Are you in the market for an armoire? How about a credenza, an étagère, a highboy or a settee? HUH? Yeah, I know. I felt the same way when I recently entered a furniture store and was met with a salesperson who peppered me with the same questions. I didn’t realize that I needed to be a linguist in order to successfully navigate through a furniture store. All I wanted was a new dresser for our master bedroom. To be honest, I did feel slightly intimidated by the salesperson’s queries. I walked out of the store dresser-less and headed home to take a crash course in furniture terms.
Here’s what I learned… (Perhaps, it will help the next time you find yourself shopping for that perfect “Break front”):
Armoire–A large cabinet with two doors and shelves used for storing clothes. Or you could also put one in your family room/living room/media room to store electronic equipment.
Break front–A bookcase or china cabinet made of three vertical sections, the center one projects forward beyond the two end sections.
Buffet–A small cupboard. The French definition of the word is “a small sideboard, a place for keeping dishes.” This one I actually knew since my mom insisted on having one in our home (it was actually a gift from my grandparents to my parents and a piece I hope will remain in our family for generations to come).
Bureau–In America, “bureau” is another name for a “dresser” or a bedroom storage piece. In France, the word was used to describe the red cloth covering for a writing desk, and, later, was used to refer to the desk itself.
Case goods–Specifically, storage pieces made primarily of wood. More generally, refers to entire collections of wood bedroom and dining room furniture, including some pieces that are not storage, such as headboards and dining tables.
Credenza–A sideboard… or what my grandmother calls my mom’s buffet.
Étagère–A set of open shelves used for displaying small objects. Occasionally it will have an enclosed cabinet as a base.
Gate leg table–A table with a folding leaf held in place by a leg that swings out like a gate. It was a popular feature in Colonial American homes.
Highboy–A high chest of drawers. Yet another piece of furniture whose name has French origins. In this case: haut bois, which in French means “high wood.”
Occasional tables–A term applied to small tables, such as coffee tables and lamp tables.
Secretary—-No, not the person who types memos at an office. Rather, a drop front desk, with bookshelves above and drawers below.
Settee–A long seat or bench with arms and a high back.
Sideboard—-A piece often found in dining rooms. It features a long flat top for serving and is usually equipped with drawers or cabinets for storing china.
Wing chair–An upholstered chair with a high back, stuffed arms and wing-shaped projectors at head level.
In “Furniture 102” I’ll share some other furniture related terms that may come in handy the next time you are in the market to add a new addition to your home.