Mylands Paints for London Decorators: Marble Matt, Eggshell, and the Professional Range
A professional guide to Mylands paints for London decorators: the full range including Marble Matt, eggshell for woodwork, commercial durability tiers, and why Mylands remains a trade favourite.
Mylands: a London paint brand with genuine credentials
Mylands has been manufacturing paint in London since 1884. That longevity is not merely a marketing point — it reflects a product range that has been consistently refined by decorators working on London's most demanding properties. The brand's customer base is disproportionately professional: architects, interior designers, and contract decorators who have used the range on projects from Soho House conversions to Mayfair penthouse refurbishments.
The range is produced at their factory in Lambeth, which means supply chain reliability and the ability to match custom colours quickly — both practically useful for London contractors.
Marble Matt: the flagship finish
Marble Matt is the product that defines Mylands' reputation. It is a water-based emulsion with an ultra-flat, chalky finish that closely approximates the appearance of traditional limewash or distemper without the fragility or application difficulty of those materials.
The finish has a depth and texture that is difficult to describe in technical terms but immediately apparent on a wall. It diffuses light rather than reflecting it, which removes the flat uniformity of modern vinyl matts and creates the impression of surface quality that decorators associate with well-prepared lime plaster. In formal reception rooms, libraries, and bedrooms, it is one of the best-looking products available at any price point.
Marble Matt has reasonable durability for a dead-flat finish but is not a product for kitchens, bathrooms, or children's bedrooms. It resists light marking but does not wash. For high-traffic areas, Mylands' Marble Matt Plus — the same finish with improved washability — is a more practical specification.
Coverage is approximately 12–14 m² per litre, competitive with other premium flat emulsions.
Eggshell for woodwork
Mylands' Eggshell for joinery is a water-based product with a low-sheen finish well-suited to London period properties. It applies with less drag than oil-based alternatives, has a manageable open time, and dries hard enough to handle within 4–6 hours in normal conditions.
For sash windows, panelled doors, and skirtings in period townhouses, the Mylands eggshell produces a quality finish that sits well against Marble Matt walls. The colour matching between wall and woodwork products is precise, which matters when specifying tone-on-tone schemes.
For exterior joinery, the Mylands Exterior Eggshell has shown good durability in testing and in use across London projects, though it should be applied over a quality exterior primer and in dry conditions above 8°C.
The commercial durability tiers
Mylands segments its range by durability for commercial applications:
Standard range: Marble Matt, standard emulsions, eggshells. Suitable for residential and light commercial use where appearance is the primary consideration.
Contract range: Higher-durability formulations designed for hotels, restaurants, and commercial offices. The Contract Matt and Contract Eggshell have improved scrubbability ratings and greater resistance to repeated cleaning. They are specifying frequently in Mylands' commercial work for London hospitality clients.
Coatings range: Specialist products including high-build primers, anti-corrosion coatings for metalwork, and floor paints. Useful for complete decorating schemes where a single supplier is preferred.
Colour range
Mylands produces over 200 colours. The palette is weighted toward the kind of complex, slightly greyed mid-tones that work well in London period interiors — more saturated on average than Farrow & Ball, less historically organised than Little Greene.
Standout professional favourites in the current range include Straw No. 10, Gamboge No. 12, Chiswick No. 86, Shoreditch White No. 148, and Black No. 201. Bespoke colour matching is available for trade clients, typically with a 3–5 working day turnaround.
Availability and trade accounts
Mylands distributes from their Lambeth base and through selected stockists across London. Trade accounts are available with typical discounts of 15–25% on the standard range. Lead times for large volume orders should be confirmed in advance, particularly for bespoke mixed colours.
The brand's customer service and technical support are notably better than most competitors — a relevant consideration for decorators working on tight programmes where specification questions arise mid-project.
Plan your next London project with us
We specify and apply Mylands products regularly on projects across Belgravia, Chelsea, and the wider SW1 area. Request a free quote or get in touch to discuss your project.