Local Lingo

 

  • ADOBE (a-doe-bee): Sun-dried brick made from mud and straw.
  • ANASAZI (an-a-saw-zee): Native American population who lived in the desert south-west and built cliff dwellings.
  • BANCO (bahn-co): Plaster-covered adobe bench situated near a kiva fireplace or on the patio used for extra seating.
  • CANALE (ka-nal-ay): A spout affixed to a flat roof allowing water to run off.
  • CASITA (ka-see-tah): A small house. May also refer to a guest house.
  • CORBEL (kor-bel): Decoratively carved wooden support used between posts and beams.
  • COYOTE FENCE (ky-o-tee): Juniper, cedar or aspen branches wired together vertically.  Originally designed to protect farm animals.  Now mostly used for privacy or as a decorative feature.
  • HORNO (or-no): Behive-shaped outdoor cooking oven made from adobe bricks.
  • KIVA FIREPLACE (kee-va): A rounded plaster/adobe fireplace usually located in the corner of a room.
  • LATILLA (la-tee-ya): Small branches of cedar, aspen or juniper placed between vigas to form a ceiling.
  • LINTEL (lin-tel): An exposed wooden support beam at the top of a window or door, sometimes painted or carved.
  • NICHO (nee-cho): A small indentation in a wall usually rounded at the top used as a shelf.
  • PINON (peen-yon): A slow-growing, aromatic evergreen pine native to the high desert commonly used for firewood.
  • PLAZA: City center or public square.
  • PORTAL: Covered porch, doorway or hallway.
  • PUEBLO (poo-eb-low): A village or small town.
  • PUEBLO STYLE: A classic architectural design found throughout Santa Fe. The exterior is constructed of adobe or frame and stucco with a flat roof, and the interior features include vigas, latillas, bancos and niches.
  • RISTRA (rees-tra): A long string to which red chilis are tied to dry.  Used for decoration and cooking.
  • SALTILLO TILE (sal-tee-yo): Fired, earth-toned tile made in Mexico.  A very popular floor covering material in Santa Fe.
  • SANTOS (sahn-tos): Hand-carved, wooden figures of saints.
  • TERRITORIAL STYLE: Similar to pueblo-style but has angular instead of rounded corners and wood trim around the windows and doors.  May also have bricks along the roofline.
  • VIGA (vee-ga): Large, exposed, peeled log used as decorative horizontal support for ceilings.

Contact Information

Susan Orth and Isabella Luconi
City Different Realty
1709 Paseo de Peralta
Santa Fe NM 87501
Susan Orth 505-310-4133
Isabella Luconi 505-670-2224
Fax: 505-629-4315
Send An Email