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To honor America’s earliest innovator in paint, our new Averill Collection of dinnerware bears the name synonymous with vibrant colors that are both durable and beautiful.

What is the Legacy of the Averill Chemical Paint Company?

The Averill Chemical Paint Company was one of America’s first innovators in the paint industry. Company founder and chemist D.R. Averill revolutionized the industry by offering the first premixed paints. In the past, homeowners and craftsmen mixed paint from individual pigments in a laborious and time-consuming process.

Averill’s experimentation produced the first-ever premixed paint which was touted for its brilliancy, superior quality, and durability. Averill received a patent for his new premixed paint in 1867 and it soon became the industry standard. The design mark for Averill -- an eagle, a ribbon, and the words "Economical, Brilliant" -- is noted as America’s first registered trademark, filed by Averill on August 30, 1870 under the Trademark Act of 1870.

How did premixed paint influence design?

The invention of premixed paint coincided with an increased desire among the public for elevated, fashionable homes. According to Averill’s 1886 catalog:

“Twenty years ago, it was difficult to find a country house attractively painted, the prevailing style being white with green blinds; now many of our country houses are models of art and harmony as exhibited in the selection and arrangement of colors.” 

Thanks to premixed paint, it was significantly easier to design a house with multiple colors. To help the public visualize new looks for their homes, Averill’s promotional catalogs included illustrations of suggested color combinations for various architectural styles. Sample color cards were also distributed to introduce the company’s various color options to the country. 

Why are we honoring Averill with our new dinnerware?

As part of our ongoing effort to celebrate the legacies of influential manufacturers, we named a collection of our dinnerware after this storied company. Barn Light Electric’s dedication to creating high-quality porcelain dinnerware in an array of vivid colors aligns with Averill’s own principles. By offering multiple colors and patterns, we encourage our customers to get creative when customizing their dinnerware. We think Averill would be proud!

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