Architectural Surface Glossary

The De Ferranti Glossary is a growing archive of architectural, decorative and material terms for anyone interested in the world of exceptional surfaces.

Created for architects, interior designers, specifiers, makers and design-led clients, it brings together terminology from stone, marble, mosaic, terracotta, ceramic tile, heritage finishes, craft techniques and architectural detailing. It reflects our wider strengths as curators of museum-quality materials, where knowledge, provenance and craftsmanship are central to every surface we specify, source or create.

Throughout this website, glossary terms are linked directly into our content, allowing you to explore unfamiliar materials, processes and design references as you browse. The aim is simple: to make the language of architectural surfaces more accessible, more useful and more meaningful.

At De Ferranti, we believe surfaces carry history, technique and cultural intelligence. This glossary is part of that belief - a practical reference for understanding the words behind the work.