I have a confession to make. When I announced last spring that I was coming out with a milk paint line, I thought it would be a fun little side thing. I was wrong. It’s become a huge, overwhelming, awesome thing. The line that carries my brand and color designs is now carried in over 200 locations in the US, Canada and Europe (and hopefully Australia soon!) So, after a year of me pretending like it’s this little thing, I have finally realized that it’s a big thing and I need to treat it like that. Welcome to the party, Marian, right?
Taking my line and brand more seriously meant not doing everything myself in a “this is just a small thing” fashion. This included getting photos of the products captured from a different perspective. I didn’t want anything that looked the slightest bit corporate. I wanted the customers (or potential customers) to get a sense of what the product is and the heart behind it. It’s powdered and has to be mixed with water. It’s 100% natural. It’s a paint that gives pieces a nostalgic, old feel, even when it’s not chipping. It’s a paint that’s been around for hundreds of years. The colors are vintage-inspired.
As I thought through the things I wanted to convey through pictures, I knew immediately the photographer I wanted to ask –
One of the most talented stylists and budding photographers I know…
Maria of the blog Dreamy Whites.
So, I put my feelers out to see if she would even be interested in the job. Everything came together…she was excited about it, I was excited about it and we got to work putting together a shot list, sending her the products and props for the shots. She captured exactly what I wanted to convey.
In the shot list, we included pictures of the paint as it looks on the shelf, so customers know to look for a bag, not a can.
Shots showing that the paint comes in powdered form…
Pictures of the paint being mixed with water…
…of the pieces being painted with the milk paint…
…and, as a bonus, she included pictures of pieces painted in my colors…
The door is Grain Sack, the pitcher is French Enamel and the chair is Lucketts Green.
Maria used six colors in this picture…can you find them all? (I think she became a milk paint fan in the process!)
The door is Ironstone and the bench is Boxwood…
So beautiful, right? I’m so glad I stepped out of the DIY-everything zone and asked Maria to help me show off my products through her pictures. She blew me away.
And she’s inspired me to take more time on photographs of the products that I do myself (because I still will, of course!)…
If you’d like to know more about Maria (and drool over more of her photography), you can follow her blog, Dreamy Whites. She also has an amazing online shop where you can buy many props she uses in her home and photo shoots, like the grain sack apron her daughters were wearing.
If you’d like to find an MMS Milk Paint retailer near you, here is a full list of our retailers. If you want to shop online, check out our Online Retailers page. If you just want more information, visit our website.
57 Responses
I am in love with the new photos. They are simply gorgeous.
OOOOOOOOOOH
I look forward to MMS Milk Paint being available here in Australia!
These pictures are beautiful!
I love it. These are great photo shots to use in a brochure of some kind….They are perfect!!! I so love your site and your products.
Those are beautiful shots, so soft and dreamy looking. They make me want all of those beautiful colors.
Beautiful. My son Patrick takes all my pictures and posts for me. It makes all the difference. Love love the paints. Painting today with linen. Tomorrow mustard seed and Artissimo. Love the colors. You inspire me!!
I am just…drooling. Gorgeous. So happy for you, and where God has taken this thing! AND the fact that you are able to include and bless others in the process. 🙂 So inspiring!!
Marian,
All I can say is drop dead gorgeous pictures. I have been watching them happen on facebook but the finished altogether presentation is awe inspiring!
Wow!
love the pictures. She did a great job.
Just an FYI: when I click the link for the retailers, I’m sent to your milk paint page then when i click on the little box to the left marked “retailers” it links me right back to the main page of your blog. Am I missing something??
Great partnership – I love Maria’s work. And yours, of course.
