Interior Design Glossary: S

S

Saber Leg: This term describes a leg that features a sharp curve in the classical style; it is also commonly referred to as a scroll-shaped leg. Typically, saber legs are reeded.

Sabot: A French word for the gilt-bronze "shoe" that is found at the bottom of furniture legs.

Saddle Seat: A chair seat made from wood that has been hollowed out at the sides and back to mimic the pommel of a saddle.

Saltire: A straight, X-shaped stretcher used on chairs or tables.

Sateen: A cotton fabric designed to imitate satin, characterized by a smooth, silky finish on one side.

Sauvage: A two-toned or contrasting color effect applied to leather furniture.

Sawbuck Table: A table supported by an X-shaped frame that can be either plain or scrolled.

Scale: The size of an object, or the comparison between the size of a drawing and the actual size of a piece.

Scallop: An ornamental case piece featuring curves, commonly shaped like a scallop shell.

Scandinavian: At the 1930 Stockholm Exhibition and the 1939 World's Fair in New York, the wider world first encountered the simple, clean, and lightweight forms of Scandinavian furniture. The style is marked by quality craftsmanship combined with mass production, often utilizing bent plywood.

Scatter-Back Sofa: A sofa equipped with loose back cushions that can be rearranged.

Sconce: A light fixture affixed to a wall, often tall and narrow, typically designed to hold a candle.

Scoop Seat: A wooden chair seat that has been hollowed out to contour to the body.

Scotchgard: A registered trademark of the 3M Company for a fabric protector that repels stains from water and spills.

Scroll: Decorative and supportive elements shaped like a scroll or curl, which connect to posts, rails, and each other on many traditional brass headboards and footboards.

Scroll Foot: A foot designed in the shape of a spiral line, not fully articulated above.

Seat Rail: The framework that supports the seat of a chair and connects the legs together.

Secondary Color: The colors orange, green, and violet are classified as secondary colors.

Secrétaire à Abattant: A writing cabinet featuring a fall front that rests on a chest of drawers or a small cupboard.

Secretary (or Secrétaire): A drop-leaf desk that typically sits atop a base of drawers, often containing slots and cubbyholes for organizing papers.

Sectional: A furniture piece similar to a sofa but composed of several sections. Sectionals may be curved or straight and can have two, one, or no arms. The sections can be used together or, in some cases, separately.

Seersucker: A lightweight fabric characterized by a puckered surface and striped pattern.

Segmental: A less-than-semi-circular, unbroken pediment with a sharply ending curve.

Seignorail Chair: An imposing high-back chair designed for the master of a house.

Self-Deck: To cover the frame area of an upholstered piece of furniture beneath the seat cushions with the same fabric as the body, as opposed to using muslin or another neutral fabric. This is typically seen only on higher-end furniture.

Self Storing Leaves: Leaves that can be stored within an extension table.

Selvage: The finished edges of a lengthwise grain that help prevent raveling.

Semenier: A tall, narrow chest with seven drawers, often referred to as a lingerie or similar type of chest.

Semi-Aniline Leather: A type of top-grain leather that is aniline dyed and coated with matching pigment and/or other topical finishes for added protection and to even out the color. It is also known as aniline-plus or protected aniline.

Semi-Attached Back: Back cushions that are secured with a zipper or seam to the inside back of upholstered furniture like sofas or chairs.

Serpentine: Two curves that evoke the movement of a serpent, often seen on the fronts or tops of case pieces.

Serpentine Front: A wavy curve on the front of a desk or chest.

Serrated: A zig-zag or saw tooth ornament, one variation of a notched dentil.

Serving Table: A long, narrow table with drawers for storing items such as silverware and linens.

Settee: A long bench or seat with a back and arms, designed to accommodate two or more people, originally popular in the 1600s.

Set-Back Arm: An arm that is positioned back from the front edge of the seat.

Settle: A wooden bench with a high back and solid arms, often featuring drawers or a hinged seat that conceals storage space; it was originally brought to America by the Pilgrims.

Shaker: A minimalist furniture design featuring straight, tapered legs and woven-strap chair seats. This style originated in the mid-1770s from an American religious sect known as the Shakers, celebrated for their exceptional design, craftsmanship, functionality, and beauty.

