This section serves to expand your regular vocabulary. What separates the men from the boys (or the women from the girls, if you want to equalize things) is v o c a b u l a r y. We cannot stress this point enough. People who have a larger vocabulary have been shown to make more money and get promoted more often.
A verb meaning to diminish and tone down the intensity of something. Also, to obscure by using defensive pleas and justifications.
Example: In an attempt to smooth over the costly mistake and regain trust, Michael and rest of the project team tried to palliate their actions with explanations and apologies, but the experienced developer refused to accept their excuses and stated clearly that she would never hire their design firm again.
This velvety word rolls off the tongue, and it has two different meanings, each having a subtle difference. On one hand it means tangible, or capable of being sensed or touched. On the other hand, it simply means perceptible or noticeable.
Example: The firm’s extreme stress level was palpable even to the janitorial service personnel. If they didn’t meet the Friday afternoon deadline for the new hotel bid package, then the development company – their only current client – was sure to fire them come Monday.
Did the “-oply” give this word’s Greek origin away? “Pan” means “all” (think pandemic, pandemonium, etc.), and this word is most commonly used to refer to a grand or extraordinary array or display.
Example: Sandy had resisted taking her client to NeoCon because she knew that the panoply of furniture and finish options would overwhelm him, ultimately slowing down the project due to indecision.
Parlez-vous français? Oui ou non? Even if you don’t speak French, think of their word “parlez” to help you remember the English word “parlance.” It means talk or speech, as in formal debate. But it also means a way of speaking (using particular words) or a manner of speech (otherwise known as an idiom), especially related to a particular job or subject.
Example: Robert, the new graduate, hated to admit that he occasionally could not follow the parlance of his two bosses, both of whom had been in the architectural field for 30-plus years.
An Anglicized version of the French word for “passed.” It’s used to refer to an object, style, person, or idea that is old fashioned, out of style, or antique and that usually was quite popular at a prior time.
Example: Frederick sighed heavily when he realized his new client’s stubborn, 80s-obsessed husband refused to get rid of his black lacquer bedroom set. He thought, “How passé can you get?”
This term, which looks on first glance looks like it could be a type of fancy European pastry, can essentially have two meanings, neither one of them dealing with dough. First, it can be used to mean a combination or hodge-podge of artistic work that comes together to make one all-encompassing composition. The second meaning is that of an artistic endeavor that imitates the style of work that has come before it. It is this latter definition that is most commonly seen in the design world.
Example: Every time Barbara drove around the new housing developments in her neighborhood she flinched at the pastiche. Once a peaceful, wooded, suburban retreat comprised of 1930s bungalows, the area was quickly being overtaken with ridiculously designed, cheaply executed NeoClassical McMansions.
Another word with dual meanings that can easily confuse…
1. To provide aid or support for, usually in the sense of being a frequent or regular customer or client. Example: The furniture storeowner was thrilled that local decorators frequently patronized her shop with their clients.
2. To adopt an air of condescension toward and treat haughtily or coolly. Example: Unfortunately, many showroom employees in Design Centers tend to patronize design students instead of embracing them as the future specifiers that they are.
This descriptor is a derivative of the word pedant, a designation which has a few meanings: 1) one who ostentatiously shows off his education or intelligence; 2) one who teaches in a very formal and precise way; and 3) one who is unimaginative, believing his opinions are the only important ones.
Example: Joan came to dread the weekly staff meetings since her pedantic boss, the principal architect of the firm, insisted on flying off on irrelevant tangents that added nothing but ego-inflating insights into his past accomplishments.
A Latin-derived adverb meaning in or for each year. In other words, a cooler way to say yearly.
Example: After Jack accepted the position as buyer for the antique auction house, he was careful to negotiate his salary to include a standard per annum bonus.
This adverb should be easy to remember because it means by way of contrast or on the contrary, both of which contain the “contra” part anyway.
Example: The twins have quite different aesthetics. Malcolm prefers projects with strong Beaux-Arts elements and decorative flourishes; per contra, Evan only designs with clean lines, simple shapes, and almost no ornamentation.
This multi-syllabic word can be used as a noun, but you’ll see it most as an adjective. Though it originated as meaning one who follows the Greek philosopher Aristotle, we use it today to mean traveling / walking / moving from place to place.
Example: Not only did the already peripatetic sales rep have to cover her state, but she now also had to cover her entire sales region while the manufacturer looked for her former colleague’s replacement.
This French term is fun throw in once in a while, especially if you want to get someone’s attention. It a dramatic way to refer to and spotlight the most important item in a collection, program, series or grouping: the main attraction.
Example: Scott was a master when giving presentations to clients because he would always skillfully build up their interest and then wow them at the end with what he knew was their design project’s pièce de résistance.
Absent the French accent of sister word piqué (see DESIGN SPEAK for that definition), pique can act as either a verb or a noun. As the former, it means to irritate, offend and awaken bitterness in, especially by provocation. As the latter, it describes a feeling of resentment or injured pride.
Example: The architect’s pointed remarks about the overall direction of the project really piqued the rest of the design team and actually caused the project manager to storm off in a huff.
You will sound so very smart using this word as it refers back to ancient Roman times. As a noun, a plebeian is a member of the Roman plebs, the general body of Roman citizens that were distinguished from the patricians, or privileged class. In everyday use, the word is used to describe those who are considered common, vulgar, or downright objectionable.
Example: Though she knew she shouldn’t, Victoria couldn’t help but consider her fellow designers plebeian as they all preferred TV over reading and had never traveled far beyond the state’s borders.
Whether you spell like the French or pronounce it like the Americans, it means the same thing: someone who is insincere or has an affected air about them. In the same vein, a poseur is also someone who professes to be what he or she is not. “Oh, daaahhling – you are a poseur just like that chap in John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation!”
Example: Veronica hated that her boss and showroom manager made an idiot of himself by being such a poseur in front of their most important client, who happened to a extensively-traveled, well-educated designer who could see right through John’s ridiculous façade.
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.
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The Sustainable Furnishings Council and World Market Center Las Vegas are proud to once again bring you One Good Chair Design Competition. This year’s theme, “Minimum/Maximum,” embraces the idea that smart design can both preserve natural resources and amplify human delight. The focus of the competition is the lounge chair or similar casual seating—simple objects to assist the body in repose. Commercial office chairs and other specialized functions are not appropriate, but otherwise you have as much latitude as you can explain and illustrate in a convincing way. Go here to find out more and get designing.
