Design and Decoration Terms Glossary - M

Machicolations:

openings formed for the purpose of defense at the tops of castles and fortifications by setting the parapet out on corbels to make it project beyond the face of the main wall. The space between the corbels left open to allow missiles to be thrown down.

Madras:

Was a term used to describe a red and black check cotton fabric originating from Madras, India. It now is used freely to cover a wide range of lightweight plain and sateen woven cottons, inexpensive in price that are imported from India.

Marble:

This is a form of metamorphic rock, a combination of igneous and sedimentary rocks undergoing a major change due to extreme influences of heat or pressure. It comes in numerous colours, white, grey, green, ochre, beige and is usually veined. It is a hardwearing beautiful product, expensive to purchase and lay as it is heavy and comes in slab form.

Marbling:

(Faux Finishes) is the imitation of the natural product of marble often called faux marble.

Marquetry

Marquetry:

This is a detail form of craft. A decorative design is cut into a veneer using contrasting materials, primarily wood. It is then applied to a surface. It is very popular in early French furniture making.

Marquisette:

(fabric) Light, sheer or open weave. Sometimes printed or dyed in light colors.

Matelasse:

(fabric) Double cloth with quilted or puckered surface patterning.

Medullary Rays:

These are thin plate like layers of special cells reaching from the pith to the Cambrian layer. They transport food horizontally in the tree from the bark to the pith. They also store food and are very predominantly visible in some trees for example oak and barely visible in other trees for example Pinus.

Metal Halide:

(lighting) Like fluorescents metal halides work on a discharge process. It is more of an industrial light and has a bluish tinge. Good for outdoor lighting of plants and gardens. However they are often used in retail environments as a way of increasing the lux level.

Metallic:

(wallcovering) Also called foils, these papers have a large percentage of metal on the surface, predominately Aluminium or powdered metals can be added to the ground paper.

Metals:

(texiles) In combination with other fibres, gold, silver, copper and stainless steel can be used as a fibre in the form of thin strands. Imitation metallics can be manufactured by coating a plastic with a metallic finish. Conductive metal strands can be manufactured into rugs to eliminate static buildup.

Metope:

(Metopse) the space between the triglyphs in the frieze of the Doric order.

Mineral Fibres:

(textiles) These are technically natural but have non-organic origins.

Minister:

The church of a monastery. The name also occasionally applied to a cathedral.

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