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INTERVIEW | Colin King on How to Style Color

INTERVIEW | Colin King on How to Style Color

INTERVIEW

Colin King on How to Style Color

We’re delighted to welcome Colin back to our Journal to muse on the making of Edition II of The Stylist’s Collection. A collector, curator and master of arranging things, King is constantly drawing inspiration from the natural world around him, even in his native New York! So it's fitting that the limited-edition Edition II is inspired by the hues of nature's palette. Read on to learn how he introduces colour into a neutral home, likes to style the collection and capturing the campaign in New York.

We’re delighted to welcome Colin back to our Journal to muse on the making of Edition II of The Stylist’s Collection. A collector, curator and master of arranging things, King is constantly drawing inspiration from the natural world around him, even in his native New York! So it's fitting that the limited-edition Edition II is inspired by the hues of nature's palette. Read on to learn how he introduces color into a neutral home, likes to style the collection and capturing the campaign in New York.

What inspired the color palette of this latest collection?

What inspired the color palette of this latest collection?

The inspiration for this collection was nature, I have a book called Nature's Palette that I returned to when building schemes and fantasizing about different designs. Whether it's the color of the wings of a butterfly, the veining of rock or even the warn surface of a seashell, I'm always looking for subtle hues within nature's palette.

I have a book called Nature's Palette that I returned to when building schemes and fantasizing about different designs. Whether it's the color of the wings of a butterfly, the veining of rock or even the worn surface of a seashell, I'm always looking for subtle hues within nature's palette.

What are your favorite pairings?

It would be really hard to choose a favorite pairing but if I had to, I would lean into the monochromatic feel. I love pairing the same color cushion and bedcover but I also like to throw in some variation. Artichoke is very versatile, I like to pair that with the Turmeric and also Cinnabar. Another pairing I love (and my go-to) would just be a beautiful sea of neutrals - I love bringing in the texture of Thatch to the simplicity of Flax.

It would be really hard to choose a favourite pairing in the collection but if I had to, I would really lean into the monochromatic feel of it. I love pairing the same color Cushion with the same color Bedcover but I also like to throw in some variation. Artichoke is very versatile, I like to pair that with the turmeric and also Cinnabar. Another pairing I love (and my go-to) would just be a beautiful sea of neutrals - I love bringing in the texture of Thatch to the simplicity of Flax.

How do you suggest introducing color into a neutral home?

There’s myriad ways I do this. Whether in a temporary way with flowers, textiles or it can even be as simple as switching out a vase or the glaze of a pot. I also like to use color as an object, very deliberately - I think it's important not to treat vibrant elements as ‘pops’ or ‘background’ but as building blocks that relate to the overall composition.


I think when establishing a palette in a space, it's important to look for similarities and differences. You can ask yourself questions such as is there a commonality to celebrate or is there a tension to build? How can one element in a room make another shine? The key is to use color very deliberately. For instance, my bedroom is painted a beautiful deep reddish brown and I think if a room is painted, I always look for ways to reveal that color, using objects or in this case textiles, to accentuate it and frame it everything - else in the room should cater to that color.

I have a lot of experience here, there’s myriad ways I do this. I like to do it in a temporary way whether it's with flowers, textiles or it can even be as simple as like switching out a vase or the glaze of a pot. I also like to use color as an object, very deliberately - I think it's important not to treat vibrant elements not as ‘pops’ or ‘background’ but as building blocks that relate to the overall composition.

I think when establishing a palette in a space it's important to look for similarities and differences. You can ask yourself questions such is there a commonality to celebrate or is there a tension to build? How can one element and a room make another shine? The key is to use color very deliberately. For instance my room is my bedroom is painted a beautiful deep reddish brown and I think if a room is painted, I always look for ways to reveal that color, using objects or in this case textiles, to accentuate it and frame it everything - else in the room should cater to that color.

The monastic bedcover style has become uber popular since our first collection last year, how do you style a bed for 2024?

The monastic bedcover style has become uber popular since our first collection last year, how do you style a bed for 2024?

I still lean very monastic when styling beds but I'm also trying to challenge myself and bring the pillows on top of the bed cover and also resisting the urge to smooth out every bump and really allow the movement to be seen within the sea of color.

I still lean very monastic when styling beds but I'm also trying to challenge myself and bring the pillows on top of the bed cover and also resisting the urge to smooth out every bump and really allow the movement to be seen within the sea of color.

How do you introduce texture into the bedroom?

The way I like to introduce texture into the bedroom is the bedcover itself - I think layering multiple that covers with each other really allows to have that relaxed, serene feel.

The way I like to introduce texture into the bedroom is the bedcover itself - I think layering multiple covers with each other really allows to have that relaxed, serene feel.

What is your number one bedroom refresh tip?

I think a really great way to refresh your bedroom is to really shop your own home! I am such an advocate for moving things around - I did write a book called Arranging Things - I love to bring in pieces from my living room into the bedroom and vice versa. I think when you move an object or switch out a textile it's a beautiful way to see pieces within your home differently and have a new experience.

I think a really great way to refresh your bedroom is to shop your own home! I am such an advocate for moving things around - I did write a book called Arranging Things - I love to bring in pieces from my living room into the bedroom and vice versa. I think when you move an object or switch out a textile it's a beautiful way to see pieces within your home differently and have a new experience.

What makes a bedroom truly personal and reflective of someone's personality?

What makes a bedroom truly personal and reflective of someone's personality?

I think the bedroom is one of the most intimate places in the home and it's really a place that I find sacred. I rarely allow anyone into my bedroom - it's very revealing, I mean from the books on my nightstand to even what I've tucked underneath my bed - it could reveal a lot about myself - it's also somewhere I like to keep very personal notes and reminders of family, I even have a little drawing from my niece tucked in my bedside table that I never look at but I know it's there and it brings me peace.

I think the bedroom is one of the most intimate places in the home and it's really a place that I find sacred. I rarely allow anyone into my bedroom - it's very revealing I mean from the books on my nightstand to even what I've tucked underneath my bed it could reveal a lot about myself - it's also somewhere I like to keep very personal notes and reminders of family, I even have a little drawing from my niece tucked in my bedside table that I never look at but I know it's there and it brings me peace.

We shot the last collection in England, how to you feel shooting this collection at home, in New York?

We shot the last collection in England, how do you feel shooting this collection at home, in New York?

It feels very special to be able to shoot this collection here in New York City, it's one of my biggest inspirations. There's something so beautiful about the city. Walking outside of my front door, I’m immediately humbled but I also feel immediately part of something bigger than me. Seeing someone on a park bench to a woman who lives on Park Avenue, that spectrum of people and the diversity and the culture that this city has to offer is just magic. In NYC, there's inspiration at every turn from the architecture to the color palette that the city has to offer and even the people - the drive and energy that it takes to to be in the city is super special and unique and it keeps me here and it keeps this feeling like home.

It feels very special to be able to shoot this collection here in New York City, it's one of my biggest inspirations. There's something so beautiful about the city. Walking outside of my front door, I’m immediately humbled but I also feel immediately part of something bigger than me. Seeing someone on a park bench to a woman who lives on Park Avenue, that spectrum of people and the diversity and the culture that this city has to offer is just magic. In NYC, there's inspiration at every turn from the architecture to the colour palette that the city has to offer and even the people - the drive and energy that it takes to to be in the city is super special and unique and it keeps me here and it keeps this feeling like home.

SHOP THE LOOK

Photography Rich Stapleton.
Styling Colin King.

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