Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to tour the Sam Maloof home and workshop.  As many of you have also done, I had marveled at the pure genius of the man.  During one such visit, a small item caught my eye.  It was unusual enough to appeal to my woodworking and design interest, but not enough to steal the attention away from one of Sam’s spectacular chairs.  My wife always loved that little shoe bench, so I surprised her with one for her birthday.