Woodworker: Michael HurwitzThe first Sam Maloof piece I ever saw was in a show I went to in high school. Wendell Castle also had work in that show, and there was a period after that when I was watching both Sam and Wendell—two titans— having very different careers. I loved the fact that Wendell’s work kept changing and I loved that Sam kept doing what he always did. They were both inspirations. I never felt like Sam was making a similar chair because he was out of ideas; I just thought that’s the way his mind worked. His chairs are something you can count on. They feel like home. Just today I sat in one of his rockers, and they’re as wonderful to sit in as they are to look at. Part of the experience is stroking the armrests and the seat as you’re sitting there. I like going home for Thanksgiving, and Sam’s work feels like that. Full Circle: Decades after his own work inspired Hurwitz, Sam Maloof saw the younger man’s striking rocker (shown) on the cover of a book, and was inspired to design a rocking chaise of his own. Maloof finished it earlier this year. Photo: Tom Brummet From Fine Woodworking #207