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
Ikat
Fabric made using Indonesian decorative techniques
Incorrect: eye-cat
Correct: ee-cat
Chaise
seating
Incorrect: chase
Correct: sheyz
Macramé
An artistic rope art popular in the 70s, experiencing a resurgence
Incorrect: mack-rem-ay
Correct: mar-crar-may
Cerulean
A deep blue colour
Incorrect: see-roo-leen
Correct: suh-roo-lee-un
Armoire
An ornate wardrobe or cabinet
Incorrect: arm-wah
Correct: arm-waar
Kilim
A flat woven rug usually made in turkey and surrounds
Incorrect: kih-lim
Correct: kee-leem
Valance
A bed skirt used to conceal supports or clutter
Incorrect: vah-laan-ss
Correct: vah-lence
Foyer
An entryway to a residence
Incorrect: foy-eer
Correct: foy-yay
Chenille
A tufted cord or yarn
Incorrect: chen-illy
Correct: shuh-kneel
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