FURNISHING AND INTERIOR DESIGN GLOSSARY

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CABRIOLE LEG - curved leg swelling outward at the knee and inward at the ankle
CAD/CADD - computer aided drafting and design
CAFE CURTAIN - window treatment typical gathered, stationary, hung from rods and rings installed half-way in a window
CALENDARING - fabric pressed between hot rollers and cylinders to create a glossy finish
CALICO - inexpensive cotton or blend printed with small, bright patterns
CAMELBACK SOFA – sofa style characterized by a large symmetrical rise or "hump" located on the back
CANDELABRA - multiple candle holders supported on a decorative stand
CANTILEVER - projecting structural element supported on a fulcrum, held by the downward force behind the fulcrum
CANVAS - closely-woven cotton, linen or hemp woven fabric
CAPITAL - decorative top member of a column/pillar/pilaster (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Egyptian)
CARYATID - draped female figure supporting an entablature
CARPET - fabric for floors
CARPET NAP - the direction carpet pile tens to slant which affects color and shading effects
CARPET CUSHION - padding used underneath carpet or area rugs made of felt, urethane foam, rubber and other materials.
CARPET SEAM - a glued or taped joinery between two pieces of carpet which can be done by hand sewing, hot melt tape or latex tape
CARTOUCHE - ornate or ornamental shield or scroll, often used as decorative elements above door openings, in cornice treatments or in fireplace mantles
CARVING - adorn objects by cutting with sharp handheld instruments
CASCADE - short side panels of a valance often forming a zigzag SEE JABOT
CASE GOODS - furniture pieces primarily constructed of wood
CASEMENT CLOTH - semi-sheer, translucent or opaque novelty drapery fabric, typically in neutral color ways
CASEMENT WINDOW - vertical hinged windows with framed windows opening outward
CASEWORK - custom woodwork
CASING - trim around a window or door opening
CASHMERE -twilled fabric, originally from a Cashmere goat
CELLULAR SHADE - accordion-pleated window shade constructed of reinforced fabric bonded together
CHAISE LOUNGE - long reclining chair/sofa
CHALLIS - fine, soft, lightweight worsted cotton, wool or synthetic weave
CHAMBRAY -lightweight cottons or blends with a mottled appearance created by a colored warp and white filling yarns
CHANDELIER - ceiling mounted light fixture with arms branching out from a central support
CHARETTE - intense design exercise
CHECK - printed, dyed or woven small scaled squares or rectangles pattern
CEILINGS - affixed or suspended horizontal structural-plane utilized to protect individuals or objects from exterior weather conditions
CEILING TREATMENT - decorative details applied to a any type of ceiling
CHENILLE - novelty yarn featuring a raised, fuzzy surface and soft hand, French origins
CHEVRON - design formed by reversing twill weave with a "V" or inverted "V" pattern (herringbone/zigzag). Architecturally, 2D or 3D zigzag ornamentation on arches i.e. lateral, frontal, angled
CHIFFEROBE - large furniture wardrobe with drawers
CHIFFON - sheer, lightweight, plainly woven fabric made of twisted yarns
CHINOISERIE - style of art depicting Asian or Chinese motifs popular in France and England
CHINTZ - plain woven cotton printed in multi-colors GLAZED CHINTZ - resin finish applied through a heat pressure process creates a polished surface 
CHISELED - stone shaped by a sharp hand tool
CIRCA - best estimate of an exact date, circa 1892 / ca1892
CIRCULATION - spaces designated for movement by individuals from one area to another
CLAW FOOT - carved or applied decorative end on a furniture leg or structure resembling a animal claw
CLEAN-ABILITY CODE -manufacturers recommended cleaning procedures
CLERESTORY WINDOW - series of windows installed near the roof line providing privacy, additional light and air circulation
CLOSET - free-standing furniture, sheetrock enclosure or custom cabinetry implemented to store belongings fitted with utilitarian rods, drawers and racks
CLOTH BACKED - wall covering woven backing
COATED - coatings such as resin, wax, oil, varnish or lacquer applied to fabrics to provide water proofing or other decorative effects
COFFEE TABLE - a low table typically placed in front of a sofa
COFFEE TABLE BOOK - a large book featuring primarily illustrations
COFFERED CEILING - recessed panels created in a ceiling
COLONNADE - series of evenly spaced columns supporting arches see ARCADE
COLOR - a visual perception of light casting on objects in various hues, lightness and/or saturation
COLOR FASTNESS - ability to resist color changes due to exposure to sunlight
COLOR FLAG - small samples of various color ways offered by a manufacturer, attached to a larger sample showing the full repeat
