DESIGN DICTIONARY: Reeding and Fluting

Hooker Furniture's Melange Fluted Kidney Desk

Note the reeding on the arm of this classical sofa.

If you are going to walk the walk, you should talk the talk.

What are reeding and fluting?

REEDING AND FLUTING: Both are types of ornamental carving.  Think convex (out) for reeding and concave (in) for fluting.  

Reeding consists of rounded convex ridges similar to gadrooning.  Fluting consists of concave channels or grooves. 

Line drawing of reeding and fluting

Fluting

Furniture legs with fluting.

Desk with fluting decoration

Demilune table with fluted skirt and fluted legs early 19th century.

Reeding

A leg with reeding

Beehive doorknob with reeding.

This may not look like much but it is a Fine Classical New York Footstool with brass cap feet, fully reeded c. 1810

So now you know.  Fluting is not this: 

"Boy Playing Flute" Judith Leyster (1609 to 1660)

And reeding is not that:

"The Magdalene Reading" Rogier van der Weyden Mid-15th Century

Photo credits:Hooker Furniture Desk, Classical Sofa, Line drawingFluting on legsLeg with reedingBeehive doorknob with reeding.Fluted tableReeded footstoolDesk with fluting decoration