Brought to you today by the Ladder....

I love projects with ladders. They are very easy to work with, you can get them free or very cheaply, and the possibilities are endless! Stepladders can make instant shelves and side tables -- and you probably already have some hiding in your garage. But my personal favorite is the rung ladder. You know they are sturdy because they're designed to hold big heavy guys. But sometimes, a rung will break. Those silly men tend to throw them out at this point. And that's when the junker's fun begins.

This is probably my favorite of my ladder projects --
I call it a gossip bench, but I've also heard them referred to as courting benches or make-up benches (for feuding couples). I used 5 ladder sections, with three of them the same heights and facing the same directions. Then I just placed a couple wood planks across the rungs. The other 2 sections are for the 2 back pieces. By placing these on opposite sides it forms two seats that face opposite directions. Just screw it all together and finish however you wish.


Here's another nifty ladder project --

I saw something in Pottery Barn that had the same feel so I put one together with finished shelves I had on hand and 2 long ladder sections. The underside of each shelf has a hole drilled near each corner. Then I put a corresponding short dowel in the rung. I just slide the shelf onto the pegs to hold them in place, but it can easily be dismantled for moving.

Here's what it looks like when it's all dooded up!

This next project is hamming it up for the camera --

It literally is! Because this ladder arbor was used at our church's Spring Tea as the setting for posed photos. Normally it is a bit more dressed down for relaxing outside.

So you can see there are many fun possibilities for rung ladders. I'd like to try a desk or sofa type table next. And even after the projects are down, any leftovers can be put to good use.

Small sections can be mounted flat on a wall horizontally. They make great "frames" for photos, or simple set some shallow objects, or even hang stockings at Christmas time.

Now go have some junk fun with ladders,

Midge

I am linking this up to Donna's Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors