WALLANDER HOUSE DICTIONARY
HERITAGE, ARCHITECTURE AND THE DOMESTIC ARTS
A compilation of terms for the home by Studio Wallander
N
Nailhead. Small pyramidal or domed motif used in carved wood or metalwork, recalling the head of a nail; common in Gothic and Arts and Crafts ornament.
Narthex. Enclosed entrance or porch at the west end of a church; the form sometimes inspired grand domestic vestibules.
Nave window. Tall arched window typical of ecclesiastical architecture; domestic designers borrowed its form for stairwells and halls.
Neutral palette. Range of subdued tones—stone, chalk, ivory—favoured in modern heritage interiors for balance and calm.
New Terrace. Generic term for later-nineteenth-century rows of housing built as urban infill; now valued for their proportion and craftsmanship.
Newel. Central or end post supporting a staircase handrail; often turned or carved in oak or mahogany.
Nickel plate. Silvery metal finish used on late-Victorian and Edwardian fittings as a cooler alternative to brass.
Niche. Recess in a wall for a statue, vase, or decorative object; adds depth and focus to an interior composition.
Night latch. Surface-mounted lock fitted to the inside of a front door; nineteenth-century security innovation still in use.
Nodal point. Central point from which a plan or vista is arranged; key idea in Georgian spatial planning.
Nogged wall. Wall stiffened with horizontal timbers or brick panels between studs, adding strength to early framed structures.
Nogging. Brick or timber infill between structural framing members in half-timbered or stud construction.
Nosing. Rounded front edge of a stair tread or step; improves grip and shadow definition.
North light. Steady, cool illumination from a north-facing window; prized in studios and drawing offices.
Nymphaeum. Classical term for a garden building or fountain dedicated to water deities; revived in eighteenth-century landscape design.
Nylon carpet. Synthetic floor covering introduced mid-twentieth century; practical but historically out of character in period houses
Oak. Durable hardwood prized for beams, panelling, and floors; its grain and patina define much of Britain’s architectural character.
Oast house. Distinctive conical building once used for drying hops; a feature of the Kent and Sussex countryside.
Obelisk. Tapered stone monument derived from ancient Egypt; revived as a decorative garden feature in Georgian design.
Obscure glass. Textured or frosted glass allowing light while preserving privacy; used in bathrooms and entrance doors.
Occasional table. Small movable table for general use; often placed beside seating or in hallways.
Ogee. Double-curved profile combining concave and convex arcs; widely used in mouldings and cornices.
Oil paint. Traditional pigment mixed with linseed oil, used for joinery and metalwork; flexible and long-lasting when properly maintained.
Onyx. Banded form of quartz used decoratively for fireplaces and tabletops; valued for translucence and subtle colour.
Open string. Stair design where the side member is cut to reveal the treads and risers; allows display of ornamental brackets.
Orangery. Classical-style garden room with large south-facing windows; ancestor of the modern conservatory.
Order. Classical system of column and entablature design—Doric, Ionic, Corinthian—each with fixed proportions.
Ormolu. Gilded bronze used for mounts on fine furniture and clocks; from the French or moulu, meaning ground gold.
Oriel window. Window projecting from an upper storey, supported by brackets or corbels; enriches elevation and interior light.
Overmantel. Decorative panel, mirror, or shelf arrangement above a fireplace; often carved or gilded in period houses.
O
P
Palladian. Architectural style inspired by Andrea Palladio, marked by symmetry, proportion, and classical restraint; influential in Georgian Britain.
Panelling. Timber boards fixed to internal walls for insulation and decoration; often framed with mouldings in raised or fielded panels.
Parapet. Low wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace; conceals guttering and contributes to a building’s silhouette.
Parquet. Geometric timber flooring pattern assembled from small pieces of wood; revived in late Victorian and Edwardian interiors.
Patina. Surface sheen acquired through age and use; valued in antique finishes for depth and authenticity.
Pediment. Triangular or segmental gable above a door, window, or portico; hallmark of classical architecture.
Pendant light. Suspended light fitting hanging from a cord or chain; adaptable to high ceilings and period settings.
Peristyle. Columned courtyard or garden walk derived from classical architecture; influenced Regency domestic planning.
Pilaster. Shallow, rectangular column projecting from a wall, decorative rather than structural.
Pillar. Free-standing vertical support of stone, brick, or timber; plainer in form than a column.
Pine. Softwood commonly used for joinery, furniture, and painted finishes; traditional yet economical.
Plaster. Lime or gypsum coating for walls and ceilings; breathable varieties essential in heritage conservation.
