Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Interior Design is a profession like any other that incorporates its' own terminology
and jargon. DCR interiors is happy to provide a list of industry vocabulary to help
its' clients and the public better understand our services, design options, and the
profession as a whole.
ACCENT LIGHTING - controlled and focused light used to accent interior elements or architectural
details
ARMOIRE – originally large cabinet or wardrobe used for storing clothes, often converted into
BALLOON SHADE - fabric shade creating a gathered bottom edge when raised
BAUHAUS - practical, theoretical, and influential industrial art, craft, architecture and design school of
BAY WINDOW - typically composed of three windows constructed with two angled side windows
BROCADE - jacquard fabric design, often silk , with raised patterns and floating yarns on the back of
BUFFET – linear furniture piece with storage for flatware used as a counter for serving
BUNGALOW - the term is often used to describe a single- or 1½-story Arts & Crafts "Craftsman" or
"Prairie" style house built between 1890 and 1930 featuring casement window s, gabled and shingled
CABRIOLE LEG - carved wood furniture leg curving outward at the knee and tapering inward at the
ankle, resembling an animal's hip, thigh and ankle, often finished with a claw foot or rounded pad
CAFE CURTAIN - window treatment typical gathered, stationary, hung from rods and rings installed
half-way up a window
CAPITAL - decorative cap placed on a column , pillar or pilaster i. e. Doric , Ionic , Corinthian ,
estate, usually enforced by a homeowners' association and passed on to the new owners of property.
For example, CC&Rs may tell you how big your house can be, how you must landscape your yard or
CHAIR - individual seat constructed with a back rest, which is most often supported by 4 legs,
featuring single or double armrests, i.e. Captain's chair, host and hostess chairs, ladder-back chair,
CHAIR RAIL - wood trim installed horizontally on a wall around a room, usually about 30" off the
ground, used to scale down a large wall, further adorned with bead board, trim, wallpaper or
CHANDELIER - ceiling mounted light fixture with arms branching out from a central support
architectural designs into five distinct orders; i.e. Greek Doric Order, Ionic Order and Corinthian Order,
COLOR PALETTE - a specific group or range of traits in various colors , which can be contrasting,
COLOR WAY - a variety of color schemes in a particular pattern created for a textile fabric , carpet ,
COMBING - faux painting technique where a tool with "teeth" is dragged through the wet paint to
create striations
COMPLIMENTARY COLOR - colors opposite each other on a color wheel i.e. Red vs. Green, Blue vs.
CORBEL - architectural detail projecting from a wall, which extends upward and outward
CORNER CABINET - built-in or independently crafted cabinet designed to fit tightly into the corner of
COUNTER - horizontal work surface, which can be free-standing or built-in, often constructed at 29"
CROWN MOLDING - molding installed where the wall and ceiling meet or applied at the top of case
goods
CUT PILE - tufted wool , nylon or other yarn shirred by machine, leaving the ends of the fibers evenly
DECO - streamlined designs depicting design motifs from the Art Deco Period
DECORATOR
- Our definition of an interior decorator is an individual with an interest and experience in residential
decorating, but one who also lacks a formal education in interior design, which includes training in
architecture, space planning, interior fixtures, furniture and finishes, lighting design, custom furniture
and textile design, furniture and textile history, business ethics and standards, in conjunction with the
ability to draft, execute floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, perspectives by hand or digitally
DEMISING WALL - any interior wall dividing one leased portion of a building from another
DOUBLE-HUNG WINDOW - window of two sashes operating to slide past one another in a wood
track
DRAFTING - hand drawn, "mechanical" drawings including cabinetry , elevations , floor plans ,
FAUX BOIS - reproducing or re-interpreting a painted wood grain finish , and furnishings or objects
FAVRILÉ GLASS - brand name for iridescent art glass originally introduced by L.C. Tiffany
FENG SHUI - wind and water; ancient Chinese practice of harmonizing the built environment with
spiritual forces
FIDER - Foundation for Interior Design Research, now known as the Council for Interior Design
Accreditation (CIDA)
FIELD VERIFY - on-site visit to confirm measurements and position of electrical, HVAC, windows,
doors, etc.
FINIAL - decorative hardware , wood, metal or cast materials used to cap drapery rods , newel
FINISH - final treatment, coating, stain, paint, etc. on a surface including lath & plaster, gypsum
wallboard, acoustical & ceiling systems, cabinets & trim, furniture, floor coverings, wall coverings,
FINISH SCHEDULE - documents detailing doors, windows , furniture , room finishes , colors and
FIRE BOX - open masonry area built in a wall at the base of a chimney to house a fire
FIRE SCREEN - decorative screen of fire proof materials placed in front of a mantle firebox to control
FLOOR PLAN - scaled drawing , typically drawn at 1/4" to 1'0" scale, indicating walls, windows,
electrical outlets, interior finishes and furniture placement. See ELECTRICAL PLAN , ELEVATION ,
FLUTING - Grecian or classical design element with concave or recessed grooves running lengthwise
FURNISHINGS - artwork, accessories , area rugs , cabinetry , lighting, storage equipment, window
FURNITURE - any freestanding or custom-built article constructed to provide surfaces for sitting or
storing objects, i.e. armoire , dressers , chaise lounge , ottoman , sectional sofa , writing desk , etc
FURNITURE LAYOUT - position of furniture and accessories , including cabinetry , upholstery , area
rugs , plants, etc. planned for space, shown in relation to walls, windows, electrical, flooring
transitions, etc.
