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Glossary

Absorption rate

Refers to the rate at which dyes are absorbed into fabric. High absorption rate dyes are more eco-friendly because they require less rinsing, reducing water waste.

Advantage Fabric

We offer stain-resistant Advantage Fabrics for nearly all of our upholstery options. With Advantage Fabrics, stain-resistant properties penetrate individual fibers, not just the surface. That means spills don't get a chance to sink in before you wipe them away. Liquids actually bead up, making them easy to clean.

Aniline leather

A type of leather treated with aniline (an organic compound) to produce a very delicate, soft, supple hide. Aniline conditions and protects without coloring the hide, letting the leather breathe and making it more comfortable for use.

Annealing process/annealed

Treatment that alters the physical properties of a material by heating it to extreme temperatures, then slowly cooling it. For glass, annealing relieves internal pressure and creates a strong, durable panel. For steel, the process enables custom shaping, stamping and forming.

Arts & Crafts

A reformist aesthetic movement extending from the late 19th century through the early 20th century. Also known as Mission style, Arts & Crafts challenged the tastes of the Victorian and Industrial eras by focusing on hand craftsmanship and affordability in design.

Axminster weave

A machine-weaving method long used in the Netherlands to make high quality carpets that stand up to commercial use. Axminster weave rugs feature a backing woven into the rest of the carpet for durability and longevity. Our shag rugs are made using Axminster weave.

BambooJoineryTM

Developed by designer Maria Yee, BambooJoineryTM uses bamboo's unique fibers to create a clean, refined structure of interlocking joints. The silky smooth bamboo is strengthened by this construction, which requires no nails or screws. As a result, the bamboo resists cracking, splitting and rattling.

BambooTimbreTM

Used in our bamboo tables and storage pieces, BambooTimbre™ features planks constructed from individual pieces of bamboo. These pieces are layered and bonded for extraordinary durability and resistance to warps and cracks. Although BambooTimbre is incredibly hard, it's also remarkably flexible. This flexibility allows the material to be shaped into beautiful forms while maintaining its structural integrity.

Bench seat cushion

A single sofa seat cushion that spans the width of the seating area and is typically connected to the sofa frame.

Blend-down cushion

An upholstered cushion comprised of a foam core wrapped with a down and feather blend. The wrap creates a softened, inviting silhouette with slightly rounded corners on the cushion.

Bouclé

A looped, highly textural fabric woven from curly knotted yarn.

Box-edged

A seat front that's square (not curved) across the front of the piece, and features either welting or a sewn seam on the top and bottom of the cushion.

Butcherblock

Often used to create chopping blocks, tabletops and cutting boards, butcherblock is formed by bonding together thick, laminated strips of unpainted hardwood.

Button back

Refers to sofas, chairs or pillows that feature fabric-covered buttons sewn through upholstery surfaces and tied down. The placement of buttons and the resulting folds produce geometric patterns.

Carved pile

A three-dimensional design created by cutting into the pile of a rug, around a pattern or between different colors.

Chenille

An extremely soft upholstery fabric created from tufted, velvety yarns.

Comfort sleeper

A sleeper sofa that takes up less space than standard sleepers. Easy to unfold, it features a solid folding plank under the mattress instead of a metal crossbar.

Consistent granite

Because it contains the same pattern throughout, this type of granite is easier to join at the seams and can fit next to other slabs without losing a sense of continuity.

Cut pile

Refers to a carpet or rug with fibers that are cut instead of looped. The cuts are made either during or after the weaving process.

CygnusTM mesh

A strong, flexible material developed specifically for the Eames Aluminum Group chairs produced by Herman Miller®. CygnusTM mesh promotes airflow while evenly distributing weight across the back and seat of the chair.

Danish Modern

From the 1930s to 1970s Danish Modern design evolved, and overlapped with other movements of the 20th century including mid-century modern. With its sleek lines and warm wood accents, the impact of Danish Modern design still resonates today.

