Glossary

Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Design

Design practices that prioritize environmental conservation, resource efficiency, and sustainable materials.

Accessible Design

Accessible design is an approach to creating spaces that are usable by people with a wide range of abilities.
Adaptable

Adaptable in interior design refers to spaces, furniture, and Fixtures that can easily be modified to accommodate changing needs or preferences.
Antron

Antron is a premium brand of Nylon fiber used in commercial carpets.
Appliance

An appliance refers to a device or piece of equipment designed to perform a specific task, often used to refer to household or kitchen items.
Architectural Salvage

Architectural salvage refers to elements of buildings saved from demolition or renovations for reuse in other projects.
Artisan Style

Artisan Style refers to a design aesthetic that emphasizes Craftsmanship, handcrafted elements, and materials.
Baffle

A baffle is a device used to obstruct, break up, or redirect sound waves.
Bakelite

Bakelite is an early form of plastic known for its durability and heat resistance.
Bamboo Turning

Bamboo Turning is a technique used to shape Bamboo into various forms and structures for interior design and furniture making.
Biophilic Design

Biophilic Design is an approach to architecture and interior design that seeks to connect building occupants more closely to nature.
Block Printing

Block printing is a printing technique that uses carved wooden blocks to transfer designs onto fabric (Textile) or paper.
Body Impressions

Body Impressions refer to the indentations that form on the surface of a Mattress or cushion over time, caused by the pressure of a person's body.
Builder, Custom Home

A custom home builder is a professional responsible for the construction of personalized homes according to specific client requirements and Specifications.
Building Envelope

The physical barrier that separates the interior of a building from the exterior environment.
Building Permit

A building permit is an official approval issued by local government or regulatory authority for the construction or substantial alteration of a building.
Building Trade Professional

A building trade professional is an expert skilled in the construction, renovation, or repair of buildings.
Bunkie Board

A bunkie board is a thin platform used to support a Mattress.
Calico

Calico is a type of Cotton fabric characterized by its unbleached, Plain Weave.
Camel Hair

Camel hair refers to the soft, downy undercoat or underlayer that camels shed naturally, which is harvested as a Natural Fiber and used in Textiles.
Cane Chair

A cane chair is a lightweight, durable chair made from woven rattan strips known as Cane Webbing.
Casegoods

Casegoods refer to a range of furniture pieces that provide interior Storage space.
Casein

Casein is a natural, protein-based paint Binder derived from milk.
Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer

A professional designation for individuals specializing in the design, planning, and execution of kitchens and bathrooms.
Cork

Cork is a lightweight, natural material and one of many Natural Materials harvested from the cork oak tree.
Distemper

Distemper is a Water Based Paint used on walls and ceilings.
Durability

Durability refers to the ability of a material, object, or design element to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.
Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is a type of Hardwood Flooring made from multiple layers of wood, including a real hardwood top layer.
Emulsion

Emulsion refers to a Water Based Paint with a smooth, Matte Finish.
Fill

Fill refers to materials used to provide softness, volume, or insulation, such as Batting, in interior design elements.
Faux

Faux refers to artificial or imitation materials, including Synthetic Materials, and finishes designed to mimic the appearance of natural or more expensive materials.
Feng Shui

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice of arranging living spaces through Space Planning to create harmony and balance with the natural world.
Filling

Filling, in interior design, refers to the material used to provide volume, shape, or softness to various decorative objects.
Crocheting

Crocheting is a versatile textile art form involving the interlocking of loops of Yarn, thread, or other materials using a crochet hook.
Pegged Furniture

Pegged furniture is furniture that has been assembled using pegs to join its parts, as a form of Joinery.
Foundation

Foundation refers to the lowest load-bearing part of a building which is typically situated below ground level.
Natural Light

Natural light is the illumination provided by the sun that enhances the Visual Comfort and appearance of a space.
NSF - National Sanitation Foundation

NSF International is a global independent organization that develops standards, and tests and certifies products in the interest of public health and safety.
PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride

PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is a versatile synthetic plastic polymer and part of the broader Synthetic Materials category used extensively in interior design.
Papier Mâché

Papier mâché is a crafting material made from paper pieces or pulp bound with an Adhesive such as glue, starch, or wallpaper paste.
Platform Foundation

A platform foundation is a type of Bed Base/Frame constructed from a flat, rigid surface designed to support a mattress without the need for a Box Spring.
Mullion

A vertical bar between the panes of glass in a window, often associated with Glazing.
Rattan

Rattan is a natural, renewable material often used in Wicker Furniture, furniture and decor.
Reclaimed Wood

Reclaimed wood is recycled wood that has been repurposed for new uses, often through Architectural Salvage.
Scandinavian

Scandinavian design is a Minimalist style of design that emphasizes simplicity, functionality (Functionalism), and Natural Materials.
Shellac

Shellac is a natural resin used as a wood finish and sealer in interior design.
Sisal

Sisal is a Natural Fiber derived from the Agave sisalana plant, used extensively in the interior design field.
Slipcover

A slipcover is a fitted protective cover that can be slipped off and on a piece of furniture.
Stove

A stove is a cooking appliance designed to cook or heat food.
Sussex Chair

A Sussex Chair is a type of wooden Arm Chair traditionally made from elm or beech.
Task Lighting

Task lighting refers to light sources specifically designed to assist in the execution of activities that require focused illumination, often through Direct Lighting.
Transparency

Transparency in interior design refers to the quality of materials, especially Translucent Materials, that allows light to pass through them, creating a sense of openness and fluidity.
Sustainable Design

Sustainable design is an approach to designing physical objects, the built environment, and services in a way that reduces their impact on the environment and promotes both ecological and human health.
Steam Bending

Steam bending is a Woodworking process where steam is used to soften wood, making it pliable enough to be easily shaped into curves.
Textile

Textile refers to any material made from interlocking fibers.
Trivet

A trivet is a stand or support used to hold hot pots and other Cookware, dishes, or serving bowls to protect surfaces from heat damage.
Grasscloth

Grasscloth is a type of wallpaper made from natural woven fibers.
Hygge

Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.
UVC - Ultraviolet C

UVC, or Ultraviolet C, is a type of ultraviolet light with germicidal properties used in Germicidal Lighting.
Wabi-Sabi

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection and transience.
Vegetable Dye

Vegetable dye refers to a Natural Dye derived from plants, including roots, berries, bark, leaves, and wood.
Wicker Furniture

Wicker furniture refers to articles of furniture that are made from woven Natural Materials.
Webbing

Webbing is a strong, flexible strip of fabric used in furniture construction.
Hardwood

Hardwood is a type of wood, distinct from Softwood, that comes from dicot trees.
Jute

Jute is a long, soft, shiny vegetable fiber, a type of Natural Fiber, that can be spun into coarse, strong threads.
Kiln Dried

Kiln drying is a process of removing moisture from wood by using a kiln.
LED - Light Emitting Diode

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode, a highly efficient and long-lasting source of light.
Linoleum

Linoleum is a durable, eco-friendly floor covering made from natural materials.
Linen

Linen is a textile made from the Natural Fibers of the flax plant.
Limewash

Limewash is a type of Paint made from Limestone.