You might find the terms shoe lasts and shoe trees used interchangeably in the descriptions of online sellers. We have done the same. But they are actually different things.
A shoe last is used in the actual manufacture of shoes, used to form the top of the shoe. A true shoe form will not be flat on the bottom, it will be arched so the top of the shoe can be added to a sole and a heel. It should also have tack marks on the bottom from stretching the leather.
A shoe tree, on the other hand, is used by shoe owners to properly care for their leather shoes. A good pair of shoes deserves a good shoe tree to maintain its shape. Good shoe trees have a last-shaped front and heel-shaped back so the wrinkles can be smoothed out and moisture wicked out.
While one has an important function in everyday life and one has an important function for shoemaking, whether bespoke or industrial, what shoe lasts and shoe trees have in common is that vintage ones are decorative as heck.
Bliss Ranch used the handles of vintage shoe trees to make a wall rack with pegs.
Rustic Crafts uses a shoe last as a photo holder.
There are lots of clever variations of shoe-last lamps, from a stacked lamp sold on Anthropologie to handmade lamps on Etsy and other independent vintage dealers.
To read more about how to use shoe trees:
What is a Shoe Tree and Why You Should Be Using Them from Footwear News
The Shoe Tree Bible from monsieurchaussure.com
