Design Speak lets you in on a some industry lingo so that you will sound oh-so-smart. From abbreviations to acronyms to phrases to trendy words, we’ll do our best to cover it, and we’ll do it in language you’ll understand.
This elegant term literally means “goat's leap” in Italian. Though it describes the graceful ballet move that a dancer makes when he or she extends a leg in midair and strikes the other leg against it, it also describes the more static state of another type of leg: a furniture leg. Cabriole is the descriptive term for a poised, curved furniture leg that ends in an ornamental foot. This detail is prevalent in the style of the first half of the 18th century: Chippendale, Queen Anne, Early Georgian. Rather than straight and stiff, a cabriole is sinuous and supple. The leg curves out around the knee and inwards towards the bottom, narrowing towards the foot, which could be a club, a claw-and-ball, etc.
Arguably a very strange term, calendaring is a finishing process where fabric is run through rollers at high temperatures and pressures with the goal of polishing its surface, making the fabric more lustrous and smooth. For example, calendering is used on moiré fabrics to produce their watermarked effect. A calendering finish is not long lasting, however, and can be damaged with regular use over time, as well as by water.
Though caning refers to the corporeal punishment still meted out by the Singapore government, we’re referring to something much more benign and certainly more desirable. First off, cane is what you can probably guess it is: a long stick – a version of what your grandpa uses to keep his balance. But cane (as opposed to “a” cane) derives from the tough stems of certain plants, and it is commonly referred to as rattan. The bark (what’s able to be peeled off) of the rattan – that is then intricately and artfully woven together to form a very strong mesh material – is called rattan cane webbing. (The skills required to make cane webbing are some of the same skills required to make basketry.) As the word cane can also be used to refer to various reeds and tall woody grasses, an array of types of cane webbing exist beyond rattan. But what is its purpose? For years, cane webbing has been used to create attractive furniture seats and backs. The webbing is made into rolls and then it is cut and bent around wooden frames and secured. Depending on the desired look, the webbing can be bleached for a more uniform appearance or left natural for a variegated appearance and durable performance.
A newly popular term that has nothing to do with leaving sooty scuffmarks on your grandmother’s cream-colored carpet. This virtual footprint is a bit less tangible in that you can’t take a Polaroid of it for evidence in a crime scene, but it’s no less real. The term refers to the amount of carbon dioxide that one contributes to the atmosphere, thereby potentially contributing to global warming. Every time you hop in a vehicle or use electricity, you generate some carbon dioxide emissions. Though it’s almost impossible to avoid making “footprints” altogether, you are capable of lessening your impact by taking a variety of actions, none of which we’re going to go into here as it’s time to tippy-toe to the next definition.
Example: By rollerblading to work everyday, Ricardo, an AutoCAD whiz who spent hours in front of a computer, was able to accomplish three things: save money by not having to pay for parking; fit exercise into his otherwise sedentary lifestyle; and reduce his carbon footprint on the planet.
As you might imagine, this new term is a combination of the words carbon and anorexia. It was coined for the purpose of describing some people’s extreme views and actions related to environmental / green / sustainable issues. Just as those with anorexia nervosa can be fanatical in their need to exercise or deprive themselves of food, those with carborexia can be obsessive in their effort to reduce their personal carbon footprint or the amount of waste they generate.
No need to show us your identification because the kind of carding we are referring to here is the cleansing, stretching and disentangling procedure used in the production of wool. In order to prep for spinning into yarns and, subsequently, fabrics, wool fiber strands must be pulled apart and stretched side-by-side either by hand or by machine.
In days gone by, this was a small building used for storing and caring for horse-drawn carriages and coaches. As true horse power was replaced by mechanical horse power, these structures housed more modern types of vehicles. Many of the structures that are still in existence today have been converted into extra living space, auxiliary to a main house.
This term can describe several items that at first appear to be unrelated. Firstly, when related to Egyptian culture, it describes a frame around a Pharaoh’s name, which is represented through hieroglyphics. In the decorative arts and jewelry industry, it can describe a variety of metal representations of Egyptian-inspired medallions having hieroglyphic symbols. Lastly, in a more Western, European context, the word means an ornamental tablet. The tablet is often inscribed or otherwise decorated and then framed with elaborate scroll-like carving. In the example we show, the cartouche is painted on the wall, rather than carved.
The general term for furniture that supplies interior storage space, such as cabinets, credenzas, bookshelves, desks, dressers, buffets, etc. In the contract furniture world, manufacturers refer to office configurations as casegoods as to differentiate them from open office furniture solutions. When most people think of casegoods, they usually think of furniture made of wood, but casegoods can also be comprised of metal, plastic and glass.
Most of us think of that creepy film around sausages when we hear this word, but in the A&D world it just means the trim / molding installed around windows and doors that covers the framework seam and, actually, helps all the components stay put. The casing is what gives doors and windows their style. It can be thin and plain, thick and ornate, or rough and rustic. It can whisper Asian undertones, scream French provincial, or bellow American West. So many choices…
Also known by its acronym CAC, it rates a ceiling's efficiency as an obstruction to airborne sound transmission between adjacent closed spaces (such as offices) when the dividing partition does not extend up to the structural ceiling. A ceiling system with CAC > 35 is high performance, while one with a CAC < 25 is considered low performance.
Originally, a cellarette was the deep drawer designed into sideboards that was used as wine or liquor storage. This drawer was typically lined in metal and had compartments for holding individual bottles as to prevent breakage. This drawer evolved into its own separate cabinet for the storage of spirits and glassware. As a separate unit, the cellarette was typically small and movable as they were often kept under the center portion of a sideboard or side table and rolled out for use.
No, this isn’t some kind of wrestling maneuver invented by the Scots. It’s simply a graphic decorative motif consisting of stylized ribbons and braids forming interlocking knots that seamlessly flow into one another. You might occasionally see the name “Everlasting knot,” which is the exact same thing. Those the Celtic knot is most often attributed to the early Celts, the style can also be unearthed in both Egyptian and Norse relics. Many people associate profound symbolism with the Celtic knot, believing it embodies the common thread of the universe: everything flows into everything, as there exists neither a beginning nor an end.
To bridge the gap between the student / educational community and the professional / manufacturer community of the interior design world, and not to die of boredom while we do it.
Shop Through Us
When you enter Amazon through our humble little website, a wee portion of your purchase – no matter what you buy – helps to keep PLiNTH & CHiNTZ up-n-running. The best part: It doesn't cost you anything extra and it helps us keep your access to PLiNTH & CHiNTZ free.
Mannington Commercial'sTx:Style Design Challenge 2012 has named a winner: Katie Henry of One Eleven Design in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her design, Stacked Up, was chosen by public vote from among four finalists. Katie will create a full carpet collection to be manufactured and marketed by Mannington, and will receive a total purse of $7,000 and a trip to the International Furniture Fair in Milan. GO HERE to see the winning design.
Enough Said T-Shirts
Created by a couple of Milwaukee interior designers with a quirky sense of humor, a healthy dose of sarcasm and a heaping serving of caring. Check out Enough Said to find fun t-shirts with a message.
