Armoire – A large cabinet or wardrobe, with two doors and shelves on the interior for storing clothes or electronic equipment.
Banding – Inlay or marquetry that produces a color or grain contrasting with the surface it decorates.
Bomb̩ Р(French) An outward swelling. Applies to commodes, bureaus, and armoires.
Bowfront – A cabinet front that curves outward to appear convex.
Break Front – A bookcase or china cabinet made of three vertical sections, the center one projecting forward beyond the two end sections.
Buffet – A small cupboard. The French definition of the word is a small sideboard, a place for keeping dishes.
Bun Foot – A flattened ball, or bun shape, foot.
Bureau – In America, the name refers to a bedroom storage piece commonly known as a dresser. The French word, however, originally designated the red cloth covering for a writing desk, and, later, was used to refer to the desk itself.
Cabriole – A graceful, curving type of leg that swells outward at the knee and inward at the ankle.
Camelback – A curved sofa back characterized by a large central hump.
Credenza – A sideboard or buffet.
Dowel – Headless pin, usually made of wood, used in furniture construction.
Eight-way, Hand-tied Springs – Each coil spring is hand-tied into place with twine, interlocking it with other coils. Using a set of knots, the coils are tied front to back, side to side, and diagonally across.
Etagere – A set of open shelves for displaying small objects and sometimes having an enclosed cabinet as a base.
Gateleg -Table A table with a folding leaf upheld by a leg that swings out like a gate. Popular in Colonial America.
Highboy – A high chest of drawers, deriving its name from haut bois, which in French means high wood.
Motion Upholstery – An upholstered piece with reclining or inclining seating features.
Occasional Tables – A term applied loosely to any small tables, such as coffee tables, lamp tables and consoles.
Patina – A surface texture produced by age, wear or rubbing.
RTA – Ready-to-assemble. Term applied to furniture sold unassembled or only partially assembled.
Secretary – A drop front desk, often with book shelves above and drawers below.
Settee – A long seat or bench with a high back and often with arms.
Sideboard – A dining room piece with a long flat top for serving and usually equipped with drawers or cabinets for storing china.
Trundle Bed – A low bed, which, during the daytime, is rolled under a larger bed.
Veneer – Thin sheets of wood applied to the surface of furniture for decorative effect.
Windsor Chair – A chair with a wooden or rush seat, pegged legs, and a back of turned spindles.
Wing Chair – An upholstered chair with a high back, stuffed arms and wing-shaped projectors at head level.
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