Mylands, synonymous with the highest quality paints and polishes, celebrates its 140th anniversary in 2024. With more than a century of craftsmanship and innovation – decorating some of the finest interiors from film sets and palaces, to private homes and national galleries – Mylands is Britain’s oldest family-owned and run paint and polishes manufacturer. Founded in London in 1884, it proudly holds a Royal Warrant and continues to make its quality products at its Lambeth factory.
140th Anniversary Celebrations
In celebration of 140 years of craftsmanship and innovation, Mylands announces an exciting programme of launches and initiatives for 2024, demonstrating the paintmaker’s passion for quality and commitment to innovating for a sustainable future in the paint industry:
Dominic Myland CEO says: “Our 140th anniversary is a proud milestone for the Mylands name, and testament to the enduring quality and craftsmanship of our paints and polishes. Knowing this company has been passed down through multiple generations through my family and being at the helm of the company, it is a huge privilege to be leading the company into its next chapter as we focus on innovating and developing collections that encapsualte the Mylands aesthetic – the finest quality paints and finishes with an awareness for the environment we inhabit.”
– Mylands 140th Anniversary Film: To start the celebrations Mylands has commissioned a short film encapsulating the famed history of Britain’s oldest family-owned paint brand, and its ongoing commitment in leading industry innovations.
– Jinny Blom Collection: Mylands has created an exclusive collection of colours created in collaboration with leading British landscape gardener Jinny Blom. Inspired by the landscape, the collection was designed by Blom to enrich outdoor spaces with subtle touches of colour.
– New Mylands Showroom and Anniversary Factory Tours: Located next to the South London factory, where Mylands products have been manufactured since 1884, Mylands has opened a showroom showcasing its range of paints, wood finishes, painting tools and accessories, and offering expert advice to its trade and private customers. As part of the anniversary celebrations, from July 2024 Mylands will offer the unique opportunity to see inside with a monthly guided tour of the oldest British family-owned paint factory, with tickets available to purchase on Eventbrite.
– Colour Consultancy Service: Mylands is pleased to introduce a new colour consultancy service for its customers, bringing the knowledge and expertise of Mylands’ in-house team of colour scientists directly to its customers.
– Mylands celebrates the Countess of Sandwich at Mapperton: Mylands is proud to be featured in the exhibition on the captivating world of Alberta Sturges Montagu, the 9th Countess of Sandwich, and an American Heiress from the renowned era known as The Gilded Age. Mapperton House has announced the unveiling of a treasure trove of her personal correspondence in an exclusive exhibition running from May 5th to August 29th, 2024. During its 140th anniversary, Mylands is pleased to be featured in several exhibition rooms throughout the house.
– Upcycled Paint: As part of its commitment to improving sustainability in the paint industry, Mylands has launched a new collection of unique paints made from leftover or sample paints, remixed into a limited number of Mylands’ favourite colours to ensure there is no unnecessary waste.
Mylands – A Family Affair
Mylands was founded in 1884 by ‘Honest’ John Myland, who set up his store in Lambeth, London selling paints and polishes. His steadfast dedication to delivering the highest quality paints and polishes cultivated a reputation for excellence that Mylands proudly maintains, using the finest raw materials, including crushed Carrara marble.
The business has been passed down from generation to generation. Currently at the helm is founder John Myland’s great-grandson, Dominic Myland who took over in 2001. To follow, Dominic’s son, Harvey Myland joined the family-business in recent years, marking the fifth generation steering the business. Mylands understands the importance of legacy and prides itself on its history and continued commitment to quality and innovation, while ensuring its future is an environmentally conscious one.
Made in London
Soon after Mylands was founded, it established its own factory in Lambeth, where the paints are still made today. The laboratory and head office are also on this site. From here, the paints are packaged and shipped across the globe, and can be bought in every continent.
Film, Television and Theatre
Mylands has an unrivalled association with the film, television and theatre production, and its paints have been used in iconic productions including every James Bond movie, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and most recently Barbie. Mylands developed a range of specialist paints and iconic metallics for the BBC and the FTT (Film, Television and theatre) sectors, and due to popular demand, these paints are now available to the public.
Cultural Institutions
Mylands has also worked closely with leading cultural institutions for many years, and its paints offset artworks from David Hockey to Rubens in gallery spaces including The National Portrait Gallery and Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Royal Seal of Approval
In 1985, as a testament to its expertise, Mylands was awarded a Royal Warrant which has been upheld for 40 years. Its products have been used in the royal households, most notably Buckingham Palace.
Innovation
Mylands has always championed innovation, and its laboratory is home to industry-leading colour scientists who combine the expertise in chemistry with an artful eye. The laboratory is headed up by colour experts, who oversee the development of exciting new ranges and colours.
Wood Finishes
Mylands, began creating fine wood finishes back in 1884. It has quietly but proudly continued to craft its quality products over 140 years and today CEO Dominic Myland, great grandson of the founder ‘Honest’ John Myland, continues this tradition, having honed his expertise spending three years studying painting and finishing at university. Wood furniture, floors, surfaces and doors can all benefit from a quality wood finish to enhance and protect its natural beauty, and Mylands’ collections include Wood Stains,
Wax Polishes, Shellacs / French Polish, Oils, Lacquers and Varnishes.
Signature Paint Finishes
Mylands has a longstanding reputation for creating the highest quality paints and finishes. Once a ‘best kept trade secret’, under the vision of current CEO Dominic Myland, the collection has expanded in recent years with industry-leading innovations:
– With sustainability in mind, Mylands developed its Plant-Based Multi-Surface paint. This is available in four classic finishes (Dead Matt, Eggshell, Satin and Gloss), and is suitable for a variety of indoor and outdoor surfaces. In 2023, Mylands launched the innovative Olive Stone Emulsion paint, made with crushed olive stones, a by-product of the olive oil industry.
– Dominic also led the development of its signature Marble Matt Emulsion, a high quality and durable finish made with crushed Carrara marble.
– In 2012 Mylands launched its first consumer collection Colours of London, 120 colours paying tribute to the company’s hometown.
– To complement the Colours of London collection, Mylands also has its Greys & Neutrals collection, a carefully curated palette of 24 classic greys, soft pinks and putty shades, the Archive Collection consisting of 12 previous archive colours that have been reformulated to last, inspire, and celebrate colour, and the FTT collection, a palette of 20 colours made for the Film, Television and Theatre industry which is now available for the home.
