Hello blog lovers and decorating addicts, I am back, and I guess so are you, or you wouldn’t read this.
Astonishing talent for logic, I have! Don’t you think….
A couple of days ago I showed you this old thrifted ladder I had put up in my bedroom to test out to see if I like it there and if My Love could live with it. Well the ladder got the thumbs up from both of us, so I guess she is going to stay (or do you think it is a he?).
For now…
Of course that brought up the issue of the styling of the ladder. The few books I had haphazardly plunked on it could not really be described as ‘stylish’, and I felt the ladder deserved more. So the question was how to decorate my ladder?
As you may now, My Love and I don’t exactly share the same preference for a decorating style. We are, as you could say, on opposites of a continuum, and therefore are always looking for the place on that line were we both feel comfortable. (does that makes sense at all, it sounds very clear in my head, but that doesn’t mean much). Let’s just say we are trying to find and define OUR style.
Well some time ago I saw someone describe their decorating style as Industrial Coastal Cottage, and I thought Eureka! That’s it!
Industrial is My Love’s craving for chrome, bold colors, modern design, emptiness and artificial materials,
Coastal are all the neutrals I like to use so much, the natural materials and of course my white,
Cottage stands for my love of distressed wood, vintage items and shabby chic with a romantic touch.
So I decided to experiment with what those styles meant for me, and how they would translate in a decorative style for my ladder. My first attempt was a true Industrial style.
I looked for inspiration at my three icons for this style. I channeled my inner Donna, Amy and Desiree so to speak. Obvious color choice: neutrals, wood tones and metal.
It felt a bit strange, but once I got over the thought that I was crazy to put woodworking tools in my bedroom, I kinda digged the old tools. The tools show the signs of a life of labor, like they should. They belong to My Love who actually went to school to become a carpenter, way back when, in another life.
The rusty candle was one of his projects he made in school.
So what do you think. A true INDUSTRIAL styled ladder?
Next up was coastal.
My inspiration came from Sarah, Fairmaiden and Karna, three ladies who have truly mastered the art of coastal decorating.
Of course this meant shells, my sea star and I even threw in some mother of pearl.
Again mostly neutral colors, but colors inspired by the sea, sand and skies of a beach.
I live far away from the sea and my thirties house definitely does not look like a beach house, so I have to be careful not to over do it with this style. But for my ladder I pulled out all the stops.
Constant elements in all the stylings were books, candles and flowers. I think that are the staples of most any vignette, so I figured my ladder needn’t be an exception.
Ok on then to style number three: Cottage
Because I have a white and red bedspread, I decided to emphasize those colors.
Cottage in my book, always means pottery and fabric and a soft romantic touch to everything. It is what Marian, Elly and Cindy do so well.
So that’s why you will find a sauce bowl in my bedroom vignette here…
I guess my new white nighty is more appropriate….
I think my little numbered pots work well here. And looking at it I think I should have waited until my flowers were blooming a little stronger. But I was on a deadline because I wanted to join in with Donna’s extra special Ladder party this Saturday over at Funky Junk Interiors.
Ok, now I want your opinion! Which of my ladder styles do you think turned out the best. Which is your favorite?
To make it easy for you, I thought it would be fun to add a poll, but I couldn’t make it work, that thing messed up my whole blog. So you’ll have to do with looking at these three pictures again and telling my your favorite style in the comments.
 "Coastal Ladder3")
 "Cottage Ladder2")
Can’t wait to see which one will win.
And of course now you are wondering which one I preferred. Well I am not going to tell you yet. Cheesy, I know.
But take a gamble and let me know in the comments which one you think is in my bedroom right now…
And tell me do you dig the Industrial Coastal Cottage thing…..?
Haha… ohh you are good. I have two ladders that need attention and I thought I'd get by with using old photos instead. And here you go and do THIS!
You know which one I love.
You labeled me right on. And I think you chose to keep the cottage one. Can't wait to see if I'm right. 
May as well say it now… thanks for linking up to the ladder edition of SNS! Tomorrow.
