Interior Design Glossary: N

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Nailheads: Decorative brass nails used to attach fabric or leather to a frame, outlining design elements on upholstered pieces like sofas.

Nap: The texture or design direction of a fabric, such as in corduroy or velvet.

Natural Finish: A transparent finish that preserves the original grain and color of wood, typically applied with oils, varnishes, or similar materials.

Natural Grain Leather: Leather with an unaltered, natural grain.

Neo-Classic (or Neoclassicism, Neoclassical Style): An elegant and simple design style featuring motifs from ancient Rome and Greece, popular from the late 1700s through the 1800s, and associated with the Sheraton, Hepplewhite, Empire, and Federal periods.

Neo-Gothic: A revival of Gothic detailing in the 1700s and 1800s, incorporating elements like Gothic arches into rococo furniture and later applying Gothic ornamentation to neoclassical forms.

Nesting Tables: A set of tables of varying sizes designed to be stored one under another, typically consisting of three tables.

Neutral Color: Colors like white, black, gray, and tan that blend easily with other colors.

Niche: A recessed area in a wall used for displaying sculptures or other accessories.

Niello: The art of decorating metal by incising designs and filling the incised lines with an alloy.

Night Stand: A small table or cabinet with drawers placed beside a bed.

Nubuck Leather: A top-grain, aniline-dyed leather that is buffed for a soft nap, though it is particularly susceptible to stains.

Nulling: A carved ornament detail that projects, similar to gadrooning.

Nylon: A synthetic yarn made from polymers, known for its excellent durability and wearability.