While artists and writers love them some pencils, they may love them some workspaces even more. Most of us could spend our lives looking at/wandering in/rummaging through other’s creative spaces.

But why? What is it about work spaces that fascinates us? When we see Mark Twain’s office, do we think “Hey, if I stack some books on my desk like that, maybe I’ll write well, too”? Or do we just like to soak in the Feng Shui of talented people’s surroundings?

The fact is, none of us work alone. Even when we’re sitting by ourselves in a room, we still have our workspaces with us. It looks over our shoulders. It distracts us. It gives us a moment of peace, or a moment of inspiration, or even a flashback to a more productive time! In that sense, our space is a silent partner; one that works with us and against us when we least expect it.

So, maybe the reason why we love to gaze at offices and desks and choices of pens is the same reason we like to study the faces of our creative heroes, and imagine what’s going on behind their eyes. Maybe we like to wonder at their ghostly partner, their roost where our favorite creations came from.

Here are some excellent examples of how the greats crafted their worlds so they could craft worlds for you.