Colin King speaks the language of objects—literally.

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“I hear objects in this weird, abstract way,” says the industry’s go-to interior stylist. “There has to be a harmony between them for me to feel right about a space.”

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With countless projects gracing the pages of Architectural Digest, his new book, Arranging Things, and collaborations with brands like Cultiver and Beni Rugs—where he serves as artistic director—Colin has been on a hot streak: “I’ve had a monumental past year,” he says. “I’ve gotten to this place in my career because I’ve just said ‘yes’ to everything.”

This week, Colin sat down with host Jake Arnold for the latest episode of The Expert Podcast. Join them as they discuss everything from how to create harmony in a room to Colin’s methodical approach to incorporating color.

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On Translating Design to the Page

As a stylist to some of the world’s top designers and brands, Colin is conscious of capturing the soul of a space: “The feeling I get in a room is what I want to make sure translates onto the page,” says Colin. “I’m privileged enough to work in some of the most beautiful spaces in the world and I don’t take that job lightly.”

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On Getting Started

Colin knows that styling at home starts with giving himself permission to fail in order to succeed. “The first step is always the hardest one,” he says. “It’s all about staying curious and using trial and error. I’ve worked with people who will set an object on a table and then immediately take it away before taking the time to consider why it might not work. Ultimately, I find people never want to take a step back to take it all in.”

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On the Power of Good Bones

In a recent renovation of his Manhattan loft, Colin knew exactly where to invest his resources to best maximize impact, “I don’t have super expensive stuff in my own apartment,” he shares. “But it all looks expensive because I invested in the framework. I knew that if I made the bones good, anything that I put inside would look amazing.”

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On Investing in a Happy Home

If there’s one thing that Colin recommends when it comes to buying pieces for your space, it’s to follow the joy. “I’ve never gone wrong in buying something that I really love,” he says. “If I’m naturally drawn to something, I always get it. By surrounding yourself with pieces you truly love, you’ll never get buyer's remorse.”

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On Entering his Color Era

Despite being known for his love of neutrals, Colin has developed quite a color crush. “When I’m moodboarding or looking at swipes, the palette is such an important place to start,” he explains. “I like to build a room around 2-3 colors so you have a protagonist, an antagonist, and a neutral connector. I look at it like an ensemble.”

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Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts now.