Sham: Historically, a cover placed on top of a pillow; today, it refers to a decorative cover that fully encases the pillow.

Sheaf-Back Chairs: Chairs with spindled backs that converge in the middle back through a wooden piece, flaring out again at the bottom; the design resembles a sheaf of wheat.

Sheet Set: A collection of sheets that includes flat and fitted sheets, along with a standard pair of pillowcases. Twin sets have one pillowcase, while king and California king sets feature king-size pillowcases.

Shellac: A resinous varnish obtained from the lac insect, commonly used in japanning.

Sheraton: A formal design style that evolved from Hepplewhite. Features of Sheraton include delicate straight lines, tapered legs that are usually turned rather than square, and intricate inlay and veneer work.

Shield Back: A chair with a back shaped like a shield.

Shirring: A technique of gathering wide fabric along both long edges to create a soft effect, often used to accentuate the curve of a sofa or other upholstered piece.

Shoe: A projecting element extending from the back rail of a chair seat into which the base of the splat is fixed.

Shoji Screen: A freestanding Oriental-style screen, commonly used as a room divider.

Shutter: Generally a louvered or flush wooden or vinyl frame resembling a door, placed on each side of a window. Shutters serve various purposes, including protecting windows from storms, filtering or obscuring light, and serving as decorative accents.

Side Chair: A term usually used to describe an armless dining chair or a small-scale armless chair designed to be positioned against a wall when not in use.

Sideboard: A serving piece featuring drawers and/or open shelves for displaying items like plates, crystal, and silver.

Silk: A natural fiber sourced from the silk worm, known for its softness, smoothness, and luster, leading to the phrase, "smooth as silk."

Sinuous Springs: Also referred to as "S coils" or "zigzag wire," these springs are utilized in place of coil spring units in upholstered pieces like sofas.

Sisal: A natural, durable fiber frequently used in rugs.

Size (Sizing): A solution applied as a finisher for fabrics, which stiffens the surface and offers protection against wear.

Skirt: A piece of fabric at the bottom of a sofa, loveseat, or chair that drapes in a manner reminiscent of a woman's skirt. In case goods, the term refers to the panel connecting the surface and legs of a table or chair.

Slant-Front Desk: A piece of furniture or chest of drawers that includes an upper section designed as a writing desk, with a hinged lid slanting at a 45-degree angle when closed.

Slat Back: An early American chair featuring horizontal slats.

Slats: Wooden boards forming the base structure to support box spring units within their frames. They are also used in headboards and footboards with wood rails and in bunk beds to hold the mattress in place instead of a box spring. Slats may also serve as a design feature in furniture construction, commonly seen in mission and arts and crafts styles.

Sleeper (or Hide-A-Bed): A sofa, loveseat, or chair that can convert into a bed, also available in some sectionals.

Sleepy Hallow Chair: A large upholstered chair with a hollowed seat, a high back, and solid low arms.

Sleigh Bed: An American adaptation of a popular French Empire design featuring a high scrolled headboard and footboard that resemble the front of a sleigh.

Slip Match: An effect created by placing sheets of veneer side-by-side to form patterns, such as diamond, sunburst, herringbone, and checkerboard.

Slip Seat: An upholstered chair seat that can be removed.

Slipcover: A fabric cover used on cushions or on fully upholstered pieces like sofas and chairs.

Slipper Chair: A low, armless upholstered chair that often features a skirt.

Slub: An uneven section within a yarn that imparts a rough texture to the fabric.

Sofa: A long, upholstered seat with a back, designed to accommodate three or more people.

Sofa Bed: A sofa that can convert into a bed, typically featuring a fold-out mattress.

Softwood: Lumber from coniferous trees, including species like pine, spruce, and cedar.

Soldered Iron: A type of iron that undergoes melting at a lower temperature for joining metals together.

Sole: The bottom of a piece of furniture, often a platform that connects legs or posts.

Solid Wood: Lumber that is milled from one piece of wood, not engineered or manufactured from wood particles or fibers.

Sofa Table: A long, narrow table positioned behind a sofa or against a wall.

