Profile: Kimberly Muller

I first met Kimberly through her husband, Michael Muller, just over ten years ago. I came to their house way too early to pick Michael up for a shoot, and Kim was pregnant, making eggs in the kitchen with a big smile on her face. Years later, Michael and Kimberly set Richard and I up on our first date. Needless to say, they hold a very special place in our hearts.

Born in Washington, D.C., Kimberly moved to Los Angeles and worked in the entertainment industry representing directors and later producing. She then met Michael, a very talented photographer (download his App if you haven’t already), and they started a gorgeous family together. She is an amazing mother to three beautiful girls, and in her spare time writes children’s books and has a blog. As you probably know by now, besides being a great mother and talented writer, Kim is also the queen of crafts. She creates the most magical gift wrapping and centerpieces that never cease to blow me away.

Her home is no different – she has a great house in the Hills that perfectly captures her warm and eclectic sense of style. My favorite parts of the home are all of the spaces that she has created for her kids. From the kitchen to the playroom to her girls’ rooms, she has helped to create fun environments by letting go and allowing each of her girls to go wild and express their unique sense of style. I envy this about her and hope to one day be able to let go in the same way! XXJKE

Beauty

R+T: What are your go-to beauty products? Why?

I am the girl who sometimes goes to bed without washing her face. I’m not loyal to very many products…these, however, are the exception:

Anita Louise Vintage Hydrating Hair Oil Infusion – I have tried almost every hair product, and this is my favorite. They hand mix it in small batches, blending the organic oils of argan, sweet almond & vitamin E, and the purest of sustainably harvested essential oils.

DNA Elasticity Booster Drops – These come in a tiny vial and I use all over my face and body…I go through a lot of it.

My perfume – A mix of Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan and Fille En Aiguilles.

R+T: Bath or Shower?

Bath. (adding Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar to pull out the toxins)

R+T: What do you sleep in?

Depends on my mood… These days, I have been alternating between Steven Alan white boy short pajamas, a mint green linen dressing gown I bought in Puglia a few months ago (that is finally at its ultimate softness), my husband’s t-shirts when he travels, and my birthday suit.

Health

R+T: Do you have any health tricks?

I’m not sure you would call it a health trick, but if I am not having fun, I slow down. Life is not easy…being a mom, even harder! It’s the stress of it all that steers us away from living a healthy, balanced life. When we slow down and “stop to smell the roses,” so to speak, we regain a healthy state of mind. Mind, body, soul…it’s all connected.

R+T: What do you do to stay healthy and balanced?

Eat well.

Play hard.

Love large.

Live every moment to its fullest.

Laugh a lot.

R+T: Do you workout, what do you swear by?

I have a love/hate relationship with Tracy Anderson …I hate working out, but love what it has done for my body. I have not worked out for almost 2 months and I can see the difference – running, not walking, back in there after spring break.

R+T: What do you do to relax?

Walk on the beach, meditate, or cocktails with my girlfriends.

Decor

R+T: What is your design philosophy for your home?

I don’t have one. I just like what I like and it all seems to work together.

R+T: What are your favorite pieces in your house?

Pace chairs that were in my parents’ home when I grew up, and a Chesterfield sofa that is the same color as my hair.

R+T: What are your favorite home stores?

1stdibs  JF Chen, Ikea, West Elm, and random vintage stores.

R+T: What is your favorite room in the house?

The terrace…it transports me to the mountains of Brazil in an instant. It may be the San Fernando Valley and Canyons I am looking at, but it is a Calgon moment nonetheless.

Entertaining

R+T: Do you entertain at home?

Yes…often.

R+T: What are your tricks for entertaining?

Make it effortless and have fun.

I grew up under the tutelage of my mother, who is a hostess with the mostess. She makes it look easy, and loves it…I think it’s in the genes.

You can’t go wrong with delicious food & drinks, amazing music, good lighting, great people… It’s the combo that creates great energy, and that’s what entertaining is all about.

