Glossary

Accent wall: A wall painted or decorated differently to add visual interest and draw the eye.

Acrylic paint: A water-based paint made with acrylic resin, known for its fast-drying properties, durability, and resistance to fading or yellowing.

Adhesion: The ability of paint or other materials to bond securely to a surface.

Airless sprayer: A paint spraying device that uses high pressure to atomize and distribute paint without the use of air.

Alkyd paint: A type of oil-based paint that uses alkyd resins as a binder, offering a hard and durable finish.

Antiquing: A decorative painting technique used to create an aged or weathered appearance on a surface.

Base coat: The first layer of paint applied to a surface, providing a foundation for additional coats or decorative finishes.

Bleeding: The migration of color from an underlying surface, often caused by poor adhesion, insufficient drying time, or incompatible paint materials.

Blistering: The formation of bubbles or raised areas on a painted surface due to loss of adhesion, often caused by moisture or improper preparation.

Brush strokes: Visible marks left by a paintbrush on a painted surface.

Caulk: A waterproof filler and sealant used to fill gaps or cracks before painting.

Chalking: A powdery residue that forms on a painted surface due to paint degradation from exposure to UV light and weathering.

Color palette: The selection of colors used in interior design.

Color wheel: A circular diagram used to illustrate the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

Cracking: The appearance of small cracks or splits in a painted surface, often caused by aging, poor adhesion, or inadequate surface preparation.

Drop cloth: A protective covering, often made of canvas or plastic, used to shield floors and furniture from paint splatters during painting projects.

Dry brushing: A decorative painting technique that involves applying a small amount of paint to a brush and lightly dragging it across a surface to create a textured effect.

Eggshell finish: A low-luster paint finish that has a slight sheen, resembling the surface of an eggshell.

Enamel paint: A type of paint that dries to a hard, glossy finish, often used for surfaces that require durability and easy cleaning, such as trim and doors.

Feng shui: A Chinese philosophical system integrating harmony and balance in interior design.

Faux finish: A decorative painting technique used to replicate the appearance of various materials, such as wood, marble, or stone.

Flat finish: A non-reflective paint finish that provides an even, matte appearance.

Foyer: The entrance hall or lobby of a building.

Gallery wall: A wall decorated with a curated arrangement of artworks, photos, mirrors, etc.

Glaze: A transparent or semi-transparent coating applied over a base paint color to add depth, texture, or other visual effects.

High-gloss finish: A highly reflective paint finish that provides a shiny, polished appearance.

Interior design: The art and practice of designing interior spaces.

Interior paint: Paint specifically formulated for use on indoor surfaces, offering durability and resistance to wear and staining.

Joint compound: A paste-like material used to fill and smooth seams between drywall panels before painting.

Kilim rug: A flatwoven rug with colorful geometric or tribal patterns, traditionally handmade in countries like Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan.

Latex paint: A water-based paint made with synthetic latex resins, known for its ease of application, quick drying time, and low odor.

Low-VOC paint: Paint that contains a reduced amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can contribute to air pollution and respiratory issues.

Masking tape: A type of adhesive tape used to protect surfaces and create clean, precise edges during painting projects.

Molding: Decorative trim used to accent walls, floors, or furnishings, made from materials like wood, plaster, or plastic.

Nap: The length of fibers on a paint roller cover, which determines the amount of paint it can hold and the texture it imparts on a surface.

Neutral colors: Hues like beige, tan, gray, and ivory that provide a subtle backdrop in interior design.

Oil-based paint: A type of paint.

Opacity: The degree to which a paint conceals the underlying surface; paints with higher opacity require fewer coats for full coverage.

Paint primer: A preparatory coating applied to a surface before painting, designed to improve adhesion, hide imperfections, and block stains or discoloration.

Paint roller: A cylindrical tool with a handle and a rotating cover, used to apply paint evenly across large, flat surfaces.

Paint thinner: A solvent used to reduce the viscosity of oil-based paints, making them easier to apply and clean up.

Peeling: The detachment of paint from a surface in sheets or flakes, often caused by poor adhesion, moisture, or improper surface preparation.

Quart: A unit of measurement for liquid, commonly used to denote paint volume; equal to 32 fluid ounces or 0.946 liters.

Rag rolling: A faux painting technique using a balled up cloth to apply glaze and create a mottled texture.

Roman shade: A window covering made of soft, folded fabric that lifts up to reveal the window.

Runner rug: A long, narrow rug designed to go in hallways, foyers, or alongside beds.

Satin finish: A paint finish with a smooth, velvety appearance and a slight sheen, offering a balance between flat and glossy finishes.

Scaffolding: A temporary structure used to provide a platform for workers and materials during painting or decorating projects at elevated heights.

Semi-gloss finish: A moderately reflective paint finish that provides a subtle shine and is resistant to wear and moisture, making it suitable for high-traffic areas.

Sheers: Lightweight, translucent curtains that allow filtered light into a room.

Spackling compound: A paste-like filler used to patch small holes, dents, or cracks in walls before painting.

Sponge painting: A faux painting technique that involves applying paint to a surface with a sponge, creating a textured or patterned appearance.

Stencil: A template made from plastic, paper, or other materials, featuring a cut-out design used to create patterns or shapes on a painted surface.

Tack cloth: A slightly sticky, lint-free cloth used to remove dust and debris from surfaces before painting.

Textures: Tactile surfaces like smooth, rough, soft, or hard used in interior design.

Tint: A small amount of colorant added to paint to create a specific shade or hue.

Trompe l'oeil: A realistic, illusionary painting technique that creates the appearance of three-dimensional objects or scenes on flat surfaces.

TSP (trisodium phosphate): A powerful cleaning agent often used to prepare surfaces for painting, particularly to remove grease, grime, and mildew.

Varnish: A transparent protective coating applied over painted or stained surfaces to enhance durability and appearance.

Wainscoting: Decorative wood paneling lining the lower portion of interior walls.

Wallpaper: A decorative material, typically made of paper or vinyl, featuring patterns or images, used to cover and adorn walls.

Wet edge: The technique of maintaining a continuous edge of wet paint during application to prevent visible seams or overlaps.

Window treatments: Decorative furnishings like curtains, blinds, or shutters used to cover windows.

Wood filler: A paste-like material used to fill gouges, dents, or cracks in wood surfaces before painting or staining.

Yellowing: The discoloration of paint, particularly oil-based or alkyd varieties, over time due to aging, exposure to light, or chemical reactions.

Zinc oxide: A white pigment commonly used in paint formulations, known for its excellent hiding power, durability, and resistance to mold and mildew.

Zinsser: A well-known brand that manufactures a range of paint primers, sealers, and other painting-related products designed to address specific surface challenges.