There is an untold story that lives in each piece of wood in a
home. The carpenter begins the tale, cutting the raw material and
shaping it slowly, his hands sliding over each curve and smoothing
each flat surface until the piece emerges. From that point, it may
be painted many different colors, handed down generations, lovingly
polished by wrinkled hands, cherished as an heirloom, or even cut
up to make something else. Each groove, each layer of paint holds a
memory, an era of life, a story all its own.
The owners of The Corbel, husband and wife team Don and Susan
Charlet, allow their rustic pieces to stand alone for exactly that
purpose. "Our specialty is doing virtually anything with old wood,"
Don says.
Each item in their 11,000-square-foot space on Highway 61 has a
story waiting to be told. An eclectic mix of furniture, reclaimed
building materials, and one-of-a-kind creations await
discovery.
Their front showroom overflows with antiques, gift items,
stained glass, and interior accessories. The lighting selection
includes unique chandeliers, sconces, and table lamps featuring
both rustic and modern styles. "If you are looking for that one
perfect light fixture in your home, we can make it for you," Don
points out.
The remaining 4,000-square-foot warehouse contains custom
furniture made from antique woods such as heart pine and cypress.
Shoppers will find architectural treasures like reclaimed doors and
shutters, old corbels, and reclaimed stained glass. "I do most of
the design work," says Don, who is assisted by carpenter Dusty
Pourciau.
All of the wood at The Corbel has been salvaged from historic
sites throughout the United States and Europe. The seven-year-old
shop, located in Jackson, Louisiana, is named after the historical
architectural bracket that has seen an increase in present-day
popularity: the corbel.
"We collect salvaged pieces and transform them into new
furniture, accent pieces, building materials, and gift items," says
Don. Antique beams, old doors, and a variety of architectural
elements are in the process being transformed into custom
furniture, flooring material, and various unique creations. The
Charlets have learned to let the wood speak for itself; the
creative process follows along behind it.
"We recently received a container shipment from Europe," says
Don. "Some of the arch-top windows have been taken out of old
houses in France and Belgium. We are keeping the unusual shapes and
the colors of the old paint and making them into mirrors," he
explains.
The unique pieces at The Corbel are an especially big hit during
the holiday season, when everyone is looking for gifts that will
stand out from the rest.
Even small pieces of antique wood are transformed into key
holders to hang on the wall, a perfect stocking stuffer. "I think
the hot items this year will be our handmade alligator gumbo
spoons. They are fashioned from pewter and have handles in the
shape of alligators."
Some other popular holiday items are serving trays and lazy
Susans made from antique wine barrel tops. A new creative line of
jewelry has also been recently introduced. These unusual pieces,
crafted from reclaimed antique rosaries, include exquisite
bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.
"One of the hottest products right now is the antique 'dirty
top' flooring," Don says. "We salvage old boards, mostly antique
heart pine, and retain the old patina. This look is only gained by
100 years or more of weathering."
The Corbel also offers high-quality Early American stained
glass. "Most of the stained glass pieces we carry have been
salvaged from houses or churches. Each one was designed and
handmade by a commissioned artist," Don reveals.
Antique architectural elements are wonderful items to enhance
the home. Finding them can often be challenging. At The Corbel,
there are marvelous surprises everywhere. The shop offers a
treasure trove of unique items that epitomize Don and Susan's
devotion to creating one-of-a-kind pieces. "I believe the one thing
that gives people the desire to come back to our store is that
feeling of new life," Don says. "It is the same feeling you get
from restoring things that are old and almost gone and giving them
new life."