rolled
Rotary Cut: A type of veneer that results from a rotary lathe; the wood is turned against a very sharp blade and peeled off in one continuous or semi-continuous roll
Rubbed Finish: A finish which has been rubbed with an abrasive material and lubricant to produce a smooth, level surface
Ruffled Pleat (Sheer Pleat): A skirt treatment in which unlined fabric is gathered to achieve a ruffled effect
S
Saddle: A chair seat which has been hollowed to the sides and back to resemble the pommel of a saddle. Often used in American colonial styled seats
Saddle Stitched: A decorative form of sewing the cover, used more for ornamentation. It is not required for a good seam closure
Satin: A smooth fabric, as of silk or rayon, woven with a glossy face and a dull back
Sauvage: A two-toned, marbled effect applied to leather furniture
Scallop: An ornamental border in the shape of small half circles
Scoop Seat: A chair with a seat that has been hollowed out to fit the body
Scrolls: Scrolls, or curls, are the supportive and decorative members shaped which are connected to posts, rails, and each other on many brass (especially traditional) headboards and footboards. Scrolls can either be solid or made from hollow tubing
Seasoning: Removing moisture from wood
Sectionals: Furniture made up of modular units capable of use separately or in various combinations
Self-Covered Seat Deck: To cover the frame area of an upholstered piece of furniture beneath the seat cushions with the same fabric as the body; normally seen only on better furniture
Self Storing Leaves: Leaves that store within an extension table
Self-Welting: Welting that is the same color and fabric as the rest of the upholstery
Serving Table: A long narrow side table with drawers used in dining rooms for silver storage
Shield Back: A chair back used by Hepplewhite and Sheraton that resembles a shield, the outlines of which are formed by a double curved top rail with a half ellipse below
Side Glide: A drawer located on the vertical side faces on the drawer
Skirt: A piece of fabric that hangs from the bottom of a sofa or chair
Slat Back: Often used in American colonial styled chairs, this treatment uses horizontal rails across the back and looks similar to a ladder back
Sleeper Sofa: A sofa which can be converted into a bed
Sliced Veneer: Veneer cut from a piece of wood by moving it against a stationary knife
Slip Seat: An upholstered "loose seat" insert that is dropped into the frame of a dining chair and can be removed for re-upholstery
Sofa Table: A long, thin, tall, occasional table placed against the back of a sofa or against a wall. Original 18th century versions had small, rounded drop leaf ends and drawers
Softwoods: Refers to trees that retain their leaves year-round including cedar, cypress, fir, pine and redwood
Solid Wood: Furniture in which all of the exposed parts are the same wood; the frame or support system may be comprised of a combination of different woods
Spindle: A thin turned and shaped column, usually used in rows such as the back of a Windsor chair
Splits: The undersides of leather generally used for suede and lower quality leather furniture
Spring Edge: An upholstered seat’s front edge that's supported by springs rather than the frame
Spiral Leg: A leg having the shape of a spiral or twisted rope
Spooning: A curved chair back designed to fit the sitter's form. Common in Queen Anne styled chairs
Stain-Resistant Finish: A chemical finish that repels stains
Steam Bend: A method of bending a single piece of wood (bowback chair, bowed splat, etc.) into a furniture part; since the wood grain is bent instead of cut, this method yields exceptional strength
Stump Panel: The vertical panel of a furniture arm facing towards the front; the arm stump
Suede: Leather produced from the flesh split, which has a velvet-like nap
Suite: A set of matching furniture; a sofa and loveseat or a sofa and chair, for example
Swatch: A sample of upholstery fabric
Swing Leg: A hinged table leg lacking a lower stretcher (as in a gate leg) which swings out to support a drop leaf
Swivel Rocker: A chair that rocks on a swivel motion
T
Tailored Upholstery: A furniture frame which has fabric fitted and permanently attached
Tanning: The chemical and mechanical processes of treating a hide
Tapestry: A heavy woven fabric featuring decorative designs or pictures to be hung on a wall
Tapered Leg: A furniture leg whose diameter decreases from the top to the bottom