Plinth. Base or platform supporting a column, statue, or piece of furniture; provides visual grounding.
Pointing. Mortar finish between bricks or stones; its colour and profile greatly affect appearance.
Portico. Roofed entrance supported by columns; architectural statement in Georgian and classical revival houses.
Proportion. Relationship of parts to the whole; central principle in both architecture and interior design.
Putlog hole. Opening left in brickwork for scaffolding timbers during construction; often visible on historic facades
Q
Quadrangle. Four-sided courtyard enclosed by buildings; a formal planning device in colleges and large estates.
Quarry tile. Unglazed fired-clay floor tile, usually red or brown; durable and common in Victorian service rooms and halls.
Quatrefoil. Decorative four-lobed shape used in Gothic tracery and later revival ornament.
Quenching. Rapid cooling of heated metal to harden it; a process relevant to the restoration of wrought ironwork.
Quern. Hand-operated stone mill for grinding grain; occasionally found as a garden relic or archaeological feature.
Quirk moulding. Narrow groove defining the edge of a moulding; adds crispness and shadow.
Quoin. Dressed stone forming the external corner of a wall; visually reinforces structure and frame.
Quoins, rusticated. Quoins given a roughened or channelled surface for emphasis; characteristic of Georgian and neoclassical facades.
Quilt. Padded bed covering sewn from layers of fabric; domestic craft with regional British traditions.
Quirk bead. Small convex moulding separated by a recessed line, used for fine joinery details.
Quoining pattern. Painted or rendered imitation of stone quoins on brickwork; a modest way to suggest grandeur
R
Rafter. Sloping timber forming part of a roof structure, supporting laths, tiles, or slates.
Rainwater goods. Collective term for gutters, downpipes, and hopper heads; vital to protect masonry from damp.
Raised panel. Timber panel set proud within a frame, giving depth to doors and wainscoting.
Railing. Metal or timber barrier used for boundaries, balconies, and stairs; both protective and decorative.
Raking cornice. Cornice following the slope of a pediment or gable, completing its outline.
Rebated joint. Carpentry joint where a groove is cut to receive another piece; ensures strength and weather-tightness.
Recess. Set-back area within a wall for furniture, shelving, or display; often emphasised with an arch or moulding.
Reeding. Series of parallel convex mouldings, the reverse of fluting; used on columns and furniture legs.
Render. Smooth or textured plaster applied externally to walls; protects brick or stone beneath.
Repointing. Renewal of mortar joints in masonry; essential maintenance for heritage buildings.
Reveal. The side surface of an opening between the outer wall face and a window or door frame.
Ridge tile. Tile capping the apex of a pitched roof; sometimes ornamented with finials or cresting.
Riser. Vertical face between treads on a staircase; its height determines comfort of climb.
Rococo. Eighteenth-century decorative style favouring asymmetry, curves, and elaborate ornament; later revived in Victorian plasterwork.
Rosette. Stylised flower motif used in plaster ceilings, wood carving, and metal fittings.
Rubble stone. Rough, undressed stone laid with wide joints; typical of vernacular and rural construction.
Rustication. Manner of finishing masonry with recessed joints or roughened faces to suggest strength.
Rutting. Wear marks or grooves in soft floors caused by repeated traffic; sometimes retained as evidence of use in conservation work
S
Saddle roof. Roof with two sloping sides meeting at a ridge; the simplest and most common roof form.
Sash window. Window with one or more movable glazed panels that slide vertically; a defining feature of Georgian and Victorian houses.
Sconce. Wall-mounted light fitting, originally for candles and later for electricity.
Scotia. Concave moulding forming a hollow curve between two surfaces; used in classical bases and cornices.
Screen. Partition or framework dividing spaces; can be timber, glass, or metal, decorative or functional.
Sculpted plaster. Plasterwork shaped by hand or mould to create relief decoration on walls and ceilings.
Segmental arch. Shallow arch formed from a segment of a circle; structurally efficient and widely used in brickwork.
Shaft. Main vertical part of a column or pilaster, between the base and capital.
Shingle. Thin overlapping pieces of timber or slate used as roofing or wall cladding.
Shoulder arch. Door or window arch with two straight sides meeting a small central curve; a Tudor and Jacobean feature.
Sidelight. Narrow vertical window beside a door or larger window; brightens entrance halls.
Sill. Horizontal base of a window or doorway; sheds water and visually anchors the opening.
Skirting board. Timber board running along the base of interior walls; protects plaster and provides visual finish.
Soil pipe. Vertical pipe carrying wastewater from WCs to the drainage system; external on most period houses.
