BATH AND KITCHEN DESIGN, ARCHITECTURAL STYLES, AND MORE

Look Here Right Now for Bathroom and Kitchen Design Ideas, architectural style ideas, Landscaping techniques, building materials, and more.

This FREE, fully illustrated dictionary covers virtually all things related to architecture and home design.

See beautiful home interiors with outstanding living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen designs. Use your imagination!

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Also see links to other Free Books by this author.

ABODE

The Picture Dictionary of Home Design And Architecture

by Judee Shipman

CHAPTER 4

BACKFILL - BAY AND GABLE

BACKFILL: A packing material (usually dirt) that is used for filling in gaps caused by construction.

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BACKING: Lumber installed in between (and attached to) wall studs, to provide additional support for walls.

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BACK SAW: A handsaw that is reinforced along the blunt edge to prevent wobbling.

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BACK SPLASH: A section of granite, ceramic tile, or other hard textile affixed to the wall around a sink and counter tops. This protects the walls from moisture damage.

The back splash is an important part of bathroom and kitchen design, and should be chosen with care.

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BALCONY: A platform (typically surrounded by a guardrail) attached to the exterior wall of a building, and accessible from the inside. In some cases, a balcony can be an extension of your home kitchen design.

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BALLAST: Any weighted material whose purpose is to increase structural stability, such as the gravel placed alongside railroad tracks.

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BALLFLOWER: A type of ornamental architecture that resembles a ball inserted into the cup of a flower.

Typically seen on stair railings, or placed in rows along edges for decorative effect.

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BALLOON FRAMING: A type of construction (now seldom used) that involves long, floor-to-ceiling beams.

Shown below, a scale model of a balloon framed home.

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BALL PEEN HAMMER: A hammer with a head that is rounded at one end.

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BALUSTER: One of the vertical bars underneath handrails and guardrails.

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BALUSTRADE: Any row of balusters topped by a rail, as seen on staircases and balconies.

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BANDSAW: An electric saw whose blade is a band of serrated metal.

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BAR CLAMP: An F-shaped gripping tool. Also known as an F-Clamp.

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BARGE BOARD: A decorative board that is fastened to the gables of a roof for reinforcement and/or visual appeal.

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BARN: Traditionally, a building in which large animals are housed.

However, some barns are renovated into spacious homes with open floorpans and rustic kitchen design motifs.

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BAROQUE: An intense, church-inspired style of architecture, which originated in Italy during the late 16th century.

The style is characterized by a dramatic use of light, featuring angular forms that provide a sharp, shadowy contrast.

Shown below, two ideas for Baroque-inspired kitchen design.

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BARREL VAULT: A long, curved passageway formed by many arches stacked adjacently.

Shown below, a Baroque barrel vault with frescoes at St. John Cathedral in Malta.

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BASEBOARD: A long, narrow strip of board placed against the wall at floor level for visual effect.

In kitchen design, baseboards are also useful along the bottoms of counters and appliances, as shown below.

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BASEMENT: A type of foundation that creates a large interior space which is partially or fully submerged underground.

The ceiling must be of at least a certain height to "legally" call it a basement. Otherwise, it is known as a Crawl Space.

Some basements are converted into charming studio apartments with cozy bathroom and kitchen design elements, as shown below.

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BASE SHOE: A rounded strip of molding located between the baseboard and the floor. Also known as a carpet strip.

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BASIN WRENCH: A plumbing tool that used in confined spaces, such as sink drains. Also known as a Sink wrench.

Keep one handy when doing bathroom or kitchen design work.

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BATHROOM: The room in a building that contains most of the water and plumbing-related appliances such as a toilet, a sink, a tub, and a shower.

In real estate circles, a bathroom that contains all four of these elements is called a "Full Bath."

Bathrooms contain many of the same design elements seen in kitchen design, due to the similar need for water-resistant surfaces.

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BATT: A unit of insulation.

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BATTEN/BATON: A thin strip (typically of wood or metal) used in construction for decorative effect. Often used in kitchen design, but can be used in any place that seems appropriate.

Shown below, a board-and-batten house.