Interior Design Glossary: A

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Abacus: The uppermost part of a column's capital.

Abrasion Wear: Marks on fabrics, wood, or metal caused by friction from use or handling.

AFF: Stands for above finished floor. In construction plans and contract documents, AFF refers to an elevation above the finished floor and serves as a benchmark with respect to other dimensions.

Abstract: A design style that uses general forms rather than detailed, realistic representations.

Acanthus Leaf: A leaf motif commonly used on furniture, especially brackets and legs.

Accent Colors: Contrasting colors used to enhance a room's color scheme.

Accent Lighting: Controlled lighting used to highlight interior decor or architectural details.

Accessible Design: Design that meets requirements for people with disabilities, considering elements like door widths, wheelchair mobility, countertop heights, and more.

Accessories: Decorative items such as books, plants, vases, lamps, and other objects.

Acetate: A synthetic fiber made from cellulose, often combined with other fibers for a luxurious feel.

Acknowledgment: Proof of an order which is received after a quote is confirmed. It verifies that the supplier has received the order and often includes the estimated delivery date.

Acorn (or Acorn Turning): An ornament resembling an acorn, used in Jacobean furniture, often as finials, pendants, or leg profiles.

Acrilan: A synthetic fiber used in Wear-Dated® fabrics.

Acroterium: An ornament originally found on the corners of Greek temple roofs, later used on furniture like secretaries and bookcases.

Acrylic: A synthetic fiber known for its strength, vibrant color acceptance, and plush texture.

Adam Style: A British neoclassical style from the late 1700s, known for its slender lines, refined shapes, and restrained ornamentation.

Adaptation: Furniture that captures the essence of an original design or period but with some variations.

Adelphi: A Greek term meaning "brother," associated with the three Adam brothers, famous for the 18th-century Adam style.

Afghan: A woolen coverlet or shawl, often knitted or crocheted in colorful geometric designs.

Aging: A technique used to create the appearance of wear on various surfaces.

Air Bed: A mattress with a vinyl or rubber core filled with air for support, often upholstered and cushioned.

Alcove: A recessed area in a room, historically used for beds, bookcases, cabinets, or dining groups.

Almery: A cupboard used for distributing food or goods, originally for pensioners or family retainers.

Ambry: A medieval church recess for storing goods, later evolving into a large cupboard with shelves.

Ambulantes: A small, portable table.

American Colonial: A term for American furniture from before the American Revolution, encompassing handmade frontier pieces and adaptations of European styles.

American Country: Simple, rustic designs from early American settlers, still popular today.

American Frontier (American Primitive): Furniture from the late 1700s to 1800s, made for the western frontier, often painted and made from local woods.

American Oriental: A machine-made rug with Oriental designs, mimicking hand-tied Oriental rugs.

Americana: Objects or decor items characteristic of American history or culture.

Amorini: Cupid ornaments found on Italian Renaissance furniture.

Angel Bed: A bed with a canopy but without front support.

Angora: Soft, long hair from the Angora goat, also known as mohair.

Aniline Dye: Dyes derived from coal tar, used for coloring fabrics and leather.

Aniline-Plus: A term for leather finished with an opaque pigmented dye.

Anthemion: A honeysuckle design from classical Greek motifs, referring to any stylized flower or leaf design.

Antique: An item, such as furniture or art, over 50 years old, though the U.S. government defines antiques as over 100 years old.

Antique Finish (or Antiquing): A finish applied to an object to give it an aged appearance.

Antique Satin: A lustrous drapery fabric, typically made from rayon/acetate blends.

Antron: A DuPont trademark for Type 66 nylon fibers, used in various fabric applications.

Apothecary Chest: A low chest with small drawers, originally used for storing herbs for cooking and medicinal purposes.

Apron: The wooden panel that connects the surface and legs of a table or chair.

Arabesque: Intricate decorative scrollwork featuring foliage, vases, fruits, or fantastical figures.

Arcade: A series of arches supported by columns or piers.

Area Rug: A rug that covers only a portion of the floor.

Arm Caps: Fabric coverings used to protect the tops of sofa and chair arms.

Arm Chair: A chair with both a backrest and armrests.

Armoire: A tall wardrobe with doors and shelves, often adapted for use as an entertainment center or computer workstation.

Arrow Foot: A cylindrical, tapered foot on furniture, separated from the leg by a turned ring.

Art Deco: A 1920s-1930s style known for its streamlined, geometric design, featuring wood furniture with chrome hardware or glass tops.

Art Glass: Decorative glass, including stained, beveled, fused, blown, etched, leaded, and cut glass.

Art Moderne: A modern design style from the 1925 Paris Exposition, characterized by angular and straight shapes with geometric patterns.

Art Nouveau: A decorative style from France (1890-1910), featuring ornate, flowing lines, as seen in Tiffany lamps.

Art Print: A reproduction of an original artwork.

Artisan Style: A style marked by fine, but not overly ornate, craftsmanship that reflects the maker's community or ethnicity.

Arts & Crafts (Mission Style): A style popular from the late 1800s to the 1920s, a reaction against mass-produced Victorian furniture.

Asian Style: A term for designs from the Far East, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, often seen in contemporary furnishings.

Astragal:Small, semi-circular molding applied to the glazing bars on cabinets and bookcases.

Attached Back Pillow: A non-removable pillow treatment commonly found on sofas, loveseats, and chairs.

Aubusson: A scenic tapestry used for wall hangings and upholstery, named after Aubusson, France.

Austrian Shade (or Austrian Blind): A decorative window treatment with a scalloped lower edge, which maintains its shape when raised, creating ruched fabric folds.