Got milk? Southbank does - in paint form.
The local shop will soon be selling milk paint by Miss Mustard Seed. The product is an ancient all-natural paint containing milk protein, limestone, clay, chalk and natural pigments. It is known for being completely breathable, non-toxic, environmentally friendly and containing no VOCs.
Southbank Gift Company owner Jill Bednar has been a long-time believer in reusing old furniture, giving it new life and providing a nice balance between new and old throughout her home. After using Miss Mustard Seed paint on many different pieces throughout her own home and shop, she decided the rest of Capital City needed to be introduced to the product. Right now, Bednar said those interested in purchasing milk paint have to drive to as far away as St. Louis, Kansas City or Springfield. She wanted to change that.
Miss Mustard Seed products are created by Marian Parsons, an entrepreneur, author and lover of old furniture. Her products are not available at big box stores, as the company prefers to be offered only in small brick and mortar businesses.
"It is something new and different," Bednar said of the product coming to Jefferson City.
Bednar fell in love with the paint after reading Miss Mustard Seed's blog. She noted that many of the paint colors have names specific to memories from Marian Parsons' life.
The product comes in a powder form, sold in small bags. Each bag makes enough paint to cover a large piece of furniture. Because the customer mixes their own paint, Bednar and one other Southbank employee had to become certified instructors in order to best inform the customer of how to make the perfect paint for their unique piece. The paint gives a distressed, chipping look in most instances and is self leveling, leaving no brush strokes on the finished product.
Bednar wants to help people "breath new life into their homes."
Milk paint is all over diy websites such as Pinterest these days. The unique product produces very different looks depending on the technique used. That's where Bednar and her staff come in. "We need to know what's the desired look that you want."
The product is suitable for both interior and exterior applications, is naturally mold resistant and will never chip or peel when applied to a raw wood surface. Using a bonding agent, the milk paint can even cover previously painted walls, varnished surfaces, ceramic tiles, metal, glass and more.
The store will hopes to have the paint in stock by the end of this week. To help educate the Capital City, Southbank is readying a schedule to offer different types of workshops out of a downtown space they hope to lease by May. Workshops on the milk paint will be just one type of class they hope to offer.
For those who prefer a more finished look in their furniture, Southbank will also be selling chalk paint in the near future. Annie Sloan's Decorative Chalk Paint is also environmentally friendly and doesn't require as much guidance as the milk paint. The store will carry Annie Sloan's line of fabrics as well.