Saturday, July 4, 2009

Ladders! And their many uses

What is it about ladders that I adore so much? I think it's their simplistic natural lines. There aren't many flourishes on ladders as a general rule. And how easy is it to transform the wooden variety to any finish you wish? A decorator's dream!

Funky Junk Interiors

This little stepladder I found at a thrift. I don't have an island light yet, so I put this little guy to work immediately.

Pilarina's Workshop

This little cutie was found at a Salvation Army. Melany found quite a unique way to display AND name the pictures. Irresistable!

Our Extreme Home Makeover Experience

I have had this ladder forever and it's done a few different things over the years. I love how it offers the bathroom so much character in an otherwise brand new environment in this case. I've also had it leaning against a wall beside the sofa to hold magazines. And once upon a time I had little pictures mounted inside the openings.



Here's a very functional one and so so pretty! I love how the rudders are deep enough to actually hold folded towels and knicknacks. What a great find!


Showing off a themed collection is the PERFECT place for a ladder!


And here's my little number sitting in my garden. I call it the Birdie Hotel. The gal that gave me the ladder had hers in the garden as well, except she had clay pots screwed onto each rudder with real plants. Adorable idea!

Ladders take up virtually no room at all, yet can add such a unique element to your home. Never never pass up an old well used ladder if you find one!

Do you use any ladders in your current decor? Feel free to share your links in the comments if you have a picture or url to share.



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24 comments:

  1. Nicole A.July 5, 2009 at 12:45 AM

    Ohhh these are all Fabulous! Love them all! I need to find me a cute little ladder! Thanks for Sharing! Love love love yours by the way!

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  2. BethJuly 5, 2009 at 4:33 AM

    I love the idea of using a ladder as an accessory. I need to find me one....or two!

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  3. Mandi @ Sweetly HomeJuly 5, 2009 at 4:52 AM

    This really is ladder love. I think ladders are just wonderful. They are right up there along with old windows for decorating. I have one ladder right now that is merely leaning against the wall in the living room. You can see it in this post. http://mandicresswell.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-living-room-and-winner.html?zx=c83e65b8af090011
    The plan though is to mount it behind the couch horizontaly and put photo frames and doo-dads inbetween the rungs. I may hang a quilt off it too. Just am waiting...not so patiently...for the hubby to hang it. :) Thanks for so much more inspiration!

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  4. The RunyansJuly 5, 2009 at 4:53 AM

    i would love for you to write how you mount them to your wall for durability.

    i have two that i'm planning on using once we get moved, but i'm unsure how to mount them. mine are just one sided, if that makes sense.

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  5. WhisperWood CottageJuly 5, 2009 at 6:18 AM

    Love the island light! I also love the white one with all the pails! Wonderful post!

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  6. DawnJuly 5, 2009 at 7:05 AM

    I looove ladders, too! These inspiration pics are gorgeous!!!

    I have a ladder to an old bunk bet set in my shed just waitin' to become something fabulous. I think I know just what I'm gonna do with it now!

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  7. CindyJuly 5, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    This is great! I've taken several ideas from this. The step ladder on the island! The birdhouse area in the garden...love that.

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  8. TammyJuly 5, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    Ever since I first laid eyes on your ladder in the first pic - I've been on the look out. These are some great ideas! As usual - thanks for the inspiration! :)

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  9. Funky Junk InteriorsJuly 5, 2009 at 10:15 AM

    Glad you're likin' those ladders, gals!

    Jessica, I've yet to mount one. I simply lean it against the wall. If I did mount one, I'd imagine an L bracket of some type may be the ticket. Just find a good place where the ladder of your choice touches the wall. I can also see mounting a ladder from the ceiling with metal chain for a slightly funky twist.

    Mandi @ Finding Home has a gorgeous room going on! Check out her link!

    Donna

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  10. MarieJuly 5, 2009 at 4:04 PM

    Hello Donna - thank you for sharing all these fabulous ways to use a ladder for decor purposes! I love how you've used that one in your bathroom...it really does give the room added character!

    Blessings,
    Marie
    http://emmacallsmemama.com

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  11. LoriJuly 5, 2009 at 5:18 PM

    Oh my ~ I LOVE those old sand pails and how they are displayed! And I do also love your birdie hotel!

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  12. junkermidgeJuly 5, 2009 at 9:49 PM

    Oh I love all the different ways you thought to use ladders. I especially like the little white one on the desk.

    Midge

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  13. Funky FindsJuly 6, 2009 at 6:37 AM

    Terrific & inspirational photos! Jessica D.

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  14. Melany @ Project AnthologiesJuly 6, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    Man! What neat ideas. I think I will be on the lookout for MORE ladders now!

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  15. abeachcottageJuly 7, 2009 at 1:16 AM

    g'day

    thanks so much for featuring me, love all your ladders, but then I just simply love ladders

    aren't the sand buckets just gorgeous!!

    Sarah

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  16. GratefulPrayerThankfulHeartJuly 7, 2009 at 4:52 AM

    Just stopping by for the first time and had to say how much I enjoyed my visit!
    Kindly, ldh

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  17. Wendy July 7, 2009 at 1:26 PM

    Lovin the ladders!

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  18. Amy {The Red Chair Blog}July 7, 2009 at 6:50 PM

    What a great collection of ladder images and ideas. Thank you for sharing these. I love alternate uses for ladders and have used a little distressed step stool in the past in place of a nightstand in a guest room. It has since been repurposed...because we found that we needed a step stool! :)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog to say hello!

    Amy

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  19. Pony GirlJuly 7, 2009 at 8:20 PM

    What great ideas! I love them all. I saw a few ladders while out thrift shopping last week, I kept thinking "Hmm, I don't have a ladder, maybe I could use one?" Wasn't sure what I could use it for, but now I have some new ideas!

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  20. Free Art PrintablesJuly 8, 2009 at 7:53 PM

    I love those ladders! What great ideas! Jen

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  21. MissyJuly 8, 2009 at 9:11 PM

    I've got some ladder lust also. One displays quilts. Then there's a 6 foot white wood ladder I saw in an old farmer's shop. He was still using it so I had to talk pretty hard and long to convince him it wasn't safe. ;)

    Anyway, now it has cup hooks up all sides and holds 27 stockings at Christmas. The family is growing again so I will add a few more hooks.

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  22. icandy...July 12, 2009 at 10:43 AM

    Aren't ladders... and their many uses... FUN??!!!! There are so many creative ways to display them!
    Happy Sunday!
    Christina :)

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  23. terraMay 21, 2010 at 9:11 PM

    Can't wait to find an old ladder at the auction tomorrow! Hope I can find a good one! or better yet a not so good one.

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  24. dianaMay 22, 2010 at 6:46 AM

    i use a sectional wooden ladder to display the Christmas stockings during the holidays with the plush stuffed toys of Santa and and Snowman and of course everyone wants to know when its not decorated why is it in the family room?, the theme of the family room is firefighters, hmmm!! I think ladders are great conversation pieces, never thought that it would end up in the house after all these years, butttt!! Enjoy they are FUN

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