Double-wrapped cushion

A foam cushion insert for chairs and sofas, which is wrapped with a double layer of synthetic filler to soften the boxy look of the foam block inside the cushion.

Dovetail joinery

A joint that consists of a tapered, fan-shaped "pin" part that slips into a matching recess in the opposing part. Dovetail joinery is often used in drawer and cabinet construction.

Ergonomic

A characteristic found in furniture design or architecture that maximizes productivity by minimizing operator discomfort and fatigue. With regard to furniture, "ergonomic" often refers to a shape or configuration molded to human contours.

Fiber

Spun synthetic fill for furniture cushions and throw pillows.

Fiberboard

An engineered wood product made from wood fibers. Types include particle board, medium-density fiberboard and hardboard.

Flared arm

An upholstered arm that arches away from the sofa or chair. Flared arms are used in both traditional and modern sofa and chair styles.

Float glass

A glass sheet made by floating molten glass on a bed of molten tin. This process results in extremely flat, parallel surfaces, and offers a high level of light transmission and visibility. We feature float glass in our Top and Base program.

Floating panels

A technique often used for furniture with large panels (e.g., cabinets). Floating panels are set into grooves instead of being glued into place. This method allows for the wood to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity, without the risk of cracking or splitting.

Frosted glass

Translucent material produced by acid-etching or sand-blasting a clear sheet of glass on its face-down (or interior) surface. Frosted glass is useful for transmitting light while partially concealing and blurring images (for example, dishes in a cabinet). We feature frosted glass panels in our Top and Base program.

Full-grain leather

High quality leather prized for its natural beauty. Because this type of leather isn't altered beyond the removal of the hair, each piece retains the natural markings and texture of the hide.

Granite

A non-porous, non-absorbent natural stone used in tabletop surfaces. Our Top and Base program features two distinct types of granite: tropic brown granite from Brazil and Mesabi black granite from Northern Minnesota.

Hand block-printing

An ancient Indian printing process that involves applying dyes to textiles using carved wooden blocks. Characterized by bold colors and ornate patterns, block printing is widely used to decorate linens.

Hand-knotted

Refers to rugs crafted by individually tying each piece of yarn. The meticulous process can take up to six months.

Hand-tooled

Refers to an object formed, worked, or decorated by hand with a tool.

Hand-tufted

Refers to a technique in which an artisan uses a hand-tufting tool to hook each piece of yarn. Hand-tufted rugs feature a backing used to anchor the stitches.

Hand-welded

Refers to metal or steel welded by hand, rather than by machine.

Hand-woven

Refers to textiles produced on a hand-operated loom or woven by hand.

Hardwood

Wood harvested from trees that lose their leaves in the fall (deciduous), such as maple, walnut and cherry. Hardwood contrasts with softwood, which comes from evergreen trees. As its name implies, hardwood is on average denser and harder than softwood.

Ipe

A dense wood with a smooth surface, natural luster and rich, interwoven grain similar to rosewood. Highly resistant to the elements, Ipe is durable and low maintenance, making it ideal for decking and outdoor furniture.

Joinery

Refers to the act of joining together pieces of wood to make furniture, cabinets, and other items. "Joinery" can also refer to the woodworking joints themselves.

Knot

A knot is formed when yarn is looped around the warp threads in a rug.

Lacquer finish

A finish applied to seal and protect wood or steel. Lacquer allows the natural steel color or wood grain to show through. A lacquer finish does not require waxing or polishing.

Laminate

A material constructed by uniting two or more layers of material between coats of plastic and sealing them with heat or pressure.

Loom

The basic frame structure used for weaving. Two horizontal beams hold warp threads under tension so weft threads can be woven into them.

Loose back

Refers to a sofa or chair with cushions that rest against the back of the furniture piece.

Left-arm or right-arm

Refers to the side on which the arm is located when you're facing the sofa. These specifications are useful to keep in mind when considering a sectional configuration.

