Quirky Design Words

In any industry, there can be a litany of boring acronyms and often confusing jargon to wade through. Sometimes though there are fun word treasures to unearth.

Here are a few quirky design terms to drop into a conversation or two:

Binning: Sorting process for standardized quality control with LED chips in light fixtures

Boxed: Typically refers to customizing paint by mixing gallons to achieve a ratio for the desired color

Ferrule: Decorative cap on feet of furniture and cabinetry. Can be a great way to add a metal finish and interesting detail.

Splice: Often utilized in drapery hardware to connect shorter rods for a longer continuous length or with decorative trim to connect ends

Knurled: Texture of cross-hatching typically seen on metal cabinet and door hardware, lighting, etc. It can provide more grip as well as an industrial feel.

Railroading: Running fabric the length of the bolt instead of width. This can be a great way to maximize fabric on upholstered pieces while minimizing seams and maximize sheer fabric for drapery.