Austin Luxury Home Lingo

Searching for an luxury homes requires its own set of lingo, but a highly qualified Austin REALTOR® with extensive knowledge of the area housing market and the types of luxury homes available can help make the process easier. This list of luxury home terms consists of some of the words you may come across when conducting your Austin home search.

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Definitions

Al fresco dining – Outdoor dining. In the context of luxury homes, this often means dining on an open-air veranda, courtyard, terrace, or balcony. With Austin luxury homes, this may also include dining alongside Lakes Austin and Travis or while enjoying hill country views.  

Alcove - An architectural term for a recess in a room, usually screened off by pillars, balustrades, or drapery

Appliance garage - Kitchen compartment or cabinet designed for housing frequently-used small electric appliances, such as coffee makers, juicers, and toaster ovens.

Backsplash - An upright surface or border in a kitchen, typically made of natural stone tile, that protects the wall behind a sink or stove. Also can be intricately designed in a mural-style.

Balustrade - A rail and the row of balusters or posts that support it, as along the front of a gallery

Bar sink - A small sink located on a wet bar

Baseboards - A molding that conceals the joint between an interior wall and the floor, often increasing in size in luxury homes

Beveled glass - Plate glass that has its perimeter ground and polished at an angle

Boat dock – a structure designed to secure a boat in the water. In Austin, this would be securing a boat in Lake Austin or Lake Travis. Some homes on the lakes may offer a boat dock for one boat, or up to several slips for multiple boats.

Boat lift – a structure designed to secure a boat above water, for protection from corrosion and from winds or waves knocking it against its dock. An electric lift allows for quick lifting and lowering into the water for ease of use.

Brick oven - A masonry oven, colloquially known as a brick oven or stone oven, is an oven consisting of a baking chamber made of fireproof brick and is most often used in homes to make pizza

Butler’s pantry - Historically, a butler’s pantry was a small room between the formal dining room and the kitchen where the family silver and formal china were stored. The butler often slept here, as it was his job to guard the silver. Today, the space has evolved into a wet bar and prep area, as well as a display area for design elements and decorative items.

Cabana  - A lightweight shelter typically with an open side facing a swimming pool, sometimes with a wet bar or small living space

 

Cantilever  -A projecting structure, such as a beam, that is supported at one end and carries a load at the other end or along its length

Carriage house  -Historically a building for housing a horse-drawn carriage, now typically a building that has been converted into a separate living or dwelling area or garage.

Ceiling mount rain head -A large shower head mounted to a ceiling with a downward-facing flow

Chalet  -A wooden dwelling with a sloping roof and widely overhanging eaves, common in Switzerland and other Alpine regions

Circular driveway -A driveway forming a large circle in front of a house

Classic -The artistic style of ancient Greece with an emphasis on proportion and harmony

Cobblestone walkway - A sidewalk or path made up of round, flat stones held together with mortar

Coffee bar -An alcove in a kitchen or living room with a coffee pot, a small sink, and storage for coffee utensils

Coffered ceiling -A sunken panel in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon in a ceiling

Commercial range -An oven adequate for use in a restaurant or other commercial facility

Concealed hinges -A hinge that is attached to the door and the inside end panel or stile of a cabinet, making it invisible from the exterior

Contemporary  -A design that features streamlined shapes, large unadorned windows, and industrial materials

Convection oven  -An oven having a fan that shortens cooking time by circulating hot air uniformly around the food

Country  -A style typified by rural details, including a handmade quality with traditional, homestead architectural assets

Crown molding -A molding used on cornice or wherever an interior angle is to be covered, especially at the roof and wall corner.

