Good Questions: Where Can I Find An Old Wooden Ladder?

ATLA reader Carmen writes,

"I saw this picture online and I'd like to try it using a wooden ladder instead of the stainless rungs. I thought that would be easier to recreate in my rental. But I think I've set myself up for failure -- all the ladders I've found online are either too new or too short! I'd like to find a 9 foot tall non-ugly wooden ladder, that leans against the wall - like something you'd find in an old farmhouse. Do you have any thoughts where someone might find something like that?"

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We did find one source for wooden ladders, Rustic Garden, which actually cuts down old farm ladders. They would be great, as Carmen suggested, as towel racks in the bathroom but they can also be repurposed in a myriad of other ways: as a overhead pot rack in the kitchen for example. In the bedroom, they can double as headboards or, suspended over your bed, as a unique framework for a canopy. Drape current magazines or books over their rungs or, when the weather turns chilly, use them to hold blankets and quilts. Just don't use them to climb on unless you have them reinforced by your local carpenter. You might fall! Does anyone else have any suggestions for Carmen?

[image via Living, Etc.]

Comments (13)

Try Googling "Bamboo Ladder"

http://www.mastergardenproducts.com/bambooladder.htm

posted by bepsf on August 8th 2008 at 10:25am
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you could probably have someone at your local home store make one for you. i'm guessing it would take little more than some dowels and a drill.

then you could have the fun of weathering it!

posted by miss sparrow on August 8th 2008 at 10:28am
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What about making your own. Just get a couple of 2 x 4's from your local hardware store which should be pretty inexpensive. You can usually get them to cut them for you for a few dollars more as well. Then you can stain it whatever color you want.

posted by modernguy on August 8th 2008 at 10:39am
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This antique shop here in Cambridge has a great assortment of them. http://www.ecountryantiques.com/web/Collection/accessories

Since this doesn't help you...I would try antique shops in your area.

posted by TCMB on August 8th 2008 at 10:47am
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http://rusticgarden.stores.yahoo.net/oldruswoodla.html

posted by canadian in swedish clothing on August 8th 2008 at 11:07am
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I think you might be looking for an orchard ladder, also called an apple ladder. Here is a link for new ones.
http://www.peterbaldwinarts.com/ladders/

posted by mrs yow on August 8th 2008 at 11:13am
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You know, depending on where you live, your best bet may be looking on Craigslist or scouring yard sales or flea markets. At least if you're looking for the "real thing," you know?

posted by katiebug on August 8th 2008 at 11:56am
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Why I just wrote "you know" twice in a post, I don't know. Jeez. Sorry!

posted by katiebug on August 8th 2008 at 11:57am
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You could also buy reclaimed timber, which is easy to find, and create something custom with a drill and some old galvanized screws.

posted by atlantadesigner on August 8th 2008 at 7:10pm
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Depending on how rustic you want it to look you could look for something like this:

http://www.pbase.com/sadie04/image/63930534

Might be a fun DYI project, or I found this website that sells them:

http://www.grandriversupply.com/grs/kivaLadders.aspx?m=y&c=kivalad&OVRAW=kiva%20ladder&OVKEY=kiva%20ladder&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=3605825511&OVKWID=7171763511

posted by oceandreamer56 on August 9th 2008 at 2:47pm
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'back in the day'..90's etc..antique shops in the country/cape cod..sold them:apple ladders..but easiest way out is to go on the suggested website.

posted by keeks on August 9th 2008 at 4:03pm
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DIY

posted by venus_thames on August 10th 2008 at 4:24pm
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I was looking for one for getting up into my loft at my old apartment. I went to a neighborhood hardware store and told them I was looking for a ladder. They had all the usual gross new and metal ones around that looked too utilitarian. But then one of the employees went up to their storage area, found a dusty old wooden extension ladder, and they cut it down for me right there with a saw. It was such an unexpected way to find it.

posted by rorosto on August 11th 2008 at 6:22am
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