I agree with Jessie — the books I have are books I love and/or use. NOT to impress anybody with how well read I am. Good grief! Do people really do that these days?

My only point was if you’ve got the book, put it on a shelf, not in storage. Where it can indeed be an old friend and not something you’re hiding away.

And since I’m moving this week, I’m painfully aware of books as I’ve already boxed up 10 boxes of books and have probably 5 to go. I have 3 boxes of dining room/decorating stuff combined and 15 boxes of books! You know I love my books.

Uncluttering is not about getting rid of the tools you use, it’s about getting rid of the things you don’t use.

What this post does not provide is an assessment of whether all this freight is necessary to the productivity and success of subject.

I recall well my 7 years in a studio in NYC where I became increasingly attached to organizing the maximum of stuff in the minimum amount of space.

I’m not suggesting this subject suffers from same. Perhaps every single object displayed here has met the scrutiny of various and highly individual decluttering criteria. Hooray for that.

All that I am saying is that from my perspective, having been there, done that, that I am beyond the paradigm of maximizing stuff in minimal space. I am now into minimizing stuff to maximize space. I breathe a huge sigh of relief with each new layer of decluttering.

I came to the realization today that decluttering is the ultimate in optimism and in believing in a social / supportive network. If I need three extra … whatevers… or a tool designed to do … I can probably borrow it from friends. And loan them my, whatever. It’s a beautiful thing.

Books, I agree with earlier poster, if you’re not reading them, pass ‘em on. We know you’re smart and well-read. We don’t need to see the evidence. Jot down your life-long reading list, like Art Garfunkel (Google for his reading list over decades — impressive).

Two cents plus. But hey, that’s the CHI-KAAAH-GO way. Ask Richie Daley.

There is a lot going on in that space and it would make me anxious, but I have to assume it’s all equipment that gets used. It’s very difficult to come up with a good solution for all those components. They did a fine job.

To get the top books I do use a stool or simply climb on top of the desk. The very thin shelf at the top was put there mostly to hide the ugly but functional bar that all of the uprights and shelves hang from. I’m now thinking about some other ways to make that top shelf more functional.

My goal for this little office is for it to always keep evolving toward greater simplicity, functionality, and beauty. Thanks for all of your comments, ideas, and suggestions!

My one question: Do you have a stool tucked away for use in getting stuff off the mid- to higher shelves? I know I’d be sticking myself in the side every time on the cute plant shelf!