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.

S

sateen

(pronounced sa-TEEN)

A type of fabric that is similar to satin but a bit more sturdy. Commonly used in bedding and to line drapery panels or outerwear, it has a glossy, silky surface texture. Generally, sateen is made of cotton, but sometimes rayon is used as well. The fibers are woven with a sateen weave, meaning that there is one vertical thread woven for every four or more horizontal threads. Since more of the threads are exposed to the surface, the resulting fabric is smooth like satin.

sconce

(pronounced skahnts)

A sconce is type of light fixture. In the “old days” before electricity, a sconce was a wall bracket that supported a candle or group of candles. It’s still that, but its definition has expanded. When gas became a light source option, the fixture’s mechanics morphed, and when electricity became the norm, they transformed yet again. Now there are about as many types and styles of sconces as there are stars in the sky: contemporary, traditional, themed, utilitarian, indoor, outdoor, LED, fluorescent, up-lit, down-lit, shallow (ADA-compliant), and ridiculously ostentatious. The options are innumerable.

scope creep

(pronounced skohp creep)

We love this term. We usually use the word “creep” to describe the weirdo at the supermarket who keeps leering at us. In this instance, however, we’re referring to the other kind of creep: the one that describes what action your pantyhose takes the moment you don them. So scope creep describes how a client’s demands start to creep beyond the original scope of work. Maybe the contract states that your firm will be producing construction documents only, but the next thing you know the client is asking you to attend the weekly project management meetings, and, “Oh, can you also find some artwork for the employee cafeteria?” That’s scope creep, and it’s a slippery slope if not handled with professionalism and tact.

See also: scope of work

scope of work

A phrase that pretty much means what it says. When you sit down to write a contract or letter of agreement for a client, contractor, and anyone that you are doing business with, it is vital that you define the “scope of work,” i.e. who is responsible for what. Will you be drawing the cabinet details, or will the millwork subcontractor? Will you be taking inventory of the company’s existing 126 offices or will their facility manager? Will you be hanging the client’s priceless artwork or will they hire a specialist? Figure this kind of thing out early and avoid headaches, broken relationships, and legal troubles later.

scratch coat

(pronounced skrach koht)

In the process of plastering interior and exterior surfaces, the scratch coat is the first coat. This wet plaster is "scratched" with a trowel, comb or soft bristled brush to roughen up the surface and give it “tooth,” which ensures a stronger mechanical and chemical bond between it and the next layer of plaster.

screed

(pronounced skreed)

Used as a noun, a screed is a tool that is drawn over freshly poured concrete to strike off portions of the concrete surface so that it can be leveled to the proper elevation or plane. Used as a verb, to screed is to use a screed in the manner in which we just described above. Precise screeding is vital during building construction as a poorly set concrete floors can cause innumerable problems when finishing out interiors.

scroop

(pronounced skroop)

No, we didn’t make this word up. We learned it from textile expert and P&C Contributor, Deb Barrett. Scroop is the crisp rustling or scrunching sound that occurs when one handles certain cellulosic fabrics, especially silks treated with particular organic acids. If you’ve ever worn or have been around someone who has worn a taffeta dress, you know exactly what we’re talking about.

secrétaire

(pronounced suh-KRAY-tehr)

See escritoire.

secretary

(pronounced SEH-kruh-ter-ee)

See escritoire.

section

(pronounced SEK-shun)

Of course, you can use this word as a verb (think of sectioning an apple before gobbling it up), but we’re talking about the noun variety here. As you might imagine, a section is a slice through something, albeit imaginary. It is a visually descriptive representation of what would appear if one literally sawed through it. A sectional drawing is just one more way that we can communicate three-dimensional ideas in a two-dimensional way. They can be used for presentations as well as construction documents.

So who uses them? Just about everyone. Interior designers (cabinetry and custom furniture), architects (buildings and construction details), structural engineers (parking garages and bridges), manufacturers (furniture, light fixtures and, frankly, any product that isn’t directly created by nature). Heck, even the medical field use them to virtually dissect through bodies, exploring for blood clots, tumors, blockages, and a myriad of nasty, life-saving stuff. How do you like them apples?

self welt

(pronounced sehlf WEHLT)

An upholstery term describing the practice of finishing the seams of an upholstered piece with a welt covered in the same fabric as the item itself. This method tends to make the seam seem (couldn’t resist!) to disappear, which can either focus attention on the fabric’s pattern or create a more understated piece overall if a solid fabric is used.

selvage

(pronounced SELL-vehj)

You will also see this word spelled “selvedge”, but it means the same thing. In general, the term means a border or an edge, but when it comes to the design industry, it gets more specific, and it’s related to textiles. When someone says “selvage” they are probably talking about the edge of a textile roll or bolt that is meant to be cut off and discarded because it was necessary only for the manufacturing process and not meant to be used in application. However, some items, like rugs or tablecloths or the like, have an edge that is of different or heavier threads than rest of the fabric, and sometimes it’s even different weave. This edge is also called a selvage. Though it most definitely can be decorative, the primary purpose is to prevent raveling of the main weave.

Serapi

(pronounced seh-RAH-pee)

An informal term for 19th century carpets woven in northwest Persia's Azerbaijan province, specifically in the Heriz district. In the United States, these highest quality of the Heriz carpets are called Serapi. Designs are very geometric, and construction tends to be high quality with between 80 to 100 knots per square inch.

settee

(pronounced seh-TEE)

In our research, we’ve seen this term used to describe a variety of furniture pieces, all of which are used to seat more than one person. We’ve found the word settee can refer to anything from a diminutive sofa, a wide chair, a love seat, and a long bench, with and without a back. Some feel settees must have exposed wood legs, and some think they must be fully upholstered. In other words, it’s apparently a loose term.

settle

(pronounced SEH-tehl)

Similar to a settee in that it’s a piece of furniture that seats more than one person, a settle is a little more archaic and a little less comfortable. The term refers to a long, wooden bench with arms and a tall, solid back that can be elaborately carved or incredibly plain. Often the area underneath the seat is enclosed so that it can be used for storage.