Glossary

Wood joinery methods are more or less based on a similar concept to one another. This woodworking concept involves adhering two members at either a parallel or perpendicular angle, either by using extraneous mechanical support, or by designing clever slots and inserts to reinforce a woodworking joint. It is easy to mistake one type of …

Related: 22 Different Types of Interior Design Styles What is Bohemian style? Bohemian style isn’t about rules. In fact, it’s the opposite. Bohemian ─ also known as boho ─ is about being who you are, displaying what you love, creating a relaxing and comfortable space. It is colorful, eclectic, multi-cultural, creative, easygoing, and natural. At the same …

House hunting can be a lot of fun not to mention educational. You’ll see many architectural styles such as mid-century modern, Tudor, and Federal. You’ll see different types of homes such as Craftsman, cottages, luxury condos, detached homes, condos, apartment complexes, and I could go on with this list for days. One thing you might …

You may hear that a certain neighborhood has Queen Anne architecture, or hear someone say they have a Queen Anne house. It sounds incredibly regal and important, but do you know what this architectural style looks like? Queen Anne architecture was trendy during an era named for a whole different Queen of England, but this …

To lots of people, the word Gothic conjures up images of Dracula in a dusty old castle, or maybe disgruntled youth wearing a lot of black clothing. It’s something dark and disturbed, spooky, and surreal. But for architecture enthusiasts, Gothic means stained glass windows, beautiful churches, lots of natural light, and stunning detail. Gothic architecture …

The name is a little misleading, but the Italianate style isn’t really Italian. This is really a distinctly American architecture style. In fact, Italianate architecture is so common to the U.S., it’s also known as the American style. What sets this style apart from actual Italian architecture and where can you find examples of this …

If you’ve ever driven through New Mexico or Arizona, you may have journeyed through neighborhoods that are reminiscent of the planet Tatooine from Star Wars. Not only due to the desolate and striking desert biome, but because of the unique structures that are seemingly built into the landscape. I myself experienced this when road-tripping from …

Home decor is back in a big way. Instagram feeds are filled with ideas on how to bring your space to the next level. Influencers’ feeds show ideas from “how to make a small space look bigger” to “how to decorate your gallery wall in a new way.” However, home decor is not exactly a …

Not all wood joints are created equal, but they were each designed with a specific purpose in mind. Some wood joints are designed for withstanding temperature changes and extremely heavy loads, such as a lap joint, while others are designed to prioritize aesthetics and reinforcement. The rabbet joint is a uniquely shaped wood joint dedicated …

Woodworking is a noble profession that has been around for a very long time. To be more precise, Ancient Egyptian woodworkers used mortise and tenon joints around the pre-dynastic period — this is right around the time of the first Pharaoh (hey, even Jesus was a carpenter)! We looked into all the different types of …

It is nice to know that artistry is supported by artistry. Although the miter joint is one of the simplest methods of wood joinery, its purposes are dedicated to things that contain beauty. You’ll find the miter joint is the reason why Mona Lisa has been kept inside that frame for so long. A beautifully …

Sometimes I think about what will be left behind and studied from our current time period. I think it’s safe to assume that the cabinet you found on the side of the road and abused during your entire University career will not be one of those things. The traditional way of building things tends to …

So we’ve heard of the miter joint, the tongue and groove joint, the mortise and tenon joints, and the butt joint (if not, go read up on those guys!). Up there with the mortise and tenon joints, the dowel joint has been around for just as long. Reinforcing our doorways and chair legs for centuries, …

Lightbulbs have come a long way in the past 150 or so years. Starting out with entirely toxic materials and hairstyles resembling Doc from Back to the Future, we have emerged triumphant, deliciously energy efficient, and with perfectly coiffed hair. The LED corn light is the shiny new alternative to high-pressure sodium lamps that are …

There is something inherently special about going into an antique store and observing the detailed craftsmanship of the wooden furniture. Hinges with ornate designs, initials carved into corners,… the care and attention put into these pieces are obvious and make for a meaningful and timeless item. Unfortunately, certain methods of woodworking become obsolete over time …

Let’s just be honest about it – the mortise and tenon joint is literally a peg in a hole. Why do have to get into all these fancy terminologies for an action humans have been implicating since time itself?! If you’re curious about why this terminology was chosen, we can ask the French. “Mortise” comes …

Before the invention of useful modern tools, humans had to rely on simple physics to hold together the structures they built. They found that when evenly distributing pressure throughout an entire material, a joint can withstand more pressure and weight than joints that use external additions (like an adhesive) to hold themselves together. Lap joints …

Let’s figure out what exactly is meant by Georgian style architecture. The above-featured image is a poster-child Georgian home as we know them in the US… symmetrical, red brick (not all have red brick mind you), imposing. Related: Types of Houses | Architectural Styles | Beautiful Houses | Red Brick Houses | Plantation Home Designs …

Related: Types of home architectural styles | Types of houses | Beautiful Houses | Rancher vs. 2-Story House | Farm Houses | Plantation Home Designs What is a Ranch Style Home? A ranch home, aka rancher, is usually defined as a house with a long profile, large windows, and generally an open layout. While a …

  Vintage style is kind of an enigma. In fact, it’s not really a recognized interior design but on the flip side it’s used in reference to interiors and furnishings all the time so we just had to cover it. We took a stab at explaining it and finding great photo examples. Hopefully, this helps …

Interested in a Tuscan style house? I can’t blame you. It’s fetching style. Also a popular one. It’s a sub-style of the Mediterranean style. After all, Tuscany is on the Mediterranean (see map of Italy below). Tuscan-style houses are defined by the exterior, landscaping, interior, furnishings , and materials used throughout. We step you through …

