Glossary

Art Deco

A style period from the 1920's and 1930's featuring geometric patterns and lines.

Cabriole Leg

An elegantly sinuous double curved tapering furniture leg that curves outwards and then inward usually terminating in an ornamental foot. Often used in Queen Anne and Chippendale dining chairs.

Castor

A small wheel designed to allow furniture to be moved; used on chairs and antique case goods.

Chrome

A metal that is typically used as decorative plating over another metal to give protection and a bright metal shiny finish.

Console Table (aka Hall table)

A small or narrow table designed to be set against (or fixed to) a wall or the back of another item of furniture

Down

The fine, soft fluff from the breasts of geese or ducks; considered the most luxurious filling for seat cushions and bed pillows.

Fiberfil

Polyester filling material or cushion wrap.

Frame

The basic structure of an upholstered chair or sofa; usually made from a hardwood or engineered timber.

Grain

The natural patterns in wood created by the direction of fibres or the texture of the surface of leather.

Hand Rubbed Finish

An oil finish applied to a piece of furniture by hand or finishing process on specialised leather.

Higlop

High gloss polypropylene.

Inlay

Decorative technique of inserting contrasting wood veneers or materials to create a feature or design.

Kiln Dried

Timber dried in a kiln to a specified uniform moisture content in a controlled environment. A high quality product that has the advantages of rigorous testing, being less likely to have any distortion, warping or bowing from the drying process and more likely to remain warp free.

Lacquer

A synthetic, durable fast drying surface coating used to finish and protect wood, marble and high density wood boards. Available clear and a range of colours.

Laminate

Composite material often used on bench or table tops; provides a heat resistant, wipe clean surface. Or a composite of timbers laminated together to create a strong and stable engineered timber product.

Aniline Leather

This leather made from the most carefully selected hides and is therefore expensive. Dyes are impregnated into the skin and the surface remains natural, with little or no protection. Minor imperfections and variations in shade can be clearly seen. Aniline leather will inevitably become soiled in use.

Semi-aniline Leather

Full grain leather with a small amount of pigment in the surface coating or a clear finish to semi-regularise the hide. This clear coating gives the soft leather extra protection and increased wearing characteristics.

This process is designed to combine the natural feel and appearance of Aniline with a good level of protection. Skins are selected with only slight markings and the dye is impregnated. A light protective coating is then applied to give some degree of resistance to staining; this makes the leather a little stiffer to the touch than Aniline.

Pigmented Leather

A layer of pigment is applied to cover most of the natural imperfections which exist in every skin. The grain is then embossed onto the skin and a protective coating is applied, which gives good wear characteristics, high light resistance and consistent colour. It is less soft to the touch than Aniline, but is particularly easy to care for.

Corrected leather

Corrected leather that has been treated to provide a more uniform appearance. This process may include stamping the leather texture on the surface and a more heavily pigmented finish.

Antiqued Leather

This leather has a two part surface pigment process: after the furniture has been made up, part of the top coat is rubbed off by hand to expose the contrast colour underneath, creating the effect of ageing.

Nubuck Leather

This type of leather is dyed and its surface is buffed to give a soft velvety feel, smoother than suede. Nubuck is not so suitable for family use, as it is particularly prone to staining and soiling, but does provide a superb luxurious feel!

By-cast Leather

This is made from the lower split or suede of the leather which is built up with a thick surface coating to resemble the surface of top grain leather. As the surface is easily damaged by scratching and stretching it is not suitable for seating surfaces. It is occasionally used in cost effective suites on the back and side panels.

Regenerated Leather

A leather based material made by grinding leather scraps and mixing it with bonding agents. The coloured surface is often embossed with a leather-like texture Hard wearing and economical. Also known as ‘bonded leather’

Faux Leather

see ‘PU’

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock resulting from the metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks - usually limestone or dolomite rock. This metamorphic process, requiring immense pressure and heat, causes a complete re-crystallization of the original rock into an interlocking mosaic of crystals. The temperatures and pressures necessary to form marble, alter the textures and formations present in the original rock. It is prized for its beauty, durability and ability to be polished to an exceptional smoothness. The patterning of marble veining varies enormously from delicate networking to boldly graphic. Colouration varies according to the mineral composition of the stone.

Travertine

is a type of calcareous stone characterised by a porous structure with exceptional durability. The process was brought about by thermal springs with a wealth of limestone together with sources of heat coming from volcanic action. Once sliced from the mountain and worked, these pores are filled with polyester filler. The size of these fills can and will vary with every individual piece making each piece unique. Some voids can occur along the edges of tables, appearing as chips out of the marble, but are merely a reality of this stone.

MDF

Medium Density Fibreboard; engineered wood panel made from wood fibres and adhesive exposed to heat and pressure.

Modular

Interchangeable upholstered sectional seating units used to create different seating arrangements.

Nesting Tables

Multiple tables in graduating heights that allows them to be stored one under another; usually in sets of three.

Occasional Furniture

Small items such as coffee, console and side tables that are used as accent pieces.

Ottoman

An upholstered low stool or footrest.

Patina

The natural finish on a surface that results from use, age and polishing.

Particle Board

Engineered wood product manufactured by bonding small wood particles with an adhesive and pressed into sheets.

Pedestal Table

A table supported by one central base rather than four legs.

Plywood

Manufactured wood made from a series of alternating layers of wood veneer with the grain perpendicular to each other for strength. Often used in quality lounge frames to provide added strength in high stress areas.

Polycarbonate (PC)

A durable transparent plastic with high impact resistance. Not suitable for outdoor use and long term exposure to UV (due to yellowing) unless UV stabilisers are added.

Polypropylene (PP)

A highly resilient colour fast plastic that is resistant to heat changes and chemical damage. Gradually crazes with UV exposure unless UV stabilisers are added.

Polyurethane (PU)

PU is a versatile plastic polymer that can be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid. In furniture applications it used to make cushioning foams, PU fabric, surface coatings such as varnish and adhesives.
PU fabric (Faux Leather, fake leather, pleather, leatherette) has a similar look and feel to leather but is made from coatings of polyurethane on a fabric backing embossed with a hide-like grain. PU fabric is breathable, durable, soft, flexible and easy to clean.
Cushioning foams made from PU can be made to any ‘sit’ from firm to very soft. High resilience (HR foam) is used in lounge suites as it offers superior support and surface softness.

Reproduction

A replica of an original piece or design.

Slipcovers

Removable fabric covers for upholstered furniture.

Stainless Steel

A steel alloy that is resistant to rust, staining and corrosion.

Tallboy (aka Highboy)

A tall chest of drawers, sometimes mounted on legs.

Tempered Glass

Safety glass treated with heat during manufacturing that breaks into square pieces instead of shards or slivers. Often used for glass table tops.

Upholstery

The covering including padding, springs, webbing, foam and fabric on furniture.

Varnish

A hard transparent protective finish that is usually glossy but can made satin or semi matt with flatting agents. Types of varnish include shellac, polyurethane varnish

Veneer

A thin decorative layer of wood, usually of fine quality, that is applied to a heavier surface of lesser quality solid wood or particleboard. Veneers are used to match and balance grain and create inlay and banding effects.
Bookmatched veneer is a technique where the veneer leaves are alternately folded out so that the grain patterns mirror each other.

Vinyl Wrap

Flexible thermal laminate wrapping bonded under heat and vacuum pressure to underlying MDF, solid wood or particleboard. Durable and low maintenance.

Webbing

Strips of elastic or woven fabric used to provide support for upholstered arms, backs and seats.

Wicker

Term given to furnishings woven from willow, reed and rattan.