Television Cavity: Most audio components have standard physical dimensions, but televisions vary widely in height, width and depth. If a customer's television is too deep for the entertainment center, its back will protrude beyond the back of the case and force replacement of the case away from the wall. If a TV's width and height exceeds the physical dimensions of the case, the television will not fit at all. Television tube size is measured diagonally across the front of the tube. Today's sets generally have similar dimensions, but older sets vary widely in height width and depth. Larger tubes are becoming more popular
Tempering: Relieving the stress of coils with heat or electricity to ensure that the wire will return to its original height after compression
Tester Bed: A four poster bed that has a canopy supported by a frame
Tight Seat Bed: Fully upholstered back designed not to have a cushion
Top Coat: A synthetic, transparent finish that is applied to furniture as a protective coat which produces a shiny coat
Top Grain: The highest quality part of a hide, used in more expensive furniture pieces
Topper Pad: Insulation and padding material that lies on top of the spring assembly in an innerspring mattress
Trestle Table: A table top supported by a braced frame (divided foot, horse), often consisting of two posts with feet, joined by a connecting member
Trifold Mirror: A tri-fold or tri-view mirror sits on or hangs above a dresser. It has a central mirror panel and two mirrored side panels that produce three images of a person looking in the mirror
Trim: A decorative strip of wood applied to the outside of furniture
Trundle Bed: A low or collapsible bed which is stored under another bed
T-Shape: A “t” shaped loose seat cushion with the outside front edges extending laterally in front of the arm of an upholstered piece; or a back seat cushion with the top outside edges extending vertically over the arm of an upholstered piece
Tufting & Buttoning: A method of securing the filling of an upholstered piece of furniture by pulling stitches through the material and securing them to the frame. The evenly spaced tufting is then finished with buttons, which are usually upholstered
Turning: The shaping of chair or table legs on a lathe
Tuxedo: A sofa or chair design with a square frame created by the arm and back rests being equal in height
Tweed: A rough, unfinished woolen fabric, of a soft, flexible texture resembling cheviot or homespun, but more closely woven
Twill: A fabric that is diagonally ribbed, therefore a strong weave
Twist: A chair or table turning resembling a screw or spiral
U
Urethane Foam (Polyurethane): Flexible polyurethane foam is used as a cushioning material in upholstered furniture seats, backs and arms. It is an extremely versatile product that can be produced to have practically any "feel" - from very firm to very plush. For seat cushioning, foams that have a density of 1.8 pounds per cubic foot or higher offer the best support and durability characteristics. Several types of polyurethane foam are used in upholstered furniture. Conventional polyurethane is the most widely used. High resilience (HR foam) is used at higher price points because it offers superior support and surface softness. High comfort (HC foam) normally falls between conventional foams or foams containing a variety of materials used to increase density are also used
V
Vectra: Trade name for an olefin fiber
Velvet: A luxurious fabric that is soft in texture and features a thick pile
Veneer: Thin sheets of wood applied to a furniture surface to create decorative inlay patterns of wood grain
Vinyl Wrap: Flexible vinyl wrapping applied to underlying wood solids or particleboard to produce a surface that most often resembles wood. It is often used in less expensive furniture applications
W
Wallhugger: Trade name for a mechanism which allows a reclining chair to be placed within 3" of a wall and permit it to fully recline without touching the wall
Wall Units: Large free-standing or wall hung units which can have drawers, shelves, cabinets, desks, ban units, entertainment centers or a variety of other features
Weave: The manner in which cloth is woven both in terms of tightness and in terms of texture
Webbing: Interwoven strips of material attached to a frame; used for support in upholstery pieces in place of traditional spring systems
Welting: A cord wrapped in fabric, which is used to trim upholstery seams and places where the fabric meets with exposed wood
Wing Back: A high backed upholstered chair featuring rolled arms and wing shaped protrusions that extend over the arms at the head level
Windsor Chair: A wooden chair with a bentwood, fan, hoop or bow back and legs which are pegged into a thick saddle seat. The back is often formed of plain or turned spindles with or without splats
Wrapped Cushion: A seat or back cushion which contains an inner core and an outer wrapping