Double oven -Two ovens available for baking and warming simultaneously

Double pane windows -Windows with two panes of glass to insure better insulation

Down lighting -Lighting with adjustable brightness

Dual climate control -A thermostat with the ability to set different temperatures in different areas of the home, particularly helpful in large or multi-level homes

Dumbwaiter -a small elevator used to convey food (or other goods) from one floor of a building to another

Energy Star -An international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States of America

Ensuite bathroom -A bathroom adjoining a bedroom

Ergonomic hand spray faucet -A faucet designed to provide optimum comfort and to avoid stress or injury

Farm sink -Single, large rectangular bowl with exposed apron front, popular for cottage-style and country-style kitchen designs

Fire pit -A large space for building fires in outdoor living areas, typically an iron bowl

Flash heater - A water heater that quickly heats water as it passes through rather than storing water and slowly heating it

Foyer -An entrance hall or other open area in a home, often considered a showpiece of the home, as it is in public view from the front door. Luxury homes often feature elaborate or well-appointed foyers. Public or semi-public rooms, such as the living room, dining room, or family room, typically attach to a home's foyer.

Frameless glass doors -Glass doors, typically in a shower, that do not have a visible frame.

 

 

French Cottage style - Inspired by the manors of Provence, this style marries rustic, country style with French elements like pitched roofs and gables.

French doors -A set of double doors with glass panes throughout its length, designed to provide a broader view or increased ventilation

Frescoes  -A painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling; can refer to any painting on a wall in a home

Full extension drawers -Drawers that pull completely out for full visibility

Gas fireplace -A fireplace utilizing gas that does not require fuel such as wood to burn

Gatehouse -A lodge or small structure at the entrance to the driveway of an estate

Granite -A sturdy stone most often used in countertops

Hangar -A storage, typically for a plane or helicopter

Heated floors -Floors heated by radiant heat surfaces beneath the tiles, stone, or wood

Heated towel rack –An electric towel rack that can be turned on to heat the towels hanging from them

Helipad  -A landing pad for a helicopter, a hard surface away from potential obstacles so that a helicopter may land safely

High efficiency -A description for appliances that are energy efficient and/or water efficient

High style faucet -A faucet with a gooseneck or set high on the wall to accommodate filling large vessels

Home Gym - an indoor room with cardio fitness equipment, weight machines, free weights, and any type of exercise equipment preferred by a home owner. Often includes technological features, such as television or wi-fi, for leisure or work.

In-law plan -A separate apartment or living quarters inside of a house, so named for its suitability for a mother-in-law who may come to live in the house

Infrared sauna -Utilizes infrared heaters to emit infrared radiant heat, which is absorbed directly into the human body. Infrared saunas penetrate more deeply than traditional saunas.

Infinity pool - A swimming pool whose positioning gives the impression that it merges into the surrounding landscape. Often overlooking a body of water, such as a river or bay, or on a hillside or cliff.

Invisible appliances – Appliances, such as a refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, or washer and dryer, with exteriors disguised to match the cabinetry, the idea being that it feels more welcoming.

Island cook top -A kitchen island with a stovetop feature, designed so the stove is centrally located to food prep areas. Also frees up more cabinet and counter space around the kitchen.

Jetted tub -Also known as a Jacuzzi or hot tub, a jetted tub has air jets positioned around the basin

Koi pond - A small pond with Japanese goldfish and lilypads

Landing -A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. Often used when stairs change direction

Log fireplace -A traditional wood-burning fireplace

Mediterranean -A style mimicking Greek and Spanish architecture found around the Mediterranean Sea

Modern -Developed or advanced style, technique, or technology, typically with sleek, clean lines

Multi-spray shower -Also known as a spa shower, features water jets on the side walls in addition to overhead

Outdoor kitchen -A kitchen, typically featuring a grill and sink, found in an outdoor living space

Parquet – Derived from a French term, parquet flooring is a type of wood flooring that utilizes mosaic-shaped pieces to create a decorative effect

Pedestal sink -A bathroom sink that sits on a column;the column is designed to hide the plumbing of the drain

Pedestal tub -A tub sitting on a base instead of feet

Pivot doors -A shower door that rotates on two metal pivots on the top and bottom of the door