COLOR PALETTE or SCHEME - a specific group or range of colors, which can be contrasting, complimentary or monochromatic, utilized in a project 
COLUMN - round or square slender pillars, which are often used as structural supports, but can also be purely decorative
COLOR BOARDS - presentation media to convey a specific design concept utilizing interior finish samples, photographs, etc. for a specific project
COLOR PALETTE - range or traits of various colors utilized in a space or project
COLOR TRENDS - introduction of popular color palettes
COLOR LINE - the full range of colors available in a specific product
COLORWASHING - decorative faux painting treatment with a solid base color and a secondary color/glaze lightly applied giving a weathered appearance
COLORWAY - a variety of color schemes created for a textile (fabric, carpet, wallcoverings, etc.) pattern
COMBED - manufacturing process for cotton and other staple yarns to align yarns and remove all foreign matter prior to spinning the yarn
COMBING - decorative faux painting technique where a tool with "teeth" is dragged through the wet paint to create striations
COMMODE - cabinet or chest, typically raised off the floor with legs, which can hold a wash basin or chamber pot
CONCEALED HINGE - hinge attached to a door and frame from the inside, making it invisible from the exterior
CONCRETE SURFACE - combination of sand, gravel and water formulated into light mixes suitable for interior usage
CONSOLE - carved decorative bracket for supporting a shelf, bust or cornice
CONSOLE TABLE - a table supported by ornamental consoles
CONTEMPORARY - designs with simple lines, curves and geometric patterns
CONTINUOUS FILAMENT - continuous strand of synthetic fiber extruded into yarn form
CONVERSATIONAL - fabrics depicting fanciful objects or scenes
COPING - protect cap on exterior wall sloped to shed water
CORBEL - architectural detail projecting from a wall, which extends upward and outward SEE BRACKET
CORDING - machine made or handmade decorative binding
CORDUROY - fabric woven with ribs, created by weft yarns guided over the fabric face, which are then cut
CORNICE - horizontal decorative band of various materials used as architectural details or in drapery treatments, often constructed of wood and padded with polyester fiberfill
COTTON - soft and absorbent fabric made from the seedpod of a cotton plant, composed of pure cellulose, frequently blended with other fibers SEE POLISHED COTTON
CORDUROY - durable, cottons or blends woven with vertical cut pile stripes or cords
CORINTHIAN - Greek column/capital detail representing acanthus leaves
CORNICE - horizontal molding projecting at the top of a wall
CORNICE BOARD - decoratively molded box installed above windows to embellish window and conceal drapery hardware
COUCH or SOFA - furniture pieces used for sitting or reclining
COUCHING - embroidery technique of positioning thread and attaching it to base fabric by sewing small stitches at equally spaced intervals
COUNTRY STYLE - characteristic of country living; rustic
COVERLET - bedspread
CRACKLE - surface finish creating a glaze of fine cracks SEE FAUX
CRAFTSMAN - individual skilled in the mechanics of a specific art, artisan
CREDENZA– linear wood chest often used in commercial interiors for computers or additional workspace or in residential interiors as a sideboard or buffet table
CREMONE BOLT - French surface mounted lock mechanism with a sliding rod, operated by a center knob, which moves the rod in opposite directions for locking into strike plates mounted on the frame
CREPE - fine woven fabric with a light crinkled surface made from high twist yarns
CRESTING - ornamental ridge at the top of a wall or roof peak
CREWEL - embroidery created by stitching various colored wool yarns over an unbleached cotton or linen base fabric, typically in floral motifs
CRINKLED - irregular puckered effect created by high twist yarns, chemical applications or mechanical means
CSI - acronym for Construction Specifications Institute
CROCKING - undesirable dye or color transfer
CROSS DYED - fabric dying technique where different fibers accept different dye baths based on the yarn and the dye utilized
CROSS SEAMS - seams created by joining carpet end to end rather than side to side
CROWN MOLDING - molding installed where the wall and ceiling meet or applied at the top of case goods
CRUSHED - irregular crinkled finish on a fabric surface
CRYSTAL - transparent quartz ornament; clear, brilliant cut glass
CUBICLE CURTAIN - institutional curtain fabricated to hand 14-16" above the floor
CUPOLA - roof with a dome shape
CURIO CABINET - slender display cabinet, typically with glass shelves
CURE - the final hardening of plaster or concrete
CURLY - undulating grain in wood
CURTAIN - partial or full length fabric screen
CUSHION - soft pillow or padding
CUT LENGTH - distance from top to bottom of drapery plus hems and top headings