You picked the right woman! The pictures are spot on–perfection! And I got chills when I read that you introduced this milk paint line LAST Spring! CRAZY! That is almost an “overnight success”–seriously. And about that time is when I recall telling you about my Aunt referring to the 80’s as the “Mauving of America”. Do you remember me saying that we could refer to your presence in the decor world as the “Mustardizing of America”? (Because you “mustardize” items/furniture.) You responded to me on that one 🙂 I say it has come to that folks! The “MUSTARDIZING OF AMERICA” is here, and because it is based in tradition and roots–that of milk paint that is centuries old, furniture that is made beautiful again, a time worn look–the presence of this movement has serious staying power! And a PS…I am receiving my first order of milk paint (and other necessities) from the Ironstone Nest in just days 🙂
Marian – what a great post – I so inspired by you, everyday, and now I am over the moon to say that I have just been approved as a Miss Mustard Seed retailer and am SO excited (and nervous) to represent your paint line in my next of the woods!Can’t wait to get started – your “little” side line is an amazing thing, I am feeling very honoured to be part of it! shop opens in a month or so!
Oh, Wendy, welcome aboard! Thank you so much for joining me in this journey. 🙂 I hope it’s a wild success for you in your shop.
Oh Myyyyy Gosh Marian. Man did she nail it. I want to marry milk paint now! I love the photos where she shows the paint just mixed with water and changing colors. These photos make milk paint look so enticing. It’s paint porn!
Cindy
LOL! I know. I fell in love with my milk paint a little more looking at these pictures. 🙂
WOW!!! The pictures are such eye candy!! The styling and colors are perfect together!!
Congratulations you are an inspiration.
Maria is such a perfect match to capture the emotion behind your line. I have been following you both and relish the magic you create.
These are gorgeous! I am so happy and excited for you! Congratulations!
Did Maria barter for a lifetime supply of Ironstone and Linen (my two fav colors!) ?? the photos are just beautiful
Maria did a beautiful job of showcasing your beautiful milk paint. I can’t wait to add some Flow Blue to my great uncle’s antique dresser this weekend!
I love Maria and I think she is incredibly talented. You two make a good team. THe pictures are beautiful and they really highlight your amazing colors.
the images are gorgeous, and it truly does show off the product beautifully…I’ve never heard of Maria, excited to check out her site!!
You are BIG time girlfriend.Yes MMS has made it.You are blessed.You have a wonderful natural God given talent.Your look is a style. Make some furniture lines!!!!!Home decor .
What wonderful photography!! Maria has a great eye and I love the subtleties like the shirts matching your paint colors or coordinating with your paints. I also love the paint being showcased on different items. This is such a fantastic thing for you and everyone involved, as always you are an inspiration!
besides her AMAZING talent and eye for beauty in the everyday, maria is a precious friend to me too. you couldn’t have chosen a more perfect photographer!!
i LOVE the final product!!!!
Love the new photos! They definitely convey what your product is all about.
Wow, what talent ~ not only does she perfectly capture your paints, but makes me want to study every shot!
*Fingers crossed I can comment again, I had a Akismet look into it for me. 🙂
perfect….spot on….
Stunning photos!! She captured the look perfectly. I’m due to have baby #4 any day now and am half tempted to go buy some milk paint. I can hardly waddle anywhere right now but boy do I want to! Im itching to paint.
WONDERFUL way to display and explain…love her style and photo composition! Wise choice!
marian, this is a winning combination! such an inspiring photoshoot! lovely through and through! it makes me want to paint EVERYTHING in your milkpaint and try every color. i know that you put a tremendous amount of time and heart into your business and blog, that is obvious. all the best to you, karen
Mmmmm . . . so yummy! I love your partnership and your talents! You Go, Girls! Thank you for the inspiration.
Those pictures are just gorgeous! They make one want to run to the nearest retailer and buy a bunch of milk paint. 🙂
You should try to get your product line into McGuckin’s Hardware in Boulder, CO…a very old independent hardware store with a reputation for having anything anybody ever thought they wanted!
What is the name of the blue and white dis pattern in the last photo??? Love it!
Everything looks completely gorgeous!! Maria is a wonderful choice to work with & your new camera does an awesome job too. I look forward to every post & the inspiration you share~~~~thank you!!
XO, Linda
Chino Valley, AZ.
STUNNING! I mean seriously gorgeous photos!
