Ladder Love

As with many of my projects, this one started with a pin on Pinterest.

I needed wanted a ladder.

Well, Sunday I visited with my friend Renee and she introduced me to a blog she loves, Jenna Sue Designs and I was hooked. I read her blog back all the way from the beginning in one sitting. She’s got a lot of great projects. One of those projects is this ladder:

source

Super cute right? So that reminded me that long ago I’d pinned a ladder as well and it was time to make one.

About 4:00 on Sunday as I’m about to head to my parents’ for dinner, I had the grand idea all the sudden, and called my Dad and told him I’ll be coming earlier than I’m supposed to, because I have a project for me us. And to get ready because we’re going to Lowe’s when I get there. He has a huge shop. I need one. Hint hint Dad!

That’s kind of how I get projects done. Some people have impulse buys (well I do that too), but I am an impulse builder/crafter/painter.

I think it, I do it. Right then and there.

So, I mostly followed Jenna’s tutorial but tweaked it a little to my liking.

At Lowe’s I picked up the following:

- Two 1x3s (Pine)

- Three 1 1/4” Dowel Rods (to make 5 rungs)

-Minwax Stain in Ebony

-1 1/4” drill bit (same size as rods)

Total Cost = $35

I had stain on hand but I wanted Ebony, and the drill bit was needed. So it cost around $20 if I’d used stain I had on hand and had the drill bit already. 

I am not gonna re-invent the wheel, so see Jenna’s tutorial for how she did it. I followed it except I made my ladder the same width all the way down.

Specifics:

Height – 82”

Dowel Rod Width – 18.5” 

I had my Mom on duty as project photographer so here’s a lot more pictures than are ever needed for a ladder tutorial

Measure twice.

Cut once.

I decided on 14.5” apart for the rungs. And I wanted the top rung only a few inches from the top, and the bottom much higher up.

My Dad  

Practicing the depth and evenness of my holes. I finally got the hang of it on about the last real ladder hole.

Dad, did you say these were Grampy’s old screws? He said something about them being very neat and old and we thought they’d go perfect with the “aged” ladder. Not that you’re “aged” Grampy!  

Then my Dad went to start dinner while me and Mom finished up.

Sidenote:

This is what we feasted on! London Broil, Shrimp, and roasted veggies and potatoes! Yum.

Finishing touches.

Construction done!

Then, at about 11:00 Sunday night, I started staining. I don’t know why this sounded like a good idea. I was kicking myself come Monday morning. However, I was finished by 12 so it didn’t take too long at all.

Ready for some paint!

I dry brushed white on, and then once it dried, hit it in several places with 100 grit sandpaper.

Then came the hard, but fun part – styling it! I originally thought I’d decorate it like Jenna did, with magazines and such. Then yesterday when we were heading to Lowe’s I had a lightbulb moment and decided it’d make a PERFECT scarf rack!

But I still had to see what it’d look like in this state. Loved it. In fact, I need two ladders now so one can reside in the living room. For now though, I’ve got the one and I’m loving it as a scarf rack!

Springy entry!

My scarf situation in the closet was not looking pretty. Nor could I get to one easily that was on the bottom, AND they were getting wrinkly.

The solution! Pictures are so much prettier outside.

 

I have several more but these are my favorites and get worn the most, so they get to be on display and easy to access.

I cannot wait to see it in a pretty room in my next house!