I’m not one to move furniture around. I tend to leave things where they are. Once, I lived with a woman who changed the living room furniture around every other week. It was crazy-making. I like things the way they are and want them that way forever. Still, there are times when you have to move some shit around.

It started with my decision to get rid of my library. The newly-empty book case—which is at the beginning of the narrowed hallway-like space that connects the living room to the kitchen—kind of asked to be turned outward. Now, its contents are visible in the main room.

Past the bookshelf is a giant wooden desk. Having it in the hallway narrowed the space to a pinch-point or bottleneck. Also, whenever I worked at the desk, I felt separated from the main workspace out front. It’s dark, so the overhead has to be turned on. I never liked it but didn’t know why or how to fix it, until I turned the bookshelf.

To the left of my armchair was a Craftsman workbench on wheels. I bought it initially to put my palette on and store paints and materials, but because I don’t use the big easel much and don’t paint with oils inside, it’s become an under-utilized storage surface. I swap the office desk and the workbench out and now the apartment feels much bigger. It’s sort of a magic trick. An illusion that’s actually real.

Next, the small book case that housed my Chicago book collection moves from the back of the hallway to kitty-corner to the shelf, flush against the left side of the flatfile. Now I’ll be able to see almost all the books I still own from the armchair. This is crucial, because part of the reason I’m getting rid of books and other belongings is that when they’re out of sight, they’re truly out of mind. If I see them every day, I’ll know whether they’re useful.

The main studio area is next for upheaval. I’ve rearranged this area the most in the four and a half years I’ve lived here. This new configuration is the best yet. Now I can access the deep bay window in the southwest corner that was previously blocked by a work table. The view of the in-progress wall is as unobstructed as it’s ever been. All these small adjustments add up to a huge difference. It feels like a new place though I’ve made it so mostly by subtraction.

I don’t really understand the idea of feng shui. Wikipedia decries how the concept’s been coopted by interior decorators from its old spiritual beginnings. There’s poetical stuff about wind and water that goes way over my head. All I know is that I moved some furniture around and feel renewed.

That’s religion enough for me.