Supporting British Industry & Craftsmanship
Mylands is Britain’s oldest family-owned and run paint and polishes manufacturer and the last remaining paint manufacturer based in London. Over four generations, they have crafted quality paints and wood finishes in South London. Originally supplying to trade only, Mylands has remained popular amongst interior design professionals and scenic artists for over 140 years. The company's long standing association with the film, television and theatre industry has seen their paints featured in some of the world’s most successful productions.
Mylands was founded in 1884 by "Honest" John Myland, having previously worked as a French polisher he branched out into paint and wood-finishing products. The company has remained family-owned and run ever since and is now run by Dominic Myland, John's great-grandson. The company has stayed in London throughout its history, moving from its original Stockwell base to Brixton and then to West Norwood where it remains today. Its early growth coincided with the rise of London's film industry, and thanks to its proximity to the capital's earliest studios, Mylands became closely tied to film, television, and theatre production, valued for paints that are notably flat with minimal camera glare. That association has continued for a century, with the company's paints used on productions including the James Bond films, Harry Potter, and Downton Abbey.
"Dominic's passion and enthusiasm for his family business was infectious. In a surprisingly residential part of South London, Mylands' large site houses all aspect of the business, from research and development in the laboratories, the mixing and testing on the main workshop floor, to the canning and stockpiling of their large warehouse on site. It was great to meet the whole team and learn more about the process of making paint." Carmel King photographed Mylands in October 2021 for Made in London.
