Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Muller.
Patrick – kick things off for us. How does this story start?
Established in 1971, my father Alexander Muller spent his first days in the late 1950’s sweeping the floor of Radford & Sons Upholstery shop, in West Hollywood, Ca. Here is where he started his life long relationship with furniture. The art of upholstery would soon become his creative outlet. As an apprentice for the Radford & Sons shop, my father learned the traditional process of furniture making and upholstery. After almost a decade as an apprentice, my father spent two years at Finlays Slip Cover Company, were he mastered the delicate process of the tailored slipcover. Finlay’s was the first company to make a custom slip cover and my father learned this tailor-made process. In 1971, in Hollywood Ca., my father created Müller & Sons Custom Furniture & Upholstery. Legendary interior designers Tony Duquette was among our early high profile clients.
My father raised 11 children. His six sons spent most Saturdays working with him at his shop. I decided to continue the long tradition of the custom furniture and the re-upholstery craft. My father passed this down to all his sons.
I hoped that Müller and Sons is one way of bringing back the good things of the past and restoring the traditional tenets of yesterday that will once again enrich the way we live today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
When I started working with my father is 2006, he did not have a website nor did he ever advertise. He had been getting all his business through word of mouth. It was a struggle to get my father to see how important it was to advertise our work and our service. My father was born in Germany and was a refuge from the Second World War II. He arrived in Hollywood, Ca at the age of 9. English was not his first language so it’s always been tough getting him to understand business and the investments you need to make in business to keep it growing.
Please tell us about Muller and Sons.
The Muller & Sons upholstery workroom uses the finest materials in our furniture making and reupholstering process. All custom frames are constructed of hardwood, using only the highest quality materials. We also provide environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum-based foam, while still maintaining quality and durability.
It is very exciting to be part of a small boutique custom shop that my father started almost 50 years ago. I love keeping his legacy alive.
What sets us apart is the experience and understanding of furniture and how to make it the traditional hand-crafted way.
Our client list is a testament to our quality of work. From Frank Sinatra, Tony Duquette Brad Pitt, and Timothy Corrigan to name a few.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I wish a few more of my brothers could be part of our team! I have 5 brothers and only one brother works with us part time. I wish more could join me on this journey.
Contact Info:
- Address: 16138 Wyandotte St Van Nuys, Ca. 92406
- Website: www.mullerandsons.com
- Phone: 3107750049
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: muller_and_sons
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mullerandsons/
Image Credit:
Scott Clark
Patrick Muller
