Dezignare Interior Design Collective

ID Glossary of Terms

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ABODE - living quarters, residence. See APARTMENT, BUNGALOW, COTTAGE, DOMICILE, DWELLING, FARMHOUSE, HOME, HOUSE, LOFT, MANOR, MANSION, RANCH HOUSE, STUDIO, VILLA
ABRASION TEST
- material abrasion test measuring the ability of warp and weft yarns to withstand friction from wear
ABSTRACT - design elements showing general forms, rather than a detailed, realistic representation
ACANTHUS - ornamental design motif representing leaves of the acanthus plant, native to the Mediterranean
ACCENT LIGHTING - controlled and focused light used to accent interior elements or architectural details
ACCESS - availability of a building
ACCESSIBLE - approach and use of a building or structure by physically handicapped individuals
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN - dwelling meets prescribed requirements enabling the access and egress of handicapped individuals
ACCESSORY - decorative objects of art, lighting, plants, area rugs and wall hangings added to an interior space to enhance and reinforce the design style. See "DESIGN STYLES: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS & FURNISHINGS"
ACCORDION FOLD - tailored, pleated fabric with uniform exterior and interior appearance, i.e. free-standing, decorative screen, zigzag configuration
ACETATE - manufactured cellulose acetate textile fiber with fast drying, wrinkle and shrink resistant characteristics
ACOUSTICS - effect of sound produced in an enclosed space
ACRYLIC COATED - fabric coated with resin for waterproofing
A&D - Architecture & Design
ADAPTABLE DESIGN - accessible features changing the original use or appearance of the design
ADAPTIVE RE-USE - utilize an existing space or structure for a new purpose
ADHESIVE
- tacky material, like glue, mastic, paste or rubber cement, which secures one object to another
A-FRAME - steep, pitched roof forming a gable in an "A" shape
AIA - American Institute of Architects
ALBATROSS - woven fabric of wool or blends having a napped fleece surface
ALCOVE - recessed area adjacent to a larger space, typically enclosed on three sides, often with a lower ceiling, originally used for sleeping quarters
ALLIGATOR SKIN - fabric printed or embossed replicating the texture of alligator skin
AMBIENT LIGHT - measurement of the overall illumination of a room from reflected sunlight or overhead lighting applications
AMERICANA - materials and characteristics of American history, civilization and culture
ANALOGOUS COLOR - colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel, i.e. Red next to Orange, Blue next to Green. See COMPLIMENTARY, PRIMARY, SECONDARY, TERTIARY
ANDREA PALLADIO - exemplary architect of the Renaissance period detailing classical proportions and principles in architecture
ANGORA - yarn made from Angora rabbit hair
ANILINE DYE - fabric and leather dye made from coal tar
ANIMAL SKINS - animal skins or a reproduction of an exotic hide
ANODIZE - chemical process where a coating is etched onto metal
ANTI-BACTERIAL - fabric finish providing resistance to bacterial growth
ANTIQUE - all items, including accessories, art, buildings, furnishings, lighting, sculpture, statuary and other personal possessions, over 100 years old
ANTIQUE SATIN - satin weave fabric with slubs imitating 18th-Century spun Shantung silk
ANTRON - Dupont(R) brand of nylon fiber
APARTMENT - a set of related rooms in a single building or in a larger group of buildings with multiple units rented to tenants. See ABODE, BUNGALOW, COTTAGE, DOMICILE, DWELLING, FARMHOUSE, HOME, HOUSE, LOFT, MANOR, MANSION, RANCH HOUSE, STUDIO, VILLA
APPLIANCES - electrical or gas fixtures designed to perform specific tasks; refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, humidifier, microwave, compactor, purifiers, toaster, blender, etc.
APPLIANCE GARAGE - enclosed cabinet for kitchen appliances
APPLIQUÉ - decorations sewn onto fabric or added to an existing surface
APRON - horizontal member or decorative band mounted below a work surface, attached to side vertical elements for support and stability; raised panel below a window sill
ARABESQUE - pattern created by multiple design elements of interlaced flowers, foliage, fruit, urns and scrolls, often elaborate symmetrical plaster castings adhered to wood doors and framed wall panels
ARCADE - an open or closed series of arches supported by columns used along passageways, courtyards or porches
ARCHITECTURAL - motifs resembling three-dimensional architectural elements and ornamentation; pertaining to architecture
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE - specific or recognizable attributes in architecture. See "DESIGN STYLES: ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS & FURNISHINGS"
ARCH - originally wedge-shaped stones cut to span an opening; now seen as curved openings in doorways, windows, cabinetry or cornice treatments. See PALLADIAN ARCH, EYEBROW ARCH, GOTHIC ARCH
ARCHITRAVE - lowest section of an entablature, placed just above a column capital, or a series of moldings surrounding an opening
AREA - length x width of floor space. See CUBIC AREA
AREA RUG - custom, handmade, loomed rugs of woven textile of cotton, wool, silk, in any shape and size; manufactured floor coverings like nylon, plastic or other made of various synthetic fibers typically available in standard sizes such as 2 x 3, 3 x 5, 5 x 8, 8 x 10 ft. and so on.
ARMOIRE originally large cabinet or wardrobe used for storing clothes, often converted into entertainment or computer center
ART - objects of artistic expression, i.e. paintings, pottery, sculpture, etc.
ART GLASS - any form of decorative glass including beveled glass, cut, etched, hand-blown, leaded or stained glass
ARTISAN - an individual who creates. See CRAFTSMAN
ASID - American Society of Interior Designers
ASTRAGAL - small convex molding, sometimes with a repetitive beaded detail
ASYMMETRICAL - elements positioned off center to one another
ATTIC - room within the roof of a building
ATTIC FAN - large circulating fan mounted in the attic to move air throughout a building
AUBUSSON - French handmade area rugs and tapestries used for wall hangings, featuring figures and scenic landscapes, named after the village in France where they originated
AUSTRIAN SHADE - fabric shade with vertical rows of swags from the head rail to hem
AWNING - lightweight roof structure typically constructed of fabric or metal installed over an exterior opening, such as a doorway, porch or balcony to provide shelter
AWNING STRIPE - heavyweight canvas with evenly spaced stripes of contrasting colors, often using white with one other color
AXIS - single or multiple imaginary or drawn lines bisecting major interior or architectural components of a space
AXMINSTER CARPET - hand-loomed carpet with a smooth cut-pile surface

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