Interior Design Explained

A skirt is a fabric panel attached to furniture, typically found on upholstered items such as sofas and armchairs.

Ruching is a decorative technique that involves gathering fabric in a repeat pattern to create texture and volume.

Toile is a fabric that features a detailed scenic pattern printed on it.

Plush refers to a fabric that is notably soft, thick, and luxurious.

Slub refers to a characteristic of fabric that is marked by thick, nubby areas created by slight knots.

A festoon blind is a type of window covering made from fabric that gathers into pleats when raised.

Railroaded refers to a method of fabric construction oriented horizontally rather than the traditional vertical orientation.

Pinch pleats are a style of drapery folds, where fabric is gathered into groups of tight folds at the top to create a decorative header.

Percale refers to a closely woven, plain-weave fabric known for its crisp, smooth texture.

Chambray is a lightweight cotton fabric with a plain weave and a slightly glossy surface.

Drapery refers to heavy curtains made of fabric, used to adorn or cover windows.

A bed skirt is a decorative fabric panel that hangs between the mattress and the floor.

An aniline dye is a type of synthetic dye derived from aniline, used for coloring wood and fabrics.

Tufted refers to a type of fabric treatment where threads are inserted on a base fabric to create patterns, texture, or decorative design.

Mohair is a luxurious, durable fabric made from the hair of the Angora goat.

Corduroy is a fabric distinguished by its textured, ribbed appearance and velvety feel.

A decorative technique with fabric buttoned into a pattern resembling diamonds.

A Roman shade is a type of window covering made of fabric that folds into pleats when raised.

Velvet is a luxurious fabric known for its soft, dense pile and distinctive sheen.

Damask is a woven fabric known for its intricate patterns and quality.

A rod pocket is a fabric pocket along the top of curtains or draperies through which a curtain rod is inserted.

Sateen is a fabric known for its smooth, luxurious feel, often used in interior design for bedding and upholstery.

A dust cover is a protective fabric lining attached to the underside of furniture.

A layer of padding enclosed between the outer fabric and lining of a piece of upholstered furniture.

A dust ruffle is a decorative piece of fabric designed to cover the lower portion of a bed frame and the area underneath.

Jacquard is a fabric characterized by complex patterns woven directly into the material.

Bouclé is a textured fabric known for its looped or curled ply yarns creating a unique and tactile experience.

Gobelin refers to a type of luxury tapestry or fabric known for its intricate designs and historical significance.

Seersucker is a puckered, lightweight fabric commonly used in a variety of interior design applications.

Chenille is a soft, fuzzy fabric known for its luxurious texture.

Matelassé is a weaving or stitching technique that gives fabric the appearance of padded quilting.

Pilling is the formation of small, fuzzy balls on the surface of a fabric due to wear or friction.

An Austrian Shade is a type of window covering known for its elegant, gathered fabric design.

An area rug is a piece of fabric used as a floor covering in a specific area.

Taffeta is a crisp, smooth, woven fabric known for its lustrous sheen and delicate texture.

Inner tufting is a technique used in upholstery to create patterned indents on fabric or leather surfaces.

Baize is a coarse woolen or cotton fabric, similar to felt.

Calico is a type of cotton fabric characterized by its unbleached, plain weave.

A type of fold formed by doubling fabric back upon itself and securing it, creating a boxy shape.

A large, rectangular piece of soft fabric, often used for warmth while sleeping or resting.

A bedspread is a decorative fabric covering that is placed over a bed when it is not in use.

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

A waterfall skirt is a continuous piece of fabric or material that drapes seamlessly from the top of a furniture item to the floor, covering its legs.

Carpet is a floor covering made from thick woven fabric.

Organdy is a lightweight, sheer, crisp fabric made from cotton or polyester.

Voile is a lightweight, sheer fabric, often used in soft furnishing and garments.

Embroidery is the art of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn.

Broadcloth is a dense, smooth, and lustrous fabric woven from cotton or a cotton blend.

Bias in interior design refers to the diagonal direction of fabric grain.

Chintz is a cotton fabric known for its glazed finish and elaborate floral patterns.

Selvage refers to the tightly woven edge that runs along each side of a piece of fabric.

Gingham is a medium-weight, balanced plain-woven fabric made from dyed cotton or cotton-blend yarn.

Shibori is a Japanese manual resist dyeing technique, which produces patterns on fabric.

Cashmere is a luxurious fabric made from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats.

A small hole with reinforced stitching or metal surrounding it, used for decoration or functionality in fabrics.

Felt is a non-woven fabric made from compressed and matted fibers.

Dupioni is a type of silk fabric known for its luxurious texture and slight sheen.

A canopy bed is a bed surrounded by fabric hung from the ceiling or bed frame, creating a canopy.

Channel quilt is a quilting technique where fabric is sewn into elongated, parallel channels, creating a distinct linear pattern.

Piping is a decorative design element, consisting of a strip of folded fabric, used for trimming or outlining the seams of furniture or soft furnishings.

Block printing is a printing technique that uses carved wooden blocks to transfer designs onto fabric or paper.

Printing is the process of transferring designs or patterns onto fabric or other surfaces.

Upholstery refers to the material, which can include fabric, padding, webbing, and springs, used to cover furniture.

Antique satin is a type of woven fabric known for its glossy surface and dull back.

Brocade is a rich, decorative fabric often woven with a raised pattern.

A valance is a decorative piece of fabric used to conceal curtain rods or hardware at the top of a window treatment.

Cambric is a type of lightweight, closely woven white linen or cotton fabric.

Shirring is a sewing technique that gathers fabric.

Button tufted refers to a design detail where buttons are sewn through upholstered fabric or leather, creating a dimpled, patterned surface.