(pronounced foh-BWAH)

A French term meaning “fake wood.” You’ve probably heard the word “faux” plenty of times: faux pearls, faux fur, and faux finishing. Faux bois is a version of the latter: a trompe l’oeil effect where one paints something — usually with an advanced technique of specialized glazing and staining — to make it appear as if it is made out of wood or wood marquetry.