I still remember the first time I went to Florida for spring break in college. We drove all night from Michigan and hit the sunny state around noon. I loved the place immediately. I loved the endless stretches of stunning beaches, palm trees, tropical flowers and the spectacular beach houses as well as the modern …

What Is Open Concept Interior Design? When it comes to interior design, the term “open concept” refers to a home with a minimal amount of barriers in the main living spaces. This typically means that walls and doors do not exist in and between functional areas such as the kitchen, dining room and living room. …

What is a Stair Riser? A stair riser is a basic component of stairs. It is the vertical part of each step. Stair risers must be at the proper height for safety and comfort. Related: Stair Measuring Tool | Staircase Design Ideas | Quarter-Turn Staircase Ideas | Spiral Staircase Ideas | Curved Staircase Ideas | Cool …

What is Laminate Flooring? Laminate flooring is the best of both worlds. It has the look, feel, and durability of wood flooring, combined with the waterproof and low maintenance aspects of vinyl flooring. It’s also easy to install yourself. It snaps together with tongue and groove, unlike traditional wood flooring that requires professional installation. Related …

  What is Vinyl Flooring? Vinyl flooring is one of the best flooring materials in the market. It is more affordable than stone or granite, and nearly as durable. It is not to be confused with other flooring materials, such as linoleum or laminate flooring. It can really look like either wood planks or stone …

What is a Soffit? Soffit is an architectural term that can be used in three contexts. The soffit can refer to:  the horizontal underside (interior or exterior) of a construction element. any structure used to fill the space between a ceiling and the top of wall-mounted cabinets. material that connects an outside wall to a …

What is a Groin Vault Ceiling? A groin vault ceiling is a series of groin vaults all in a row. A groin vault is arched support for a ceiling or covering in a room. These supports are typically made from stone or brick. A builder can create a ceiling over a long rectangular hallway by …

What is Stamped Concrete? Stamped concrete, also known as imprinted or textured concrete, is the product of an innovative and creative process commonly applied on concrete works for driveways, sidewalks, patios, and floors to decorate the concrete slab. The process of stamping concrete not only adds decorative elements to the concrete floor but also improves …

What is a Drop Ceiling? A drop ceiling is a secondary ceiling that sits below your original and main structural ceiling. These types of ceilings are common in both residential and commercial buildings. There are many uses of these ceilings, and they are commonly used to hide wires or piping, cover damage, or to provide …

What is a Kitchen Backsplash? A kitchen backsplash is a material that covers the wall above the countertop and often extends horizontally to the full countertop length. Its primary purpose is to protect walls from moisture, grease and food splatters, helping to prevent stains and promote cleanliness. Kitchen backsplashes are made from a variety of …

What is MDF Board? MDF is the abbreviated form of what is known as medium-density fiberboard. This is an engineered wood product that is commonly used in building projects. MDF board is created by taking various wood fibers, chips, and sawdust from either hardwood or softwood. The wood fiber is then packed together tightly, usually …

What is a Lazy Susan? What is in a name? Well, we well get to that in a minute. But let’s just get right to the point. What exactly is a Lazy Susan anyway? Have you ever been to a restaurant that had a circular, rotating tray resting in the center of the table? This …

What is a Chaise Lounge? A chaise lounge is a long reclining chair built for one person. The French translation means long chair, but in the US, a chaise lounge refers to a long chair that is big enough to support the legs. Related: Different Types of Interior Chaise Lounges | Types of Black Chaise …

What is Board and Batten Construction? Board and batten is a type of building exterior treatment with precut wide, wooden boards framed and secured in place with narrow board strips named “battens.” In some cases, the style can be used for interior surfacing as well, but in most applications, it’s used on the outer surface …

What is a Heat Pump? A heat pump is a heating and air conditioning system that works all year long. During the colder months, a heat pump will warm air from the outside and pump it inside your home. During the warmer months, the process works in reverse; the system will pump the inside warm …

What is Polyurethane? Polyurethane is an amazing product and has near limitless uses. It’s used in everything from home furnishings, appliances, medical applications, electronics. Liquid polyurethane is found in coatings, sealants, and elastomers. It is one of the most versatile products in use today. Related: Types of Polyurethane | Natural and Safer Polyurethane Alternatives | …

What is Berber carpet? Berber carpets are a unique type of carpet that has a history stretching back millennia. A Berber carpet is defined by its consisting solely of small loops and unique lots that secure those loops. The name “Berber” harkens back to the Berber people who were and are an ethnic group consisting …

What is subway tile? Subway tiles were first seen in the New York subway when it opened in 1904, hence the name. They were born from a Victorian fascination with cleanliness. They are glazed and glossy, resists stains, and easy to clean. Since they were so sanitary, they started being used in other businesses, such as …

What is a floating shelf? A floating shelf is a shelf or shelves that do not have any supports such as legs stemming from the ground. Instead, they are built or anchored into the wall which gives them a “floating” appearance. Related: Small Bookcases | Leaning Ladder Shelf Ideas | Kitchens with Floating Shelves | Types …

Welcome to our Craftsman home decor style guide including our gallery featuring all Craftsman interior and exterior designs including kitchens, living rooms, exteriors, bathrooms and more. Related: All interior design styles | All Residential Architectural Styles | Craftsman-Style Living Room Ideas | Craftsman Houses (Architecture) | Craftsman Floor Plans | What Design Features Do Craftsman-Style Homes …

Welcome to the Mediterranean home decor style guide where you can see photos of all interiors in the Mediterranean style including kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, foyers and more. Related: All interior design styles | All residential architectural styles | Mediterranean Style Homes | Mediterranean Floor Plans Distinguishing Mediterranean Decor Features Exterior Below is …