Platform tub -A tub that is sunk into an exterior platform that typically matches the cabinetry

Playscape -A designed and integrated set of playground equipment

Porte-cochère -"coach gate" or "carriage porch," the architectural term for a porch- or portico-like structure at a building’s entrance through which a vehicle can pass in order for the occupants to alight under cover, protected from the weather

Portico -A structure consisting of a roof supported by columns at regular intervals, typically attached as a porch to a building

Pot filler -A secondary sink in a kitchen with a faucet placed high on a wall to make filling large pots easy, typically found close to the cooktop

Radiant heat flooring -A floor that radiates heat from beneath the tiles

Recessed lighting -Lighting that is sunk into the ceiling, for example, can lights

Recessed medicine cabinet -A medicine cabinet that is sunk into the wall so the door is flush with the wall

Resort-style -A property with all the amenities of a resort, which may include a pool, tennis courts, and waterfront access

Saline pool -A swimming pool with salt water that does not require chemicals for sanitation

Septic system -A small scale sewage treatment system common in areas with no connection to main sewer lines

Solarium – Intended to allow for additional sunlight and warmth, solariums are attached rooms constructed mainly of glass walls, glass roofs, and curved glass corners.  

Southwest  -A style that mimics homes found in the U.S. Southwest region

Steam shower -A steam shower is a small cabin or enclosure designed to contain heated water vapor that has been created using a humidifying steam generator

Strip lighting -Lighting arranged on a linear strip on the ceiling

Structured wiring -Refers to various types of wiring installed in a home for audio, video, telephone, and data

Sub-zero -Sub-Zero brand refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage are designed with advanced technologies and are popular in luxury homes due to their sealed systems, advanced temperature controls, and humidity systems

Sunken Tub - A bath tub that is flush with the floor rather and must be descended into rather than sitting on a pedestal or feet

Surround sound -A system of stereophonic sound involving three or more speakers surrounding the listener so as to create a more realistic effect, often installed throughout rooms with televisions or theatre screens

Tankless heater -A water heater that does not store water but instead heats it instantly as it is used

Terrace -A level paved area or platform next to a building, also known as a patio or veranda

Theatre room -A room suitable for viewing films without light interruptions, usually by being built in a basement, a windowless room, or a room decorated with heavy, light blocking drapes. Can be quite elaborate in luxury homes, with theatre-style draperies, top-of-the-line acoustic systems, refreshment bars, etc.

Traditional  -A style that is simple in structure but often has ornate details

Trim -Additional decoration, typically along the edges of something and in contrasting color or material

Tuscan -A style mimicking Italian country villas, typically with stucco walls and tile roofs

Utility sink -Deep fixed basin, supplied with hot and cold water, which is used for rinsing off mops and disposal of cleaning water

Vanity -A wide, counter-like shelf containing a wash basin

Vapor proof hi hat -Helps disperse water vapor to keep humidity low; especially important in a bathroom with electronic equipment, such as a stereo or television

Vaulted ceiling -An architectural term for an arched form used to provide a space with a ceiling or roof

Venetian plaster – Plaster mixed with marble dust that is applied to wall and ceiling finishes in a variety of tints. Can create the look of marble on surfaces where marble panels cannot be installed easily, such as on columns.

Veranda – A roofed porch or balcony alongside a house or building that is often partially enclosed, such as with a railing. In some cases, a veranda will lead into a courtyard.

Vessel sink -A sink set on top of a cabinet resembling a bowl

Wainscoting -A facing or paneling, usually of wood, applied to the walls of a room

Water feature -A general term that can mean a lily pond, a fountain, or any decorative outdoor feature that includes water

Waterfront -Referring to property residing alongside a body of water

Wine cellar -A dark cool cellar, where wine is stored

Wine chiller -A small cooler resembling a mini-refrigerator where wine can be stored in a kitchen

Xeriscape  -A style of landscape design requiring little or no irrigation or other maintenance, used in arid regions