Back in 1993, our story began when our founder saw a gap in the market for accessible, authentic, high-quality pigments—something he needed for his own professional antique restoration work to create the period-correct colors. What started as a side hustle quickly turned into a full-fledged business. Both pigment sales and his restoration work ran hand-in-hand out of a renovated blue Pennsylvania barn.

Our flagship product, Real Milk Paint®, was formulated and developed in the Siever family kitchen. A media cabinet was painted yellow and blue to test the color. Real Milk Paint® was packaged as a base with the pigments to be mixed together with water. The first sales came from a regional festival in Kutztown, PA.

In the early days of the internet, when dial-up tones were still the soundtrack of going online, we launched our very first website: www.rmpfinishes.com. It was a simple site by today’s standards, but it marked a huge leap for us, making our products accessible to a wider audience for the first time. And yes, if you visited back then, you probably remember our proud little mascot—a spinning cow—welcoming visitors with charm and personality, just like the brand itself.

We took a big step forward by expanding our product line to include Pure Tung Oil and a variety of natural waxes. This move came from listening to our customers who wanted more eco-friendly, easy-to-use options for their projects. It was the beginning of what would become a signature part of the Real Milk Paint Co. family.

The change in 2004 from D.O. Siever Products to The Real Milk Paint Co. was a natural evolution. It captured the heart of what we were all about—authenticity, simplicity, and a return to real, natural ingredients. The new name helped us connect more deeply with our growing community of makers and DIYers.

Between 2004 and 2010, our product line continued to grow as we listened to our customers and responded with new, natural solutions for their finishing needs. From expanded Real Milk Paint color options, specialty wood oils, waxes, and more, each addition was made with the same care and commitment to quality that built our foundation. By 2010, we were ready for the next big step – breaking ground on a brand-new facility in Tennessee that would support our growth and help us serve our community even better.

In 2014, we officially moved into our new Tennessee facility—a major milestone for us! The expanded space gave us room to grow our manufacturing capabilities, allowing for better efficiency and consistency across our product line. Plus, being more centrally located meant faster, more reliable shipping for our customers across the country.

Soon after moving to Tennessee, we refreshed our look with a full rebrand. We moved from a cow with blue and red text to the black and white branding you see today. The goal was to better reflect our values—natural, trustworthy, and customer-focused—while giving the brand a clean, modern feel. The brand was designed to relfect yesteryear hardware store – quality, dependable, and personal customer service. It was more than just a new logo; it was a renewed commitment to quality, transparency, and the community we serve.

To meet rising demand—especially during the surge of interest in home projects brought on by the 2020 pandemic—we expanded our manufacturing space with a 10,000 sq ft addition. The extra room gave us the capacity to keep up with orders, maintain our high standards, and avoid major delays during a time when many businesses were struggling to stay ahead. It positioned us to continue growing while staying reliable for our customers when they needed us most.