OBELISK - slender, tall, tapering Egyptian stone monument with pyramidal top, often reproduced in miniature as an accessory. See PYRAMID
OCCASIONAL TABLE - generic term used for any small table
OCCUPANCY - the number of people a building or particular space is estimated to hold
OCCUPANCY LOAD - maximum number of people expected to use a space
OCULUS - circular window or a circular opening at the top of a dome
OGEE EDGE - edge detail with an "S" shaped profile
OFFICE - individual properties or space within a building specifically designed to conduct business activities and transactions
OLEFIN - synthetic polypropylene fiber
OMBRE - fabric construction created in weft yarns with graduated or shaded tone or color patterns
ONDELETTE - continuous filament rayon yarn with entangled slubs
ONE WAY DRAW - refers to drapery panel operations where the panels moves in one direction, either left or right
OPAQUE - surface or material, which does not allow light to pass, i.e. black-out lining
OPEN OFFICE - system utilizing freestanding screens, work surfaces and storage components, rather than walls to divide space
ORGANDY - thin, transparent, stiff and wiry cotton cloth, which retains it's stiffness after repeated laundering
ORGANZA - sheer, stiff silk or synthetic fiber, often used for fashionable evening wear
ORGANZINE - fine quality silk yarn twisted from multiple strands of raw silk, often used in damask and taffeta fabrics
ORMOLU - cast brass, chiseled and gold-gilded decorative mountings for furniture
ORNAMENT- decorative object or design added to another object, i.e. marquetry, ormolu, passementerie
ORNAMENTAL - decorative objects or designs added as an embellishment on another object, beyond function
ORNAMENTATION - the act of applying purely decorative details or designs to buildings, furniture, etc.
OTTOMAN - heavy fabric with pronounced crosswise ribs; upholstered furniture piece used as a foot rest or seat
OUTDOOR LIGHTING - lighting applications used to enhance grounds and structure
OUTDOOR LIVING - furnished spaces created outdoors for family activities
OUTLINE QUILTING - hand quilting technique where stitches follow printed motifs on fabric
OUTSIDE MOUNT - installation of window coverings placed on the wall beyond the window frame. See INSIDE MOUNT
OVERDOOR - horizontal, arched or gabled building element added over a door surround or entry door. See PEDIMENT
OVERLAP - to extend over and cover another section
OVER PRINTED - dyed, base fabric with printed pattern over the top
OVER SCALED - large in scale for the space