From Forest to Furniture
The Arbor Slab Table – Crafted in Sapele with Ebony Details
"Sometimes when you see a log, you know it is going to make something beautiful and amazing," explains Fabrizio (Fabs) Corte, owner of Cormark International, a North Carolina based family owned lumber business. When he saw this sapele log in Cameroon, he knew it could be crafted into a stunning piece.
A cornerstone of Cormark's commitment is sustainability. They are committed to the local communities where they purchase wood. "We have a strong commitment to the environmental issues that face our industry and will only purchase from reputable and environmentally sound saw milling groups," explains Corte. "We have through the years managed to build up long lasting relationships with saw milling groups that have a strong environmental, social and humanitarian obligation to the areas and communities they work in. That is very important to us."
"Once this unique log was sawn, I knew we had to find an artisan to transform this wood," Fabs explained. This is where certified master craftsman, Brian Brace, comes in. "When Fabs showed me this sapele, I knew right away that this was the perfect wood to use for a design I'd been working on in my head for a while," says Brace. He hadn't made a slab table before but had been dreaming up a design. The remarkable grain and the stunning topography of the live edges were calling to all those involved. "This was perfect material for a large dining table that would be the centerpiece of a room," Brace said.
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Frequently asked questions
Where does Cormark International source its sapele wood?+
Cormark International sources sapele from Cameroon. Owner Fabrizio Corte personally identifies logs with exceptional potential during sourcing.
How does Cormark International ensure sustainable lumber sourcing?+
Cormark only purchases from reputable and environmentally sound saw milling groups, building long-lasting relationships with mills that have strong environmental, social, and humanitarian commitments to the communities where they operate.
Who is Fabrizio Corte?+
Fabrizio 'Fabs' Corte is the owner of Cormark International, a North Carolina based family-owned lumber business.
Why was sapele chosen for the slab dining table?+
The sapele log featured remarkable grain and stunning topography on its live edges, making it ideal material for a large dining table intended to be the centerpiece of a room.
Who crafted the sapele slab table for Cormark?+
Certified master craftsman Brian Brace was selected to transform the sapele wood. It was his first slab table, based on a design he had been envisioning for some time.