Updating Your Home on a Shoestring

Contributed by Teresa Roy, Cover Ups

My home was built in 1949 by my grandfather Richard for his wife LaVerne and their four children. Constructed from spruce logs felled from trees on the property, it has been added on and updated over the years and become the gathering place of many holidays and family celebrations. My family of five moved into the family home in 1994. After a new roof, updated electrical and plumbing (that included the addition of hot water for the first time ever), we settled in.

But if you’ve ever lived in a home perpetually under construction or building out of pocket, you know there are some things you just learn to live with. Addressing the uneven plywood floors that were left bare after pulling up deteriorating carpet, the assembly-required oak veneer cabinets, and unifying a furniture collection of antiques, thrift store finds, and family pieces would have to wait.

I did not want to make my old home look brand new; I loved the irregularities. But I did want it to look finished and put together, and it had to accommodate my budget of nearly zero.

I became a dealer for Annie Sloan paint around 2012. I had a Palmer business centered around repurposed furniture and reimagined pieces. Adding a line of furniture paint filled a need I had in my store. After researching many products, I settled on Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. I will not sell a product I don’t believe in, so I put Annie Sloan Chalk Paint to the test.

The claims were almost too good to be true: a paint that claimed to adhere on any surface without primer or sanding, no odor, and quick dry—less than an hour! And the premixed colors were designed with easy-to-live-with hues that all coordinated with each other.

After experimenting on some small furniture pieces, I was ready to tackle a major project: the floors. After resurfacing with underlayment for a smooth surface, I chose a color that would complement the warm tones of the logs and got started. I liked the idea of a checkerboard pattern for the kitchen, with a solid color for the adjoining living room, which I then decided to overlay with a stencil—again with Annie Sloan.

I decided right then I loved this hard-wearing paint for its ease of use and possibilities to transform living spaces. After topcoating the floors, they have held up—with kids and pets—12 years later. My wish of a unique, comfortable, low-maintenance interior on a budget was finally taking shape. And I was having fun doing it.

I tackled the cabinets next. I painted them cream to complement the checkerboard floor, and then last summer painted the lower cabinets Aubusson Blue for something different. The worst floor, in the entryway, came to life when I cut ¼" plywood into strips, then used a nailer to attach and again Annie Sloan Paint to achieve the finish. A hutch, dining table, chairs, and a bench completed the transformation.

My home is 76 years old this year. Maintenance will always take the bulk of my budget, but keeping the interior fresh is as simple as opening a can of paint and setting aside a weekend. If you’re not familiar with this product and would like to know more, I’m always happy to discuss projects. Come see us at 137 E Arctic in Palmer or call 907-746-4739. We are in the building with the temporary library.

Teresa Roy is the longtime Palmer business owner of Cover Ups, specializing in window coverings and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.