Donna
Haha… ohh you are good. I have two ladders that need attention and I thought I'd get by with using old photos instead. And here you go and do THIS!
You know which one I love.
You labeled me right on. And I think you chose to keep the cottage one. Can't wait to see if I'm right. 
May as well say it now… thanks for linking up to the ladder edition of SNS! Tomorrow.
Donna
WOW, wat heb jij er een werk van gemaakt! En om heel eerlijk te zijn, heb ik geen idee welke ik het mooist vind. Er staat al sinds jaren een laddertje naast ons bed, helemaal kaal (nuja, hij staat ook niet aan mijn kant
)
Ik geloof, dat je voor de zomermaanden voor de seaside variant hebt gekozen…en daarna komt de cottage aan de beurt (lekker gezellig in de herfst) en in Januari komt de industrial cottage in de slaapkamer!
Een heel fijn weekend! – Irma
WOW, wat heb jij er een werk van gemaakt! En om heel eerlijk te zijn, heb ik geen idee welke ik het mooist vind. Er staat al sinds jaren een laddertje naast ons bed, helemaal kaal (nuja, hij staat ook niet aan mijn kant
)
Ik geloof, dat je voor de zomermaanden voor de seaside variant hebt gekozen…en daarna komt de cottage aan de beurt (lekker gezellig in de herfst) en in Januari komt de industrial cottage in de slaapkamer!
Een heel fijn weekend! – Irma
Wow, this is fun!! My personal favorite is number two: the coastal one. I love it.
Somehow I guess your choice would be the last one: the cottagy thing, which is o so pretty too.
I will be back tomorrow … just curious to know if I guessed right haha.
Have a nice day!
Anita
Wow, this is fun!! My personal favorite is number two: the coastal one. I love it.
Somehow I guess your choice would be the last one: the cottagy thing, which is o so pretty too.
I will be back tomorrow … just curious to know if I guessed right haha.
Have a nice day!
Anita
I would like to see a combo of 2 and 3. I like 2 mostly…but agree with you…if you don't live close to the beach..don't have a beachy theme. So I'd like 2 with the white dishes of 3 mixed in and get rid of the shells. I like the styling of three but do not like the red. I like the colors of 2. There you have it….I think you need to set up a 4 which would show the mix up of 2 and 3. Then post a photo…please.
I would like to see a combo of 2 and 3. I like 2 mostly…but agree with you…if you don't live close to the beach..don't have a beachy theme. So I'd like 2 with the white dishes of 3 mixed in and get rid of the shells. I like the styling of three but do not like the red. I like the colors of 2. There you have it….I think you need to set up a 4 which would show the mix up of 2 and 3. Then post a photo…please.
HAHA leuk gedaan weer. MIJN voorkeur gaat uit naar nr. 3. De cottage Romantic style ♥ Nr. 2 is ook leuk, nr 1 is echt NIET mijn ding, maar ja IK heb dan ook geen Lief die daarvan houdt
HAHA leuk gedaan weer. MIJN voorkeur gaat uit naar nr. 3. De cottage Romantic style ♥ Nr. 2 is ook leuk, nr 1 is echt NIET mijn ding, maar ja IK heb dan ook geen Lief die daarvan houdt
Beautiful ideas-thank you for sharing them!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Beautiful ideas-thank you for sharing them!
Best wishes,
Natasha.
Love it and though I like all 3, the cottage one is my fave! : )
Love it and though I like all 3, the cottage one is my fave! : )
those are fabulous Marianne…i actually like #1 and #3…i have a fondness for both of those kinds of things!!!
those are fabulous Marianne…i actually like #1 and #3…i have a fondness for both of those kinds of things!!!
Boy, Oh, Boy… I couldn't decide between the beach ladder and the red/white for your bedroom, because I'm so busy contemplating what I'm going to do with mine!!! Thanks so much for the inspiration!!!
Boy, Oh, Boy… I couldn't decide between the beach ladder and the red/white for your bedroom, because I'm so busy contemplating what I'm going to do with mine!!! Thanks so much for the inspiration!!!
