Furniture Terms
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
cabriole: a bowed, curved leg that tapers to a smaller foot, similar
to the shape of an animal's leg.
California king: a mattress size that measures 74" x 86". This style
of mattress is popular on the West coast of the United States. The additional
size comes in the length creating a rectangular shape rather than the square
shape of a standard king (Eastern King).
cambric: fabric attached to the underside of upholstered furniture
camelback: sofa or chair style in which the back is raised in an
arch in the middle, similar to a camel's hump.
campaign chair: a style of light, foldable chair. Also known as
a director's chair.
campaign furniture: portable furniture that folds, collapses or
is easy to disassemble and reassemble. It often features handles and recessed
hardware. Originally designed for military use, it is associated colonial
style.
cane: split rattan that is used in an open weave for chair seats
and backs.
canopy bed: traditionally, a bed with a fabric roof over it. Originally
a symbol of rank and privilege, today the canopy may be a wrought iron or
wood frame with stretchers between the posters, with or without the fabric
draperies.
canted: sloping at an angle.
cantilever: horizontal projecting beam or structure anchored at
one end only.
captain's bed: large, high bed featuring a number of storage drawers
located below the mattress cavity.
case good: non-upholstered furniture, especially chests and cabinets.
cedar chest: a storage box with a hinged lid and lining or bottom
of cedar wood, intended to ward off moths and other insects that could damage
clothing or linens.
cellarette: a dining room case good which may function like a sideboard,
but is designed to hold wine and liquor bottles, as well as wine glasses.
chaise: a long chair for reclining. May have one arm, two arms or
no arms at all.
chaise recliner: a recliner with a fully-padded extending footrest.
chaise sectional: a sectional sofa that incorporates a built-in
raised footrest.
channel back: an upholstered chair or sofa back having deep vertical
grooves.
Charles of London: style of arm on upholstered furniture which is
low at the back and slightly raised and curved at the front. The inside
of the arm is usually well padded and curves over the edge of the arm in
the front, contrasting to a flatter treatment on the outside of the arm.
checking: the appearance of wide cracks or splits in wood due to
expansion and contraction of the wood with changes in humidity.
chenille: a soft thick fabric usually made of cotton or silk with
a raised pile, that is used to make furnishings and clothes.
chest: a box with a hinged lid used for storage. May also be used
as an abbreviation of a "chest of drawers."
chest of drawers: cabinet with drawers, usually taller than wide,
used for storage.
chest-on-chest: a two-part chest of drawers with one section designed
to be stacked on top of a wider chest of drawers.
chesterfield: overstuffed couch or sofa with upholstered ends and
no exposed wood. Back and arms are usually of one continuous curve.
cheval mirror: free-standing full-length mirror that may be tilted
between its vertical supports.
chiffonier: a narrow chest of drawers or lingerie chest.
china cabinet: often used in dining rooms, china cabinets generally
consist of an upper portion with glass-doored display case, and lower enclosed
cabinet for storage.
Chinese Chippendale: a style of furniture established in the mid-18th
century England. Innovations by the English designer Thomas Chippendale
expanded upon Chinese-inspired motifs. The style, overall, is more elaborate
than true Chinese designs and is distinguished by open fretwork, some with
faux bamboo carvings, and lacquer finishes.
chinoiserie: a style in found in art, ceramics, textiles and furniture
design that reflects an occidental (European) interpretation of traditional
Chinese motifs.
chintz: printed and glazed cotton fabric, often in bright colors.
Chippendale: Historically 1740-1779. Thomas Chippendale was a furniture
and cabinet maker in the Georgia era. His name became synonymous with his
style, in part because he published a widely-copied book of designs. His
early designs often employed cabriole legs with claw and ball feet. In later
work legs were straight. He carved embellishments in a wide variety of motifs:
lion paws, acorns, acanthus leaves, roses, dolphins and scrolls. Fretwork
was another common element in his designs.
cigar arm: a narrow rolled arm that slopes downward as it approaches
the front edge of a sofa, loveseat, chair or settee.
claw and ball foot: a carved foot at the base of a leg that looks
like a an animal paw or a bird talon grasping a ball. Often found on cabriole
legs.
club foot: thick and substantial foot with a slightly pointed toe,
usually found on cabriole legs.
cocktail table: short-legged table, usually positioned in front
of a sofa or loveseat. Also known as a coffee table.
coffee table: short-legged table, usually positioned in front of
a sofa or loveseat. Also known as a cocktail table.
colonial: In America, this style dominated from the earliest settlements
to the Revolution of 1776. Here as elsewhere it represents styles that are
rooted in mother countries but adapted to the materials and uses of the
colonies, primarily Africa, India, the Americas, and the Caribbean.
color ways: multiple variations of color combinations in which a
fabric pattern is available.
color wheel: a circular arrangement of the colors of the spectrum.
The primary colors, red, yellow and blue, form a triangle within the circle
with their complimentary secondary colors (green for red, purple for yellow
and orange for blue) on the opposite side.
combing: decorative paint technique in which wet glaze is removed
with a comb, or notched tool, to reveal the base coat underneath.
commode: a moveable stand or cupboard, historically used to house
chamber pots.
complimentary colors: two colors that are opposite each other on
the color wheel; i.e.. red and green, purple and yellow, blue and orange.
console: narrow table designed to sit against a wall for support;
often used in entryways. May also mean a free-standing storage cabinet for
housing a TV, stereo or other electronic equipment
contour top: a variety of mattress pillow top. similar to a summit
top. Contour tops employ a gusseted, knife edge construction and are attached
with a distinct separation between the top and the mattress. What differentiates
a contour top is the use of a zoned fill (foam of different densities for
specific areas of the body) in the mattress top.
convoluted foam: a layer of foam used in mattress construction that
often overlays the springs in an innerspring mattress. It resembles the
bottom of an egg crate with peaks and valleys between two and three inches
tall. This layer of foam is good for relieving muscle tension as the peaks
and valleys have a gentle massaging effect.
cool colors: generally, colors that are associated with ice, the
sky and water: blues, purples and greens. It should be noted, however, that
colors that are generally cool can have warm qualities, for example a deep
olive green can have yellow overtones and be considered a warm green.
corner block: reinforcing blocks of wood bolted to the interior
corners of furniture for increased strength and stability.
cornice: horizontal molding at the top of a wall or case good; can
also mean a decorative molding at the top of a window that hides curtain
fixtures
corrected grain leather: leather that has been buffed and coated
with pigments or other finishes to hide imperfections. Also known as protected
leather.
couch: sofa or daybed.
credenza: a buffet, sideboard or bookcase, typically with a functional
top surface near table height.
Crocking: Transferring of color or finish from leather to other
materials caused by rubbing or abrasion.
cuddler: a large, frequently armless, component of a sectional that
typically connects two additional components together at a corner.
curio cabinet: a display case with a glass front and sides, and
without enclosed cabinet space. Most modern curio cabinets incorporate interior
lighting, glass shelves, and a mirrored back.