Makenge baskets

Baskets hand woven from the roots of the makenge bush by women in the Upper Zambesi River region of Zambia. Makenge baskets are traditionally given to women as wedding gifts, and become treasured family heirlooms.

Memory foam

A temperature-sensitive foam developed by NASA and widely used in mattresses and pillows. Memory foam molds to your body, then slowly recovers once pressure is removed.

Micro-fabrics

Stain-resistant fabric composed of a blend of synthetic yarns or threads. Micro-fabrics may include micro-suede, micro-velvet, micro-bouclé and micro-chenille.

Mid-century Modern

Refers to an aesthetic movement from roughly 1933 to 1965 that included objects and structures characterized by simplicity, beauty and functionality.

Mitered corners

A mitered corner is a joint made by beveling two pieces of wood or steel, usually at a 45 degree angle to form a corner (typically of 90 degrees).

Modern Scandinavian

The Scandinavian design movement emerged alongside Modernism in the 1930s. The countries that impacted the design world included Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Iceland. Scandinavian modern design is noted for beautifully made furniture cast in organic shapes inspired by nature, and mainly crafted from wood.

Mortise-and-tenon joinery

A simple and strong woodworking joint used to unite pieces of timber, usually at an angle of 90 degrees. One piece features a precisely cut cavity, or mortise. The other features a peg-like projection, or tenon, cut to fit tightly into the mortise. The joint may be glued, pinned, or wedged to lock it into place.

Nano-TexTM

A technology that builds spill and static resistance into individual fibers of a fabric. Nano-TexTM retains the fabric's natural softness, and lets it breathe naturally. We offer Nano-Tex as a mattress covering.

Nap

Refers to the face of the rug or fabric where the knot ends have been cut.

Natural cowhide

Like leather, cowhide is a natural skin. However, natural cowhide retains the animal hair so that each piece displays a unique color and pattern. We feature natural cowhide in our upholstery collections.

Natural steel

Left unpainted, natural steel has a dark gray color that varies from piece to piece, much like the grain patterns in wood. Our natural steel is hand-selected and hand-welded. Each finished piece is lacquered to protect against rusting.

Oil-and-wax finish

A traditional protective wood treatment, an oil-and-wax finish enhances the natural beauty of fine wood while sealing in moisture.

Omalon® Foam

A brand of memory foam, Omalon® uses a patented densification process that results in excellent initial comfort and luxurious feel, even in firmer mattresses. Due to the strength of its engineered elliptical cells, our latex foam mattress made with Omalon won't compress under body weight over years of use.

Pile

Refers to the height and thickness of the fibers that create the weave for a rug or a carpet.

Plissé cloth

Fabric featuring a puckered finish created by a treatment of caustic soda.

Polycarbonate/recyclable polycarbonate

A strong, lightweight, flexible plastic often used as a shatter-resistant substitute for glass. Polycarbonate is 100 percent recyclable.

Powder-coat finish

A finish applied to metal furniture that's designed to withstand extreme temperatures and protect against rust and fading. Powder-coating is applied as a dry powder and then cured under heat to form a hard finish that's more durable than paint.

Quartz composite

A synthetic, engineered material made up of natural quartz pieces and bound with resin. We feature quartz composite through our Top and Base program.

Resin

A clear or translucent organic (typically plant-based) substance used in lacquers, varnishes, synthetic plastics and adhesives. Our quartz composite features pieces of quartz bound together with resin.

Responsibly forested

Refers to trees that have been harvested using environmentally friendly and sustainable techniques. Harvests are managed so the land around the trees is not harmed, and trees are replanted in direct proportion to the number harvested.

Rolled arms

Refers to upholstered arms that curve outward, creating a softened, classic appearance.

Self-storing leaves

Table leaves that store beneath the tabletop and extend from both ends of the table.