R+T: What is your favorite song/playlist when you have people over?

It’s always changing. Last night’s play list included: The Velvet Underground, Adele, Lianne La Havas, Beirut, The Black Keys, Radiohead, Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, and a little Bob Marley.

R+T: Plated, Buffet, or Family Style for a dinner party?

I have done them all, but I tend to go for buffet or family style the majority of the time.

R+T: What are your favorite flowers and where do you buy them?

I like to use what’s in my garden – whatever is in season. I am always cutting branches, beans sprouts, or the flowering arugula from our vegetable garden.

Flowers that I love that I don’t have growing include: Peonies, Anemones and Poppies.

One of my favorite places in LA is the flower mart…it is a temple for me.

R+T: Do you do them yourself or do you use a florist?

I always do the flowers myself.

Fashion

R+T: How would you describe your style?

Miscellaneous.

R+T: What are the 5 pieces you can’t live without this season?

My Celine Burnt Red Sweater, Zara Black Motorcycle Jacket, Black Lanvin Cocktail Dress, Vintage Zandra Rhodes Dress & Isabel Marant Camel T-shirt.

R+T: What is your newest purchase?

J Crew Liberty Print Shorts.

Food

R+T: Do you cook?

Yes.

R+T: What is your favorite recipe?

I have so many…currently obsessed with Jerusalem, the most recent cookbook from Yotam Ottolenghi. I have made the Swiss Chard with Tahini, Yogurt & Buttered Pine Nuts at least six times in the last three weeks, so I would say it’s one of my favorite recipes this month.

R+T: What is your child’s favorite recipe?

Taco Night is a once-a-weeker in our house, and depending on what my kids are or are not eating that week, we may do veggies, shrimp, chicken or fish. (My kids are self proclaimed vegetarians, vegans and fishetarians at various times.) My favorite recipe is Shrimp Tacos from my friend Catherine McCord’s wonderful cookbook, Weelicious.

Art

R+T: What is your favorite piece of art you own?

I have so many, difficult to pick just one…how about top five?

-The first piece I gave to my husband as a gift…a Raymond Pettibon of a train called Making Tracks. The words on paper describe, “He followed a girl with red hair… There was no stopping now.” Summed up our relationship.

-A Shepard Fairey of our 3 girls.

-A painting my grandfather made.

-A Vaughn – Muller collaboration of a shark with painted butterflies

– A Gary Baseman that he made for us on a barf bag as he sat next to my husband on a plane.

Marriage

R+T: How do you balance work, motherhood, and marriage?

I am still learning.

R+T: What is your secret to your relationship?

Remaining fluid, unconditional love, and pretending my husband is my boyfriend.

R+T: Is there something you do with your husband on a regular basis?

SEX.

R+T: What is the 1st thing you bought with your husband?

Our house.

Current Projects

R+T: What’s your creative outlet and what project are you working on now?

My life is my creative outlet…we are always creating in our house… and I write.

I am currently working on my next children’s book as well as a grown-up book that I have been working on for years. (and will probably be working on for many more years to come…)

R+T: What is your favorite part about your job

I create my own schedule.

Kids


R+T: Are there any kids finds you want to share with Rip+Tan?

My husband and I made a fairy tent for our now 8-year-old when she turned 3…it is still hanging in her room. We started with a mosquito net and built it from there, hanging vintage lace and fabric, garlands, jewels, fairies and more.

R+T: What are your favorite places to shop for kids?

Zara, Little Fashion Gallery, Kisan, Playclothes for great vintage finds, Sweet William …

R+T: What’s your favorite thing to do/place to go on the weekends with your kids?

We love the beach, Griffith Park, the museums, and road trips.

R+T: What is your favorite restaurant to eat at with the whole family?

We have a few…. Kiwami, Laurel Tavern, Tra di Noi, and Au Fudge when it opens.