I am so itching for your milk paint to be available in Australia….I did buy some on line which was great…any chance of someone in Melbourne Victoria stocking it?????? Pleeeease!!
WOW .. is all I can say. BEAUTIFUL WORK!!!
Beautiful pics and very cool product. Both women did themselves proud. Brava, ladies!
Gorgeous photos!! HUGE congrats that your paint line is taking off and doing so well. A “Side” thing? I c ould have told you myself last Spring this was a whol ‘nother empire you were creating here!
Marian, I LOVE those pictures but I have a very small gripe, I’m not sure where to address it so I”m sure it will actually get lost in the shuffle of these comments, but none of my MMS Milk Paint bags close. It’s got that ziplock type closure, but try as I have, I’ve not been able to get them to reseal. Is this a manufacturing defect in the bags? Have you been made aware of this before? It’s not going to deter me from purchasing your wonderful paints, but I thought I would at least let you know.
Thanks for all that you do, you inspire me to make my home what I’ve always dreamed and I absolutely L.O.V.E. the Milk paint line!!!!
Thanks for the feedback. The issue is that some of the milk paint powder will clog up the ziplock closure on the bag, especially if it’s poured out. Just wipe the inside closure of the bag with a damp paper towel to clean it and it should close like new. Sorry you’re having that trouble! Every packaging option has it’s pluses and minuses…
Thanks for the reply!! I always scoop it out with my measuring spoon but I’ll give that a try and see if it helps!! Thanks again!!!!
Love these photos!!! I’ve had your milk paint for sometime now but have been a little scared to start painting with it. After seeing this I’m just going to do it, thanks for the inspiration!!
I love the photos and I love your milk paint!!!!!!! I finished my little yellow table that I painted with the French Enamel and Ironstone and I have fallen in love with your milk paint! When is the new coral, reddish color going to be available to purchase ? I’ve got to have that color to paint something in my home!!!!!
So lovely and delicate! May I ask if that Swedish style clock is for sale? If not, where can I find one?
Thanks for sharing. I’m signing up to read this blog.
So so beautiful and inspiring! Those photos fully capture the sweet and simple beauty of your Milk Paint! Just perfect!
Oh my!!! What a pair you two make! Maria and you are my all time favorites! I can’t believe you two got to work together….! Love, love, love the pics; Maria as usual shooting fabulous images! Congrats Marian and may God continue blessing you and your business!
Gorgeous – your products and her photos! x
Congratulations on your huge milk paint success, you deserve it! You say it can be bought in Europe, does that include the UK as I would like to try some? xx Mary
The photo shoot is gorgeous and so inspiring. Just bought a bed frame at a thrift shop that is just screaming to be painted. I plan on using ironstone.
So happy for you with the success of your paint line. I love it!!!!
Oh wow Marian, you couldn’t of picked a better photographer. She really captured the product beautifully!
So very, very lovely,, thanks so much for all the beautiful inspiration..
OK, so this paint totally intimidated me for a few reasons: 1) it’s a powder, which seems messy and complicated, and 2) I’m not sure if I love chippiness or not! Looking at these photos makes me want to try it. I was at Lucketts and noticed your display was gone…and they have another chalk paint there, in addition to the CeCe Caldwell and Annie Sloan which the other shops are stocking…so what gives? Do you still love Lucketts? 😉
Oh my goodness, of course I still LOVE Lucketts. It is one of my favorite places in the world. I just couldn’t keep up with the demand of selling in such a fast place retail location, so I had to resign. You can read about it here… https://missmustardseed.com/2012/12/getting-off-the-merry-go-round/. We still have retailers in that area, though, and you can find a full listing here… http://www.missmustardseedsmilkpaint.com/retailers/
Hello…
I love your product but find it hard to get in my area the one person that has it only has limited amounts. I was wondering how to be come a distributor for your product?
Hope your day was beautiful
Darlene
I am drooling over these. I’m so glad to hear of your success with your product line. Having just launched a craft myself, I’m really conscious of how my images portray what my product is and how to use it. These shots are truly inspiring. Thank you! And best of luck with it all!