Design Dictionary from A-Z with Renae Keller

A is for air 

[air] noun

1.  a well-designed house must be allowed to breathe. Drawing fresh air in wherever possible. As important as the design of the windows themselves.

B is for bead trim

[beed] [trim] noun

1. a globular accent that borders a round mirror and frames creating an element of elegance and intricacy.

C is for corbel

[kawr-buh l] noun

1. an architectural detail that is not only supportive functionally but aesthetically.

D is for drum shade

[druhm] [sheyd] noun

1. straight sided lampshade with a classic profile that adds “updated” instantly to a treasured lamp base or hanging pendant.

Renae Keller Interior Design

E is for étagère

[ey-tah-zhairz, ey-tuh-; French ey-ta–zher] noun

1. a stand with a series of open shelves for collected objects and family heirlooms that you treasure.

Renae Keller Interior Design

F is for finial

[fin-ee-uh l, fahy-nee-] noun

1. an ornamental terminal feature on a piece of furniture or gable that adds a finishing touch.

G is for glazing

[gley-zing] verb

1. The act of applying a thin transparent or semi-transparent layer that enhances the under layer of paint. It  can create an authentic looking patina on outdated cabinets and built-ins.

2. An alternative to replacing tired cabinetry

Renae Keller Interior Design

H is for herringbone

[her-ing-bohn] noun

1. a pattern consisting of vertical rows of slanting lines forming either a V or an inverted V, used in masonry and textiles used by your favorite interior designer.

I is for invoice

[in-vois] noun

1. an itemized bill for goods or services provided, representing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms.

2. how interior designers like myself will bill you monthly.

J is for Jim Thompson

[jim] [tomp-suh n, tom-] noun

1. some of the best linen fabrics on the market.

2. Studio Line B

Studio B Line

K is for Kravet

[krah][vet] noun

1. a designer’s go-to line for wools, cotton, jacquard and everything else you can think of.

Kravet

L is for leaded glass

[led-id] [glas, glahs] noun

1. a stunning way of joining together glass with thin lines of lead. Very common in turn-of-the-20th-century homes and started in Mesopotamia in 1400 B.C.

M is for mirror

[mir-er] noun

1. a reflecting surface to see how great you look in the morning.

2. a way to create space in smaller rooms and depth in bigger rooms.

N is for nailhead trim

[neyl-hed][trim] noun

1. an ornamental trim that mimics that of a flattened nailhead and adorns our favorite reupholstered chairs.

O is for ornamental

[awr-nuh–men-tl] adjective

1. ‘the thing’ your husband thinks is frivolous—but hey it's all in the details!

Renae Keller Interior Design

P is for patina

[pat-n-uh, puh–tee-nuh] noun or adjective

1. that thing that happens to your favorite metal pieces.

2. that look that you search every flea market for in the summer.

Renae Keller Interior Design

Q is quad framing

[kwod][prin-ting] noun

1. a group of four framed pieces of art that creates balance and a lot of visual interest in a room

2. a term used in the RKID showroom on a weekly basis

R is Raoul

[raw-ool] noun

1. unique, hand-blocked print library that is available on natural fabrics

S is for Scale

[skeyl] adjective or noun

1. playing with the size of patterns and objects

2. a ruler used by architects and designers that represents a proportion of a fixed measurement

Renae Keller Interior Design

T is for topiary

[toh-pee-er-ee] noun

1. ornamental gardening that creates elegant silhouettes.

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U is for understated

[uhn-der-stey-tid] adjective

1. restrained in style and leaves your home looking timeless and classic

V is for Venetian blinds

[vuh–nee-shuh n] noun

1. a basic slated blind that can take your window treatments from builder grade to designer with the right kind of wood.

W is for white

[hwahyt, wahyt] adjective

1. a hue of no color

2. our favorite color of Benjamin Moore paint when choosen carefully and consistently and used throughout the home.

X is for ‘X’

[eks] noun

1. a shape motif on railing balustrades and the back of chairs that make a Farmhouse feel iconic.

Y is for yellow

[yel-oh] adjective

1. a color that when used appropriately can add warmth and a bit of energy to space in unexpected ways.

Renae Keller Interior Design

Z is for zinc

[zingk] noun

1. what creates that matte luster finish on galvanized metal.

-Renae