GLOSSARY
Baby Ostrich
Metals and Pearls, Baby Ostrich and Moccassin, distinctive materials engineered by Majilite Corporation, has the elegant appearance and touch of fine, soft glove leather with the durability and inherent stain resistance achieved through advanced technology.
The same space-age chemistry used to develop bullet-proof glass and high performance aircraft components has been successfully applied to fiber and textile engineering to produce the outstanding characteristics of the materials in the Nytek collection.
The nylon fibers in Nytek are laid down in a three-directional axis similar to the natural structure of collagen that is found in leather, resulting in superior durability. One ounce of this nylon micro fiber would be long enough to wrap around the equator several times.
Bamboo
A giant, hollow grass has crosswise membranes that form its distinct "knuckles". McGuire imports choice Yellow-Gold, Black-Brown and the rarest, Mottled "Shina Chiku", from Japan and China.
Chiffonier
A high narrow chest of drawers.
Cloisonné
A technique that involves enameling on metal and dates back to the Byzantine Empire. It is an intense process of meticulous handcraftsmanship that begins with metal strips soldered in a pattern onto a copper base. The resulting compartments, called cloisons, are filled with enamel powders consisting of silica and various metal oxides used to create colors and variations in opacity. Each piece is fired in a kiln to fuse the paste into colored glass. The enamel shrinks during the firing, and the process of refilling the cloisons with more enamel powder and firing must be repeated several times. The enamel surface is then ground to an even level with the top of the wires. Finally the surface is polished and the exposed wires are plated with gold.
Enamel
A vitreous, usually opaque coating that can be either protective or decorative that is then baked onto metal, glass or ceramic ware.
Honeycomb Cane
Featured weave of most of our (woven rattan caned) chairs, the pattern resembles the cross section cell pattern of a honey comb.
Lacquer
True organic lacquer is made of translucent sap collected from trees (rhus verniciflua) that are indigenous to East Asia.
Lumbar Pillow
A pillow for the lower back, sometimes referred to as kidney pillow.
Luxe Cushions
Our finest cushions with the softer feel of old-fashioned goose down.
Novasuede
Novasuede®, distinctive and unique, possesses the luxurious hand of fine kid suede and the soft surface feel of Nubuk leather. Elegant in appearance, Novasuede offers exceptional performance, comfort and durability. This specially engineered product is both lightweight and inherently strong, an ideal material for upholstery seating, wall covering and panel applications.
To produce Novasuede, super fine nylon micro fibers, one thousand times finer than silk, are intricately formed into a triaxial matrix which closely simulates the natural structure of leather. This micro fiber matrix formation results in a material that is soft and pliant yet unusually strong, in fact, stronger than leather on a strength to weight ratio.
The multidirectional surface fibers give the product its distinguishing tracking effect. Billions of micro pores within the Novasuede matrix transmit air and moisture vapor, allowing for complete breath ability. Novasuede feels cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Novasuede's exciting color palette offers an extensive array of rich, beautiful hues and tones.
Rattan
A solid jungle vine from the Far East, is flexible and tough. It will never splinter or break. Once molded, solid rattan retains its contours permanently.
Rawhide
A tough animal substance, it is pulled when wet around screw wedged dowelled joints. As the rawhide dries, it shrinks and forms a bond that will never loosen.
Repoussé
A hammering technique, also known as "chasing", used to create decorative relief in metal.
Soft Look
Finished without a welt; saddle stitched with double edges like a baseball.
Solid Teak
McGuire Solid Teak, plantation grown Tectona Grandis, is one of the world's most durable and solid grained woods. Teak reacts to the elements better than any other wood which is why it is used for sailboats and yachts but it will naturally fade to grey without regular maintenance. Please see the Product Care section to learn how to care for your teak as all teak ships from McGuire unoiled.
Square Mesh Caning
Featured in the Barbara Barry collection, it refers to the square mesh pattern of woven rattan.
Textiles
Fabrics comprised of a network of natural or artificial fibers. They are formed by weaving fibers together. McGuire Headlands Textiles are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
Welted
A tape or covered cord sewn into a seam as reinforcement and/or trimming.
Wood Veneers
A thin surface layer of carefully chosen wood bonded to a common base material.
Woven Split Peel
Derived from "Sega" rattan (a type of cane in which surface is bright and exhibits sheen or glossiness) reeds found in Philippines and Indonesia. The Sega is harvested, dried, cleaned, and split by hand using a cutting tool --thus thickness vary a bit. The splits are dampened before they are woven to the frame.