Sam Maloof Quotes

I want to be able to work a piece of wood into an object that contributes something beautiful and useful to everyday life.

I try to make my things aesthetically pleasing; but, if it isn’t functional, people will ‘oo’ and ‘aah’ over it in an exhibit but they won’t buy it. … My feeling is a chair has to be functional and comfortable for tall and short alike.

My goal is to make furniture that people can be comfortable living with. If you’re not preoccupied with making an impact with your designs, chances are something that looks good today will look good tomorrow.

I try to live right. I always try to adhere to what I think is right, and that, to me, is the most important part of creative work.

The reverence that the object maker has for the materials, for the shape, and for the miracle of his skill transcends to God, the Master Craftsman, the Creator of all things, who uses us, our hands, as His tools to make these beautiful things.

Whatever I'm working on, I get excited. It does not matter whether I have done the same piece many times. I still can't wait to get out to the shop in the morning.

There’s a lot of work being done today that doesn’t have any soul in it. The technique may be the utmost perfection, yet it is lifeless. It doesn’t have a soul. I hope my furniture has a soul to it.