Soundboard: A large, flat surface that enhances the sound quality of a musical instrument by amplifying the vibrations produced by the strings.

Sourwood: A hardwood with a fine, close grain. It is often used for furniture and cabinets.

Space Saver: A piece of furniture designed to occupy minimal space or can be compacted for easy storage.

Spanish: A style characterized by heavy proportions, often featuring intricate carvings, rich woods, and dark finishes.

Splat: The central part of a chair back, often elaborately designed and decorative.

Splat Back: A type of chair back featuring a central splat.

Spindle: A narrow, elongated wooden piece, commonly found in furniture like chairs and beds.

Spindle Back Chair: A type of chair featuring vertical spindles in the backrest.

Spindle Leg: A furniture leg shaped like a slender, turned post.

Spoondrift: A type of decorative edge on furniture, resembling a rounded edge.

Spoon: A type of ornamental carving resembling a spoon, often seen on furniture.

Spoon Foot: A leg style that resembles a spoon’s shape, often used in the Chippendale style.

Spreaders: Pieces used in furniture construction to connect and stabilize legs or support structures.

Spring: A device that provides elasticity or tension in upholstered furniture, enhancing comfort and support.

Spring Back: A support system that enables the back of a chair or sofa to adjust to the user’s movements.

Spring Seat: A seat constructed with springs for added comfort and support.

Spring-Tension: A mechanism that utilizes springs to maintain tension and support in upholstered pieces.

Sprung Back: A backrest constructed with springs for enhanced comfort and flexibility.

Square: A term used to describe furniture with right angles, emphasizing symmetry and balance.

Stacking Chair: A lightweight chair designed to be stacked for easy storage.

Stain: A substance applied to wood to change its color or enhance its grain.

Stain Resistance: A feature of fabric or material that makes it less likely to absorb stains.

Stain-Resistant Fabric: A type of fabric treated to resist stains and spills.

Standard: Refers to the general size or dimensions of furniture pieces, often used for comparisons.

Stave: A curved wooden piece that forms the sides of a barrel or similar object.

Steamer Trunk: A large, rectangular travel trunk designed for transporting clothing and personal items, often featuring compartments.

Stein: A beer mug or tankard, typically made of ceramic, glass, or metal.

Stemware: Glassware featuring a stem, typically used for serving wine.

Stenciling: A decorative technique that involves applying paint or ink through a cut-out design.

Step-back Cupboard: A cupboard featuring a series of shelves or drawers that step back from the front to create a tiered appearance.

Stile: A vertical frame piece in a door or panel.

Stool: A seat without arms or a back, designed for one person.

Stool Seat: A type of seat featuring a rounded shape or a curved surface for comfort.

Storefront: The front area of a retail space designed for displaying products.

Storage Ottoman: An upholstered footrest or table that includes hidden storage space.

Stout: A term used to describe a heavy or thick piece of furniture.

Straight Edge: A technique used in woodworking to create smooth, even edges.

Strap: A piece of fabric or material used to reinforce or decorate furniture.

Strapwork: A decorative technique involving interlacing strips of material.

Stretcher: A support element connecting the legs of a piece of furniture for stability.

Style: A distinctive design or manner of making furniture.

Stylized: A simplified or abstracted form of design.

Sublime: A term used to describe furniture or design that inspires awe or beauty.

Sublimation: A printing technique used to transfer designs onto fabrics.

Succession: The act of following or replacing one item with another.

Suffolk: A design style characterized by simplicity and functionality, often seen in country or farmhouse furniture.

Sustainable: Referring to materials or practices that can be maintained without depleting resources.

Swag: A decorative drapery style that hangs in a curve or loop.

Swatch: A sample of fabric or material used for color and texture comparison.

Swan Neck: A style of furniture leg or design resembling a swan’s neck.

Swivel Chair: A chair that can rotate or pivot, providing ease of movement.

Symmetrical: A design characterized by balanced proportions and equal dimensions.

Synthetic: Referring to materials or substances that are artificially created rather than naturally occurring.

System: A coordinated arrangement of furniture or design elements.

Syth: An archaic term referring to a scribe or copyist.