Semi-aniline leather

Leather that's been treated with aniline, then finished with pigments to match the color of the surface hide. Semi-aniline adds protection to the leather, making it resistant to scratches and fading, as well as easy to clean.

Single-wrapped cushion

A foam cushion insert wrapped with a single layer of synthetic filler. This wrap softens the boxy look of the foam block inside the chair or sofa cushion.

Stainless steel

A type of steel used in furniture making. Stainless steel won't stain, corrode or rust as easily as other types of steel.

Stain-resistant

Describes the liquid-repellent quality of a material. Stain-resistant fabrics are coated or infused with a substance that seals the fibers, protecting them from spills and stains. We offer stain-resistant Advantage Fabrics for nearly all of our upholstery options.

Sunbrella®

A soft, synthetic fabric brand that resists mold, mildew and weather conditions.

Textilene®

A soft, synthetic fabric brand that resists mold, mildew and weather conditions.

Tight back

Refers to a tailored sofa or chair with a back connected to the frame of the piece with no removable cushion(s).

Tight cushion

Refers to bench-style seating for a sofa or chair. Tight cushion furniture doesn't have individual seat cushions, but rather a long seat cushion that spans the length of the piece and typically connects to the back of the sofa or chair.

Tip-shear

A technique in which a shearing machine skims the surface of a rug, trimming some loops, while leaving others intact. Tip-shear results in a more tonal look, creating dimension and texture in the rug design.

Top-grain

The outer, most durable layer of the hide. Top-grain is typically used in furniture because of its ability to soften over time while maintaining quality and durability.

Traditional Chinese joinery

Refined over hundreds of years, this ancient Chinese craft uses complex, self-locking joints. The tightly fitting, incredibly strong joints eliminate the need for nails or screws and result in pieces that look beautiful from every angle. Many pieces in our Asian-inspired collections use ancient Chinese joinery techniques, which were originally used so that furniture could be easily disassembled.

TriFlexTM plastic

A pliable, elastic material that forms the back of the Herman Miller® Mirra chair. TriFlexTM allows for airflow while supporting the entire spine and conforming to size, posture, and movement.

Tubular steel

Because it's hollow, tubular steel reduces structural vibration and increases overall stability.

Tufted cushion

A cushion featuring one or more threads that pass through its layers. These threads are often secured with a button or knot.

Tufted rug

A rug created by knitting balls of cotton or woolen rags into strips and sewing them together.

Veneer

Refers to a sheet of wood glued and positioned by hand onto a solid board. Veneer is used as a construction technique to ensure greater consistency in grains and patterns across large surfaces, such as doors and drawer fronts. Wood veneers also keep joinery tight and increase stability and integrity over time.

Warp

The initial vertical threads of a rug set on the loom, and through which horizontal (weft) strands are woven. Warp yarns are fully attached to the loom before weaving begins.

Weather-resistant

Fabric or furniture designed to withstand mold, mildew, rust and weather conditions.

Weave

Can refer either to the process of interlacing threads to make a fabric or rug, or the pattern created by the weaving process.

Weft

Strands inserted horizontally over and under the warp to form the foundation of the rug.

Welting

Decorative cord wrapped in fabric, used to trim upholstery seams for interesting detail.

Wood veneer

Refers to a sheet of wood glued and positioned by hand onto a solid board. Veneer is used as a construction technique to ensure greater consistency in grains and patterns across large surfaces, such as doors and drawer fronts. Wood veneers also keep joinery tight and increase stability and integrity over time.

Wire management

Refers to special holes or slats in the rear panels of media cabinets or storage dressers. These openings safely accommodate cords and wires from electronic components so they can remain hidden and out of the way.

Wrap-around doors

Hinges that allow doors to open 270° so they lie parallel with the sides of the cabinet.

We're here to help

We're here to help

800.301.9720

Monday - Friday

8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Central)

Saturday

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Central)

Sunday

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Central)