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Furniture Dictionary

BASE RAIL
The part of the wood frame lowest to the floor.

CONTRASTING WELTS
When welts are either a different color or material than upholstery material (See welts).

CORNER BLOCKS
Triangular pieces of wood used to rein- force joints in the wood frame.

DOUBLE DOWELED
Two wooden pegs inserted into both sides of a frame to make for stronger construction.

DOWELS
Wooden pegs used in quality furniture to hold frames together. They are best used in pairs and glued when pounded into place.

POLYSTYRENE
A man-made synthetic used to simulate wood. Often used to reproduce expensive wood trim. Can also be used to make frame parts or entire frames.

FRONT RAIL
The wood frame part lowest to the floor , and at the front of piece.

GLIDES
Buttons of plastic or metal applied to bottom of legs to make furniture easier to move around.

GLUE BLOCKS
Triangular pieces of wood used to rein- force joints. Glued in place after being applied to frame.

JACQUARD (Fabric)
A method of producing elaborately patterned weaves on a mechanical Jacquard loom on which the roller gives design instructions instead of musical notes.

PEDESTAL BASE
Base placed under the center of a piece of furniture.

RAIL
Lowest part of the wood frame. There are front, back and side rails.

SPINDLE
A round piece of wood, usually turned or carved. Used as exterior wood trim on arms and stumps in Early American styling.

STAIN-RESISTANT FINISH
Fluorochemical finishes which retard soil and increase stain resistance on fabrics. Trade names: Scotchgard, Zepel, ACT.

STYLE
Description of the general design category of furniture. For example: Early American, French Provincial, Traditional, Contemporary, Modern are all “styles.” Consult design reference books for the definitions of periods and specific styles.

TUFTING
The process of drawing a cord through a deep cushion giving high puffs of padding and small low valleys where .the cord is drawn — shape of the tuft such as “diamond,” “biscuit,” or “square.” Buttons are often attached to cords to highlight the tufting design.