Spandrel. Triangular space between an arch and the surrounding framework; often filled with ornament.
Spindle. Turned vertical rod in a staircase balustrade or chair back; also called a baluster.
Stained glass. Coloured or painted glass arranged in leaded patterns; used in both ecclesiastical and domestic settings.
String course. Horizontal band of stone or brick running along a facade for visual emphasis.
Stucco. Fine external render finished smooth or modelled in relief; characteristic of Regency and early Victorian architecture.
Soffit. Underside of an arch, balcony, or projecting feature; often plastered or panelled for finish.
Stipple. Decorative painting technique using small dots or dabs to create soft texture or shading.
Swag. Carved or modelled ornament resembling a suspended garland of fabric or foliage, common in neoclassical design.
T
Tabernacle frame. Ornate picture or mirror frame with side pilasters and a broken pediment; popular in seventeenth-century interiors.
Tactile finish. Surface treatment emphasising texture, such as brushed plaster or hand-waxed timber.
Taper. Slender candle traditionally used in wall sconces or chandeliers.
Tapestry. Woven wall hanging depicting scenes or patterns; both insulation and decoration in earlier houses.
Tectonic expression. Architectural term describing how structure is visibly articulated; valued in conservation for honesty of form.
Tendril ornament. Delicate scrolling foliage motif in plaster or ironwork; typical of Rococo and Regency decoration.
Terracotta. Fired clay used for decorative mouldings, panels, and roof details; common in late Victorian architecture.
Terrace. Row of joined houses built to a uniform design; dominant urban form of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Britain.
Threshold. Timber or stone strip forming the base of a doorway; the literal and symbolic division between rooms.
Tie beam. Horizontal timber binding the feet of roof rafters to prevent spread.
Tiling. Covering of ceramic, clay, or stone units used on floors, walls, or roofs for durability and pattern.
Timber frame. Structural system of upright posts and horizontal beams; the skeleton of many medieval and revival houses.
Tongue-and-groove. Joint in which a projecting ridge fits into a matching groove; used for flooring and panelling.
Torchère. Tall floor-standing light or candle stand; decorative accent in formal rooms.
Transom. Horizontal member dividing panes in a window or separating a door from a fanlight above.
Travertine. Porous limestone used for flooring and wall cladding; its natural veining gives warmth to interiors.
Tread. Horizontal part of a stair on which one steps; its depth and projection affect comfort and safety.
Truss. Framework of beams supporting a roof or bridge; in timber roofs, often exposed as a feature.
U
U-value. Measurement of heat transfer through a building material; lower numbers indicate better insulation.
Ultramarine. Deep blue pigment originally made from ground lapis lazuli; prized in historic decorative schemes.
Undercoat. Preparatory paint layer providing adhesion and coverage before the topcoat.
Undercroft. Vaulted space beneath a building, often used for storage or service rooms in medieval houses.
Underfloor heating. System of pipes or cables laid beneath the floor surface; modern revival of ancient hypocaust principles.
Underside. Lower surface of a projecting element such as a stair, beam, or cornice; also called a soffit.
Unglazed pottery. Earthenware left without glaze, valued for its matte texture in rustic interiors.
Upholstery. Craft of padding and covering furniture with fabric, springs, and stuffing; vital to comfort and proportion.
Upright. Vertical structural or decorative member in furniture, framing, or panelling.
Urn. Classical vessel form used as a motif in plaster, ironwork, or garden ornament.
Utility room. Service space for laundry and domestic equipment; evolved from the scullery and washhouse.
V
Valance. Decorative fabric drapery used to conceal curtain fittings or the upper part of a window.
Valley gutter. Internal roof gutter formed where two roof slopes meet; needs regular maintenance to prevent leaks.
Varnish. Transparent protective coating for wood or paint; enhances colour and depth while providing durability.
Vault. Arched ceiling or roof structure in stone, brick, or plaster; gives a sense of grandeur and enclosure.
Veneer. Thin layer of fine wood applied to a coarser substrate; used to achieve elegant finishes economically.
Ventilation grille. Perforated cover allowing airflow through walls or floors; necessary for fireplaces and cellars.
Veranda. Roofed open gallery or porch along the side of a house; more common in colonial and Arts and Crafts architecture.
Verdigris. Green patina formed on aged copper or bronze; prized for its colour in decorative metalwork.
Vernacular. Referring to local building traditions and materials; contrasts with formal or academic styles.
Vestibule. Small entrance hall between outer door and main interior; buffers temperature and privacy.
