Décor Dictionary

When I first got into the Interior Design & Décor industry I had a lot of “Say what?” moments. Usually, upon seeing the dumb expression on my face, my colleagues /employers would help me out with the meaning of the word that had me so perplexed. So, to save you some head-scratching, we are compiling a Décor Dictionary explaining all the design & décor lingo, jargon and terms you might be unfamiliar with. We will build the glossary gradually, adding one or two words every week.

For the full Dictionary post click on the relevant words:

Antique:   applies to an object or piece of furniture at least 100 years old. Its rarity, condition, utility, or other unique features plays a big part in whether it is desirable as a collectors’ item. Well looked after antique pieces often appreciate in value over time and is seen as an investment, unlike the mass-produced contemporary furniture pieces of today.

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Armoire:   is the French term for a large loose-standing two-door cabinet, usually containing shelves, hanging space, and sometimes drawers below. Generally used for storing clothing or household items, interestingly enough  it was originally used for storing arms. Made popular in the late 17th century by Louis XIV, the period pieces are often extremely ornate and imposing whereas contemporary armoires are less ostentatious.

Bespoke:   is the British word for “custom” – it is also a term you will often hear in relation to furniture.  This means to order a furniture piece individual and specific to your requirements and taste. Custom-made furniture usually takes a handful of weeks to manufacture.

Chinoiserie:   is a French term (meaning “Chinese-esque”) referring to a style in art and decoration reflecting Chinese designs or motifs. A popular style of decoration in Europe since the mid-to-late 1600s, Chinese influences were often mixed in with the more European Rococo style. The Style often features decorative Chinese latticework, lacquer and gold, bamboo, and wallpaper & ceramics featuring orient-inspired toiles, Chinese landscapes and foliage.

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Feng Shui:  pronounced ‘Fung Shway’ – literally translated means ‘wind-water’. It is the applied art of achieving balance and harmony in an environment. Space is planned and objects are placed in such a way as to facilitate the free flow of good energy. Hence the name ‘wind-water’.

Graphic Art:   is a broad term encompassing mainly two dimensional artwork created on a computer. Graphic artists or designers typically use design software to create this graphic art. Graphic artworks regularly feature abstract shapes, typography and illustrations manipulated by the artist. The artwork is generally reproduced through litho, digital or screen printing onto textiles like paper, fabric and vinyl. Because graphic art is easily reproduced it is more affordable and therefore accessible to new art collectors. The “Keep Calm and Carry On” print is an example of a popular graphic artwork. (As defined by Bianca from The Tailored Life)

Hollywood Regency Style:   originated in the golden age of Hollywood – the 1930s. Film sets at that time were created with highly theatrical accents which were often brightly coloured. William Haines, Hollywood actor turned interior designer, combined the elaborate film set styles of the time with Neo Classical elements, Art Deco, Modernism and Chinoiserie. Dorothy Draper, considered the first real Hollywood interior decorator, was simultaneously decorating over scaled and brightly coloured interiors. Both of these designers created the foundation for Hollywood Regency style which has since had various revivals. (As defined by Kim from In A State Of Luxe)

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Houndstooth:   is a duotone textile pattern characterized by broken checks or abstract four-pointed shapes that originated in the Scottish Lowlands. Historically Houndstooth was woven in wool, with a rather small pattern scale, in the traditional black-and-white colourway. Today, it is woven or printed in a wide variety of fabric, scale and colour. A large pattern scale Houndstooth is considered more contemporary.

Ikat:   is essentially a dyeing technique, similar to the tie-dying process, known for its use of bright, bold colours. It was originally produced in several pre-Columbian Central and South American cultures, however the technique has been adopted by many eastern countries. Ikat weaving styles and pattern vary widely and many design motifs may have ethnic or symbolic meaning.

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Prêt-à-porter:   is actually a term often used in the fashion design and retail industry meaning “ready-to-wear” or “off-the-rack”. When using this term in relation to décor, usually furniture, it indicates that the particular collection or item is not a custom-made item (i.e. something that is going to take 6 weeks to manufacture) but a ready-made, off the floor item that can be purchased straight away.

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Recycle:   This means that an object has been made redundant (it has not other use) and can be trashed or re-purposed. The item is then taken, broken down and reinvented to emerge as a brand new item. A clever South African designer by the name of Heath Nash has designed and produced many works of art from useless recycled objects & trash like plastic bottles.

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Roman Blind:   is a window treatment consisting of a length of material which, when drawn up by eyelet-channelled cords, gathers into horizontal folds from the bottom. This form of window shade also provides an uncluttered appearance can be customed to fit either a contemporary or more traditional interior.

Scandinavian Design: is synonym to simplicity and elegance. It is a style greatly influenced by the Modernist & Bauhaus movements and characterized by functionality and affordable mass production without sacrificing quality or eliminating grace and beauty (IKEA is an excellent example). It is said that long winters and few hours of sunlight inspired Scandinavian designers to create bright, light and practical environments with clean lines. Scandinavian Design makes use of a lot of form-pressed wood and light woods as indigenous timber are in abundance. Famous Scandinavian designers include: Verner Panton, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Aarnio, Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen. (As suggested and defined by Ewelina)

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Surface Design:   describes the design of repeating and non-repeating patterns that can be printed or applied to a variety of  ’surfaces’ – for example: fabric, wallpaper, paper products, crockery, etc. (As suggested and defined by Kristen from Design Kist)

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Upcycle (or up-cycle):   Upcycling is not a new trend, yet to many, it is now gaining visibility due to the fact that the current nostalgic trend is driving it forward. Upcycling involves taking an unwanted item (such as an old piece of furniture) and creating something new with it, thus increasing its value as a bespoke item, yet still retaining the items sense of origin. Vintage furniture is being given all sorts of treatment with paint and the like, changing it from undesirable to totally desirable and trendy, thus increasing it’s value. An excellent example of upcycling is the pieces created by Katie Thompson of Recreate. She (re)creates items made from old farm metal bath tubs, buckets and pails and old leather suitcases, which she converts into ottomans and seats.

Vintage:   is defined as something that is 20 years or older. The term “vintage” is actually a wine-making term used to define a season’s harvest at a specific vineyard. Like wine, an furniture item described as “vintage” should also speak of the era in which it was produced. Vintage can mean an item is of a certain period of time, as in “vintage 1950′s” but it can also mean (and probably always should) that the item exhibits the best of a certain quality, or qualities, associated with or belonging to that specific era. (Defined with a little help from Ruby Lane)

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Voile:   is a soft, sheer, lightweight fabric, usually made of 100% cotton or cotton/synthetic blends. The term derives from French, meaning veil. Available in a range of patterns, colours and different thicknesses and textures, voiles are often used as curtaining. Sheer voiles are frequently paired with heavier curtains as it lets in natural light whilst retaining privacy but can also be used on its own for a lighter summery feel.

Window Treatment:   To “dress” or “cover” a window opening.  It is interchangeable with the term “Window Coverings”  (only difference is that it sounds posh and professional). Window coverings can be custom designed to specific measurements and styles.  It can be either functional or decorative, or both. Window coverings / treatments includes blinds, curtains, shutters, drapes, fabrics, hardware and tiebacks applied to the window opening and adjoining wall space.

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If you want to know the meaning of a certain décor / design related word or if you have a suggestion, please don’t hesitate to contact us!