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Design Vocabulary 101

Design Vocabulary 101

10/22/2024 | By Magnolia Homes | Design Tips

In the world of new home construction, there can be many terms that our buyers are unfamiliar with. Our desire is to keep you informed during the building process so that you can feel confident and have the best experience possible! Here are a few of the words we use on a daily basis that we thought would be good to define in our own words! Your vocabulary lesson starts now!

Elevation

When facing a home, the front exterior view and structural design.

Lambs Tongue

A stylish flair to your ornamental iron design, located at the base of your railing. Its name comes from the visual similarities of a lamb’s tongue.

Shadowbox

A gorgeous way to incorporate trim work design within your home. Typically found in the entry way, dining room, or bathroom of a home, shadowboxing is a great way to add dimension to a standard wall. It is created by taking molding material into 1by sections, spacing out to the desired size. Some may also refer to this as wainscoting!

Available Inventory Home

A home that is hand-selected and designed by the builder. In our case, we choose the floor plan, home site, design details and finishes, light fixtures, and more, with our end buyer in mind. These homes can be purchased at any time during the design process or after the home is completed. An available inventory home is perfect for those who need a quick move-in or who prefer trusting our expert design team in choosing the selections.

Scullery

Historically, sculleries are associated with grand Victorian homes or English manors where kitchens were not to be seen. Today, the scullery is an additional prep room off the kitchen for overflow dishes and plenty of cabinet storage. These are usually housed with a sink, and depending on the homeowner’s lifestyle preference, additional appliances such as a fridge, a second dishwasher, additional ovens, drink cooler, ice machine, and coffee pot.

Air Switch

A handy feature in the form of a button that connects to the garbage disposal easily from the countertop – no more bending over! This comes in multiple finishes, adding a stylish addition to your daily routine!

Sconce

A small light fixture attached to the wall that is usually utilized in a primary bathroom, dining room, or stairwell that is an opulent way to add soft light.

Coffered Ceiling

Usually seen in a primary bedroom or family room, the coffered ceiling provides extra height with its upward slope. Unlike a vaulted ceiling, a coffered ceiling plateaus versus coming to a steep point. Materials such as planking, wooden beams, or other materials may be placed within the coffer for added aesthetics.

Cove Crown Molding

Crown molding is a fabulous way to add in extra detail to your home. It also offers a smooth transition between your walls and ceilings or floors. Cove Crown Molding is a design element that is favored at Magnolia Homes for its curvature, simplicity, and sleek composition.

Arched Toe Kicks

A small detail that elevates the design and appearance of your home’s cabinetry. This element is seen when you add a curve or arch at the base of your cabinets, giving the impression of a furniture piece such as a stand-alone vanity.

Nickel-Gap Planking

A trim work element that can be utilized on the interior or exterior ceiling, behind the bench & hooks, or on a statement wall. This adds dimension and texture to the ordinary spaces.

Dog Ears on Shutters

A small but mighty way to make an impact on your exterior design palette! Dog ears on shutters are stationary pieces that give the impression of an operable shutter. These fixed elements are an elegant way to add “that extra touch” to your home!

Fixed Doors

Another way to add charm to an exterior palette is by incorporating fixed doors on your front elevation. While these doors are inoperable, they add a gorgeous design element of life in the French countryside. You can find these connected to your dining room or front office space! We hope that you have learned a lot about the common terms used by the Magnolia Team! Ready to see these terms in action on your own Magnolia Home?! Reach out to us today!