When we moved out of cubicle-land and into the light-filled studio/work/public event space we designed and created for ourselves, I had the usual desk installed in my office. But this felt wrong. My working style—like the nature of the work I do—is fluid and conversational. So the desk went away, and what I have is a gathering space with a coffee table that holds what my desk would hold. It’s often much messier than today. Books tend to pile up until they topple. I prefer to write and think curled on my sofa, with an open space around me. And I’m always happy if a few of my colleagues are sitting across from me or reclining on pillows around the walls.—KRISTA TIPPETT