Arranging Things

by Colin King, Sam Cochran

New York-based stylist Colin King shares his wisdom and insights for cultivating beauty in our everyday surroundings--composing objects into simple, sophisticated vignettes that enrich our homes and our lives.

We all desire our rooms to look attractive and reflect a considered approach. Now we have the mastery of Colin King to help us elevate our spaces into environments of personal creativity. Image after image, readers will discover how Colin works his magic when arranging objects on coffee tables, mantels, bookshelves, bedside tables, windowsills, and more. Through a series of anecdotes and visual essays, Colin unpacks his intuitive and deeply personal process, meditating on scale, proportion, palette, and texture. It's not about buying new things, but rather about dusting off old favorites and seeing them with fresh eyes--looking beyond intended use to discover deeper meaning in the everyday. There's always the element of chance while contemplating new arrangements again and again. Styling, readers will discover, is a metaphor for life and a daily practice to be honed over time.

The go-to stylist for many of the world's leading brands and publications, Colin King is a regular contributor to Architectural Digest, T, Ark, and Rum magazines. He collaborates regularly with West Elm, Anthropologie, Zara Home, Crate & Barrel, and Roman and Williams Guild and has his own celebrated product lines with Beni Rugs and Menu, with more in the works.

Genres: Interior Design, Design, Art, Coffee Table Books, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published March 14, 2023

About the author

Colin King is an artist and illustrator working in the UK, and often associated with Usborne.
He graduated with a Master of Art degree at the Royal College of Art, London, and has taught at the Cambridge School of Art and Wimbledon School of Art.
He began drawing children's picture books in 1976.
There is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

All the pictures looked the same: moody lighting, everything the color of oatmeal, with some rocks/branches/clay pots thrown in for a “natural element.” So it quickly got boring to look at. Ah, you ask, but was there instructive and helpful advice on how to arrange things yourself? Nope. The advice seemed to be, move stuff around until it looks right. Glad I got this at the library instead of paying $50 (!) for it.

[Mindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an inch thick book filled with a similar minimal sparse style. The author may have wanted to convey that simple items can be arranged to look beautiful. However, everything looked the same. I took this out from the library so no great loss. I suppose someone somewhere may find it inspiring, but I did not.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author/designer definitely has a knack for arrangements. A lot of his photos look like still-life paintings. However, there is so much sameness here - both in the objects chosen, and particularly the bland color palette. This was interesting to look through once, but I can't imagine buying it, especially with the $50.00 price tag.

[Mary Lynn]

Beautiful photography. For people who are interested in the act of professional styling in a minimalist way only. Pretty one note but if you love the aesthetic of a Crate and Barrel or a RH catalog, this is for you. Teeny tiny font.

[Cori Ready · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a sad bland book. I was somehow excited to pick this up because I see his name in every magazine. Unfortunately he says books are a table, and greige greige greige for life. Leave this style in 2024 and never come back to it. PLEASE.

[Rachel]

Very beige. I did enjoy the chapter on shadows, because many of those pictures had a style of light I find really beautiful. But the similarity in colour of most of the book didn’t appeal to me. (Even when I enjoy minimalist interiors, I tend to prefer brighter or darker, not beige.)

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good reminder of how design is not about perfection, but many contradicting elements. Natural light and shadows, patina (though I’m not a fan of that specific look), empty spaces, etc.

Generally a good book and great examples.

[Michaela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pictures with limited narrative, like a children's book.

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Who ever thought tiny type was appropriate for this book should be scolded. This book is more of a sterile art piece than a giver of knowledge.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Colorless, lifeless, sparse, and drab. I expected more from this book. It was, unfortunately, a huge disappointment.

[Janine Kühn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A coffee table book with beautiful pictures but basic texts.

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disappointment. Nearly every vignette was the same sparse style: vases, books and an object or two in sepia wash colors. Pages and pages of the same look doesn’t make for a very interesting or inspiring read.