ABC’s of Basic Furniture Terminology Mrs. Keeports Interior Design

Acanthus Leaf A carved detail of a common Mediterranean leaf

Apron A piece of wood that goes across the bottom of a chest

Ball Foot Furniture foot shaped like a ball; round

Bun Foot Furniture foot shaped like a bun; oval

Breakfront Piece of furniture, such as a cabinet or bookcase, with a central section that projects or curves out beyond the sections on either side

Burl A swirled, speckled veneer

Cabriole Leg Type of furniture leg that curves outward at the “knee”, then inward at the base or “foot”. Often seen in Queen Anne furniture

Camel Back Back of a sofa that has a “hump” or camel’s back in the center

Claw & Ball Foot Leg of a chair carved from wood that looks like a bird’s claw perched on a ball. Often used by Chippendale

Dovetail Type of joint that joins drawer corners together by interlocking them

Dust board A board separating a drawer space from the one above or below it. Found inside the cabinet.

Fiddle back Splat Splat of a chair shaped like a violin

Finial A decorative finish or ornament fount at the top of furniture such as a chair. Sometimes in the shape of an urn, flame, flower or leaf.

Paw Foot Base of a leg of furniture. Often carved to resemble and animal's paw

Gate leg A swinging leg that supports the leaf of a table.

In-Lay Wood Wood of a contrasting color or texture inset into a surface

Knee Out curved upper area of a cabriole leg

Knob turning Turning/carving done in a series of knob-like shapes on the leg of a piece of furniture

Ladder back A horizontal back and splat on a chair resembling a section of a ladder

Lyre A decorative design based on the classic Greek form of the harp

Patina A mellow quality of color and texture that furniture surfaces acquire with age

Pediment The ornamental top surrounding a tall piece of furniture often "broken" in the center

Pembroke Table Drop leaf table where central fixed leaf is twice as wide as the drop leafs.

Piecrust Table Circular tilt-top table with a raised rim

Reeding A series of rounded, closely set beads usually carved out of wood

Spindle Narrow wood strips on a hoop backed chair

Splat The piece of wood in the middle of a chair back

Stretcher Wood that connects the upright legs of a chair or table

Veneer A thin layer of wood glued on to a base piece of wood for decorative effect or contrasting color