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  1. Home
  2. Decorating

Furniture and design words you’re probably mispronouncing

Are you saying them right? - by Laura Barry
  • 10 Aug 2018
Furniture and design words you’re probably mispronouncing

Architectural features, building materials, fancy furniture and designers often have hard-to-pronounce names with confusing spelling. Some of these words are common place and have been in the home vernacular for decades, while others are more specific or rarely used. Here’s a list of furniture and design words that you’re probably mispronouncing, accompanied by their corrections.

Wainscot

Wooden paneling on the lower part of the walls of a room

Incorrect: wayne-scot

Correct: wayne-scut

Wainscot
Getty

Ikat

Fabric made using Indonesian decorative techniques

Incorrect: eye-cat

Correct: ee-cat

ikat pattern
Getty

Chaise

seating

Incorrect: chase

Correct: sheyz

chaise longue
Getty

Macramé

An artistic rope art popular in the 70s, experiencing a resurgence

Incorrect: mack-rem-ay

Correct: mar-crar-may

macrame art
Getty

Cerulean

A deep blue colour

Incorrect: see-roo-leen

Correct: suh-roo-lee-un

cerulean blue powder pigment
Getty

Armoire

An ornate wardrobe or cabinet

Incorrect: arm-wah

Correct: arm-waar

armoire with light emanating from within
Getty

Kilim

A flat woven rug usually made in turkey and surrounds

Incorrect: kih-lim

Correct: kee-leem

Kilim rug on cobble stone street
Getty

Valance

A bed skirt used to conceal supports or clutter

Incorrect: vah-laan-ss

Correct: vah-lence

cuntry style bedroom in pink and white florals
Getty

Foyer

An entryway to a residence

Incorrect: foy-eer

Correct: foy-yay

Foyer
Getty

Chenille

A tufted cord or yarn

Incorrect: chen-illy

Correct: shuh-kneel

orange chenille
Getty

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Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

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