FURRED DOWN - dropped ceiling created with sheet rock, which is often used to conceal air vents or
FUTON BED - convertible frame utilizing a cotton -filled mattress, which can be used as a bed and a
sofa
GALLERY - narrow exterior porch or balcony ; succession of rooms to display art; rail with small wood
GILDED - an object with a thin overly of gold leaf added to its surface
GOTHIC ARCH - steep arched opening with a pointed center and gradual curve, no keystone used
GREEN DESIGN - sustainable design methods utilizing recycled , renewable and environmentally
friendly materials and design elements . i.e. energy efficient insulation, solar power, water
or end support on a bed, connected by side rails, i.e. carved wood, upholstered, iron, etc.
HERRINGBONE - fabric weaving technique created by alternating the direction in threading the loom
residential applications
the common areas of a subdivision or condominium complex. The homeowners' association is also
responsible for enforcing any covenants, conditions and restrictions that apply to the property.
HOME THEATER - electronic equipment system designed to create theater-quality images and sound
in a home
HUE - refers to an particular aspect of color i.e. Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, etc., based on the amount
INCANDESCENT LIGHT - light from a conventional bulb, halogen bulb or heat lamp
INDIRECT LIGHTING - glare-free ambient lighting on ceiling , walls or floors, encased and hidden
INLAY - to set one material into the surface of another creating a decorative pattern
INTERIOR DESIGN - the business of artistically decorating and furnishing the interior of any
structure
INTERIOR DESIGNER - Our definition of an interior designer is one who has attended a 4-year
certified interior design program including training in architecture, facility management, space
planning, interior fixtures, furniture, equipment specifications and finishes (FFE), furniture and textile
history, custom millwork, furniture, product, lighting and textile design, cost estimation, field
verification and surveys, project administration, programming, coordination, business ethics and
standards and ADA compliance, in conjunction with the ability to draft, execute floor plans, reflected
ceiling plans, elevations, perspectives by hand or digital CAD for formal presentation.
IRONWORK - decorative , hand-forged iron or cast iron grilles, screens , gates, grates, etc.
JACQUARD FABRICS - all fabrics intricately woven on a jacquard loom including damasks ,
KEYSTONE - originally the center structural wedge-stone of an arched opening, but may simply be
KICK PLATE - decorative plate installed at the bottom of a door to protect it from wear
KILIM - hand- woven rugs from the Middle East with geometric designs
LAMBREQUIN - decorative window treatment made of a wood frame formed around sides and top of
LAMP - light source i.e. bulb, also used to describe a light fixture
LAYOUT - defining space for a specific purpose; prior arrangement of design to be implemented
LEADED GLASS - decorative window created with small pieces of clear, beveled or stained glass or
LEAD TIME - amount of time required to receive a product once it has been ordered
LINOLEUM - natural flooring made of linseed oil, cork dust, wood flour, tree resins, ground
LOFT - urban, expansive warehouse space, which is often converted into living quarters ; platform or
LOVESEAT - upholstered seating designed to seat two, usually with arms and back.
MANTLE - decorative fireplace treatment installed surrounding the fire proof material of the fire box ,
typically created of wood, stone, marble, iron or a combination of materials, often composed of
MATERIAL BOARD - mat board presentation featuring images of furniture , accessories , lighting or
MIRROR - glass panel with a mercury backing applied to the back side, which reflects an identical or
sometimes distorted image, often framed in wood or encased in furniture, i.e. beveled mirror, etched
MONOCHROMATIC - of one color (dark to light) i.e. black & white color scheme encompasses black
MURPHY BED - mattress and frame, which folds down or is raised and concealed in a built-in wall
unit or cabinet
MURAL - scene or image painted or wallpapered onto a wall. i.e. trompe l'oeil
NAP - small raised, directional fiber ends found in woven fabrics and floor coverings
NATURAL FIBER - textiles made from animal or vegetable sources i.e. cotton , linen , silk , wool
NEWEL POST - decorative post used to support the beginning or intermediate intervals between
NICHE - recessed opening, often arched at the top, set in a wall with a shelf, often lit from the top to
ONE WAY DRAW - refers to drapery panel operations where the panels moves in one direction, either
left or right
OPAQUE - surface or material, which does not allow light to pass, i.e. black-out lining
function
PALLADIAN - denotes designs originally created by the Roman architect Andrea Palladio
PERSONAL STYLE - an eclectic interior furnishing style indicative of personal preferences and
lifestyle
PERSPECTIVE - three-dimensional drawing, with horizon line and single or multiple vanishing points,
PILASTER - decorative vertical architectural element , similar to a half- column , with a shallow
PLAN VIEW - scaled layout, typically drawn 1/4" to 1'0", showing all walls, windows , openings, door
swings , floor levels, ceiling angles, etc. with supporting documents in larger scale detailing
construction specifications
PO - Purchase Order
PORTFOLIOS - collection of images, color boards and other multi-media for presentation purposes
PORTIERES - window treatment used in cased door openings made of two separate drapery panels
REFLECTED CEILING PLAN - scaled drawing of a space indicating all ceiling fixtures and height
transitions.
