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
fauteuil: upholstered arm chair with open sides.
faux bois: French term for simulated wood.
Federal style: Historically 1780-1820. Style that emerged in the
US after the revolutionary war that was similar to Sheraton, Hipplewhite
and Adams with simplified forms. Classicism had an influence as the young
country considered itself the rightful heir to the republic of ancient Rome.
Scantly used decorative motifs include acanthus leaves, pineapples, scrolls
and pilasters.
feng shui: Chinese philosophy of design which seeks to balance the
yin and yang energies in a space through the arrangement of objects.
fiddle back: a chair with a fiddle-shaped back splat.
finial: a terminating ornament, such a the top of a post, that is
carved or turned on a lathe.
finish: protective coating applied to wood furniture; may also refer
to the combination of the protective coating and the color effect applied
to wood or metal.
Finishing: Steps taken after the dying treatment such as rolling,
pigmented spraying, lacquering, antiquing, waxing, buffing, glazing, waterproofing
and flame-proofing in order to provide more abrasion and stain resistance
and/or a more even surface coloration.
firm (mattress): a mattress with a firm feel and strong support
with a small amount comfort padding.
flip top table: table is distinguished by a table top that can be
doubled over on itself. As it is unfolded it is either rotated or shifted
on the table base for support.
footboard: vertical panel or structure situated at the foot of a
bed frame.
Foulard: A light weight twill fabric of cotton and/or silk fibers;
small scale designs may be printed on the fabric
four-way matching: combined use of book matching and end matching
veneers to create a larger pattern.
French dovetail: wood furniture constriction technique consisting
of one long grove that fits with an interlocking wedge.
French provincial: style characteristic of 17th and 18th century
France. May also be referred to as European country.
fret work: decorative trim on wood furniture that is characterized
by carved interlaced or pierced designs in the wood.
fruitwood: generic term for wood from trees such as cherry and apple.
full grain leather: leather that has not been altered beyond hair
removal.
futon: a Japanese mattress of cotton batting, used either on the
floor or on a folding frame.
