Do you ever find yourself driving along the freeway and see a random brown sign with some kind of historical point of interest listed, but have absolutely no idea what it is or why it merits a sign?
Every time I visit my mom and brothers in Southern California, I drive on the same freeway and pass the same signs: city limits, CHP dedicated stretches, and occasionally a brown, historical point of interest sign.
And every time I near my exit, I always take note of the “Sam Maloof House” sign, curious about what it is.
During my most recent trip to Southern California, I found myself with a free morning and nothing to do. Eager to have an adventure, and wanting to practice what I preach about not having to go far for an adventure, I decided to finally check out the Sam Maloof House.
Who was Sam Maloof?
Before I headed out to the Sam Maloof House, I did a quick Google search to figure out who this Sam Maloof person was. And boy, was I impressed!
I learned that Sam Maloof was a furniture designer and woodworker, born and raised close to where I grew up in Southern California. He was born to Lebanese immigrant parents, Simen and Anisse, who had fled Lebanon in 1905 when it was part of the Ottoman Empire. Sam learned to speak Arabic from his parents, Spanish from his housekeeper, even before he learned to speak English.
Sam took his first actual woodworking class in high school, although there are reports that his woodworking days began long before high school. After completing his obligatory service in World War II, Maloof returned to Southern California and began his work as a designer extraordinaire.
Almost out of necessity, Maloof began to build out his house using salvaged materials. He built numerous household pieces that garnered him a lot of attention, which then led to lucrative commissions. He is most notably recognized for his rocking chairs – so much so, that Presidents Ronald Raegan and Jimmy Carter became owners of Maloof “rockers.”
In 1985, Sam Maloof became the first woodworker to receive the MacArthur Fellowship.
Sam Maloof’s work has been featured at the MET, LACMA, Smithsonian, and other notable museums around the country.
What is the Sam Maloof House?
Located in the city of Alta Loma, the Sam Maloof house is the headquarters for the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for Arts and Crafts and has been converted into a museum. You can tour the actual house for a small fee, or you can stroll through the gardens and view the local art exhibits strategically placed for free. I opted for the free version.
The Sam Maloof House not only includes the residence, but an education center with living workshops where craftsmen can create in the Maloof-style. Scattered along the courtyard are tools that would be familiar to woodworkers and craftsmen alike. It was so cool to see them up close and peek into the windows to see what everyone was working on.
The Water Wise Discovery Garden is where I spent the most of my time while discovering the Sam Maloof House. I loved walking around the different style landscapes, representing a few of Southern California’s ecosystems.
The sky was dark, gray, and moody, which provided a beautiful contrast against the plants, flowers, and art exhibits I wasn’t expecting to see. Plus, the random snow added an ethereal element that I didn’t anticipate. It was unbelievably beautiful!
Even though I only spent about an hour enjoying the Sam Maloof House, it was a most welcomed adventure. I grew up mere miles from this place, and yet I had no idea what it was or that it even existed.
I’ve written about having stay-cations and traveling in your hometown, and I truly believe that there is wisdom in doing so.
Have you ever stopped to explore a sign and have an adventure like I did with the Sam Maloof House? What was your experience?
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