REPEAT - vertical and horizontal numerical measurements relating to the pattern of woven or printed
fabric , distance from a point in a pattern to the same point where it occurs again
REPOUSSÉ - decorative metalwork outlined and embossed , hammered or punched on the back side
RESILIENCE - ability of carpet fibers to spring back to original shape after being crushed
RETRO - term used to describe styles and fashions from the past, most frequently to describe items
ROMAN SHADE - window treatment utilizing a series of fabric tapes, rings and cords stitched onto
the backside for raising and lowering, which draws up into horizontal pleats when raised
--- Flat Roman - when fully extended the shade is perfectly flat
--- Soft Fold Roman or Hobbled - when fully extended the shade retains soft folds down the full length
of the shade
--- Inverted Pleat Balloon - structured poufs where the heading is flat with uniformly spaced reversed
pleats
RUG - soft floor covering laid onto a floor but not permanently attached
RUN - woven or printed goods produced on a single machine at one time with the same overall
appearance
SATURATION - refers to the 'concentration' of a certain hue ; therefore, highly saturated colors are
vibrant, low saturation colors are muted and no saturation leads to a some shade of gray
SCALE – drafting increment used to measure and establish distances or relationships between a
specific volume of space and the architectural or interior elements , i.e. 1/4 inch equal 1 foot or 1/4" =
SCHEME - plan of action by an individual or group on a specific project, i.e. ideas, design, theme
SCREEN - multiple iron, wood or fabric hinged panels, which can be stood in a zigzag configuration;
privacy
SCREEN PRINTING - printing technique utilizing a frame and stencil , which are placed over the
fabric , dyes are applied through a squeegee and individual stencils are required for each color
SECRETARY - cabinet with a hinged surface opening forward onto pull-out supports revealing cubby
holes for writing materials with a bookcase, often with a glass door cabinet above
SECTIONAL - elongated upholstered seating created with multiple, connected units designed to seat
4 or more, usually with arms and back, often including a right-angle or chaise lounge section.
SIDEBOARD - case goods , often 36" high, used for serving food and storing china
SLATTED BLIND
- horizontal metal, vinyl or wood blind constructed with strings woven through the edge of each slat
and connected to a headrail , which enables the blind to be tilted up or down with a wand, pulley or
SOFA - upholstered seating designed to accommodate three or more people, usually with arms and
back
SPACE PLANNING - arranging fixtures, furnishings and equipment within a given space taking into
account traffic flow, furniture scale, use of occupants , handicap requirements, electrical, etc.
SPECIFICATION - detailed outline including all important and necessary criteria for construction or
implementation
STAINED GLASS - English: leaded windows of pale colored glass and jewels, often intricately hand
painted ; American: brightly colored, unpainted pieces of glass and jewels leaded together
TOILE - cotton or linen woven or printed documentary fabric , typically printed in monotone color on
TONGUE AND GROVE - wood joinery created by milling a tongue on the edge of a flat board, which
TORTOISE SHELL - hard, black-brown mottled shell of turtles and tortoises used as inlay or imitated
on other surfaces
TRACK LIGHTING - adjustable incandescent fixtures mounted along a electrified metal track installed
on the ceiling
TRANSLUCENT - semi-opaque surface, which diffuses light while partially obscuring a view, i.e.
TRANSOM - narrow, horizontal, hinged or fixed decorative glass window placed over a doorway to
create additional light, interest or to improve air circulation, often used in combination with sidelights .
TRANSPARENT - completely see-through surface or object, i.e. clear window , crystal prism, glass
paperweight.
needed
UNIVERSAL DESIGN - items and spaces which can be accessed and utilized by individuals regardless
UPHOLSTERY - materials used to make soft seating including wood or metal frames, eight-way hand-
VALANCE - shallow drapery treatment placed at the heading of a window , concealing hardware i.e.
VENEER - paper-thin wood sheets applied to the outer surface of furniture , which are often inlaid or
WAINSCOTING - materials applied to the bottom third of an interior wall, i.e. bead board , paneling ,
WALLCOVERING - flexible materials such as paper, vinyl, foil, fabric , felt , cork, carpet or veneers
applied to a wall
WALL HANGING - a tapestry , needlepoint or bound fabric panel hung on the wall, typically
suspended from an iron drapery rod and adorned with cording and tassels
WALLWASHING - glare-free ambient lighting installed at regular intervals around the ceiling or floor
rods
WINDOW COVERING - any decorative application to a window frame or pane of glass including
WORK ORDER - signed document specifying work to be completed, including details and illustrations
WORK SURFACE - any surface designed for accomplishing a task. i.e. counter
ZIGZAG - pattern formed by a continuous line, which turns sharply back and forth making a series of