An Eye for Interiors

The Charlet family has been busy lately! Company founders Don and Susan Charlet, working with their sons, Cage and John-Luke, have expanded and redefined their flagship business, The Corbel, opened men’s and women’s clothing boutiques, launched an events center, and opened a luxury hotel. With so many projects on the boil, perhaps it’s no surprise that their daughter-in-law, Lauren Charlet, got inspired to jump into the family enterprise, too. An interior designer and marketing specialist who trained in Los Angeles under esteemed designer Mark D. Sikes, Lauren designed and furnished the Hotel Toussaint’s elegant, French-inspired suites. She also leads the creative direction at The Corbel and heads the company’s social media and marketing operations. Recently Lauren took a break from adding finishing touches to The Corbel’s new outdoor garden space to chat with a visitor.

Q: Where did you find your inspiration for the Hotel Toussaint?

A: The hotel is true French interior design style. In every room, there is a painting by Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet. He was Napoleon’s official wartime artist, and we believe that the family is descended from him. We looked at the painting’s intent and matched the furniture to that. If there were men on horses, then we looked for powerful and masculine. In the process of finding furniture, it led the design of the room.

Q: For someone building a new home, how would you suggest incorporating antiques?

A: Find one piece that speaks to you, then design the whole room around it. But know your dimensions! Too many times, I’ve seen someone find a piece that they love, but that doesn’t fit their space. You want an even balance of old and new. Design is elevated and not one note, so finding balance is key. As for knick-knacks and decorative items, always pick it up if you love it. It means a lot for something to move you. 

Q: Is there an order to designing a new room? 

A: First, find whatever inspires you the most. Then lay out the fabrics at the beginning. It’s very important to have a true color story. Once everything is ordered and selected, then go hunt for that one-of-a-kind element in the room.

Q: What advice would you give people who have trouble finding their initial inspiration?

A: Look for images. Look online. Look on Pinterest. Find what you like, put it all on a board, and have your interior designer build it. And take your time, you can’t rush greatness. Marinate on every detail, because in the end, you want to love it. There is a quote by [American designer and architect] Charles Eames that I like to tell people: “The details are not the details. They make the design.” That is so true. 

Lauren is usually to be found in The Corbel, where she loves helping people working on their next great design project. Look for her next time you stop in at Commerce Street. 

To begin exploring The Corbel’s collection of European antiques and handmade furnishings, visit thecorbel.com.

Get a Room! To see inside Hotel Toussaint and for bookings, click HERE.