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

2. Acanthus Leaf
A carved detail of a common Mediterranean leaf

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

4. Ball Foot
Furniture foot shaped like a ball; round

5. Bun Foot
Furniture foot shaped like a bun; oval

6. 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

7. Burl
A swirled, speckled veneer

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

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

13. Fiddle back Splat
Splat of a chair shaped like a violin

14. 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.

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

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

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

18. Knee
Out curved upper area of a cabriole leg

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

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

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

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

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

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

25. Piecrust Table
Circular tilt-top table with a raised rim

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

27. Spindle
Narrow wood strips on a hoop backed chair

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

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

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