Vitrine. Glass-fronted cabinet for displaying objects or collections; common in nineteenth-century drawing rooms.
V-joint. Narrow V-shaped groove between boards or panels; adds articulation to joinery.
Volute. Spiral scroll forming the main feature of the Ionic capital; also used in ironwork and plaster decoration.
Voussoir. Wedge-shaped stone forming part of an arch; the central voussoir is the keystone.
Vulcanite. Early hard rubber used for door handles, knobs, and small fittings in the nineteenth century.
Vyse. Old spelling of vise; clamping device on a workbench, appearing in historic workshop inventories.
W
Wainscoting. Timber panelling applied to the lower portion of interior walls; traditionally in oak, later painted softwood.
Wall plate. Horizontal timber laid along the top of a wall to carry roof rafters or ceiling joists.
Wall tie. Metal connector securing outer and inner leaves of a cavity wall; critical to stability.
Wall wash light. Lighting technique casting an even glow down a surface to highlight texture or colour.
Wallpaper. Printed or embossed paper used for wall decoration; mass production began in the nineteenth century.
Warming pan. Lidded metal pan with a long handle, filled with hot coals to warm beds before heating systems.
Washstand. Piece of bedroom furniture holding a basin and jug before plumbing was common; often marble-topped.
Water table. Projecting moulded course at the base of a wall to throw off rainwater.
Weatherboard. Overlapping timber cladding on external walls; characteristic of rural and coastal buildings.
Weathervane. Rotating ornament indicating wind direction, usually mounted on a roof ridge or turret.
Wedge joint. Carpentry joint tightened by a wedge; used in framed doors and sash windows.
Welt. Cord or fabric strip reinforcing the seams of upholstered furniture or curtains.
Wenlock stone. Silvery-grey limestone from Shropshire; valued for its fine grain in building and carving.
Weymouth pine. Softwood imported from North America during the eighteenth century; used for panelling and joinery.
Whinstone. Hard dark basaltic rock used for paving and boundary walls in northern Britain.
Wicket door. Small door set within a larger one, allowing access without opening the main gate.
Window seat. Built-in bench at the base of a window; combines light, warmth, and storage.
Wrought iron. Tough, fibrous iron worked by hand under heat; traditional material for gates, railings, and balustrades.
Wyvern. Heraldic dragon motif appearing in carved or cast ornament, particularly on Victorian gates and brackets.
X
X-brace. Crossed diagonal members forming a structural brace in timber framing or furniture; increases rigidity and visual strength.
X-frame chair. Folding or curving chair form shaped like the letter X; revived in Renaissance and later Regency designs.
Xylography. Art of engraving on wood for printing; historically used to reproduce architectural drawings and decorative patterns.
Xystus. In classical architecture, a covered walk or garden colonnade; occasionally adapted in eighteenth-century landscape design.
Y
Yard. Enclosed outdoor area adjoining a house or group of buildings; historically used for service access and deliveries.
Yardstick. Measuring stick exactly one yard long; once a household tool for tailoring and joinery.
Yew. Dense evergreen timber used historically for furniture, panelling, and archery bows; valued for its rich colour and fine grain.
Yielding point. Structural engineering term marking the limit before permanent deformation; relevant to metal restoration.
Yoke. Crosspiece joining two structural elements, as in roof framing or chair construction.
York stone. Durable sandstone from Yorkshire; widely used for paving and thresholds in British houses.
Y-plan. Building layout shaped like the letter Y, giving multiple wings and light-filled angles; rare but notable in seventeenth-century design.
Yarn-dyed fabric. Cloth woven from pre-dyed threads rather than printed; stronger colour retention in furnishings.
Yoke back chair. Chair design with a curved horizontal splat resembling a yoke; common in eighteenth-century furniture
Z
Z-bar. Metal section shaped like the letter Z, used in glazing or lightweight framing.
Ziggurat. Stepped tower form from ancient Mesopotamia; echoed in some Art Deco and modernist architecture.
Zinc. Bluish-white metal used for roofing, flashing, and decorative panels; valued for corrosion resistance and patina.
Zinc paint. Protective coating containing zinc oxide; guards ironwork against rust in heritage maintenance.
Zinc worktop. Traditional metal surface for kitchens and bars; durable and develops a soft grey patina over time.
Zircon glaze. Ceramic glaze containing zirconium compounds for hardness and subtle lustre.
Zither pattern. Decorative motif of interlaced diagonal lines used on veneers and parquetry.
Zoned lighting. Layered lighting scheme dividing a room into functional areas; key concept in contemporary reinterpretations of period layouts.