I, personally, like the coastal bet followed up by your husbands industrial for the reasons you mentioned.
Will be interested to see what you picked.
I, personally, like the coastal bet followed up by your husbands industrial for the reasons you mentioned.
Will be interested to see what you picked.
I love 2 and 3 but if I have to choose just one of them, I would say 3, the cottage style!! They all look amazing though!
I love 2 and 3 but if I have to choose just one of them, I would say 3, the cottage style!! They all look amazing though!
I'm loving all three of course. But would choose Cottage for my house. Now for some reason I think in your bedroom right now is Industrial. I think it has something to do with convincing a husband. Good job.
Going to the garage right now to get my ladder.
I'm loving all three of course. But would choose Cottage for my house. Now for some reason I think in your bedroom right now is Industrial. I think it has something to do with convincing a husband. Good job.
Going to the garage right now to get my ladder.
I like no. 3. I admire you for having the gumption for putting a ladder in your br. I don't think I could do it. I am afraid my family would say Mama has finally slipped over the edge. LOL
I like no. 3. I admire you for having the gumption for putting a ladder in your br. I don't think I could do it. I am afraid my family would say Mama has finally slipped over the edge. LOL
To Mary Ann, Funny I didn't think twice about putting the ladder in my bedroom, but decorating it with the woodshop tools felt odd. Did it anyway. Felt good
To Mary Ann, Funny I didn't think twice about putting the ladder in my bedroom, but decorating it with the woodshop tools felt odd. Did it anyway. Felt good
I am digging the red and white one! I love the numbered pots and the toile bowl.
Fabulous job on all 3!
natalie
I am digging the red and white one! I love the numbered pots and the toile bowl.
Fabulous job on all 3!
natalie
It's definitely #3 for me! Once you added a little bit of red, it just added the charm that was needed.
Brenda
It's definitely #3 for me! Once you added a little bit of red, it just added the charm that was needed.
Brenda
The simplicity of the coastal version works well for my eyes and spirit..however I was just imagining you running to and fro whipping things off the ladder and throwing them on your bed to get the feel for what you and your husband would both like!!! hee hee!
I have a ladder too. A curb find. I think it was my first curb find…no, I'm pretty sure it was. It's sitting in my basement….someone painted it pale puke. It's like 9 feet tall….I gotta get some ideas or else gently place it back at the curb……..
have a gorgeous weekend,
~Kolein
The simplicity of the coastal version works well for my eyes and spirit..however I was just imagining you running to and fro whipping things off the ladder and throwing them on your bed to get the feel for what you and your husband would both like!!! hee hee!
I have a ladder too. A curb find. I think it was my first curb find…no, I'm pretty sure it was. It's sitting in my basement….someone painted it pale puke. It's like 9 feet tall….I gotta get some ideas or else gently place it back at the curb……..
have a gorgeous weekend,
~Kolein
I like all 3 versions. I'd probably do each for a little bit of time. But my fave is the cottage one. But I think you should have a combo of all the styles. But then what do I know. Can't wait to see which one you kept.
I like all 3 versions. I'd probably do each for a little bit of time. But my fave is the cottage one. But I think you should have a combo of all the styles. But then what do I know. Can't wait to see which one you kept.
Hello sweet Marianne – I popped over from The Inspired Room for a look at your ladder vignettes! I love them all, but I do think my fave is the Coastal decor with your sweet starfish at the top and candles in a row. So pretty.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
Hello sweet Marianne – I popped over from The Inspired Room for a look at your ladder vignettes! I love them all, but I do think my fave is the Coastal decor with your sweet starfish at the top and candles in a row. So pretty.
Blessings,
Marie
http://emmacallsmemama.com
They are all very attractive. The basic neutral of the ladder lets it go in so many directions. Press me and I'd pick the one on the right as the preferred however. Something very charming about the candles. Hope you'll stop by and see us if you have time. Jane
They are all very attractive. The basic neutral of the ladder lets it go in so many directions. Press me and I'd pick the one on the right as the preferred however. Something very charming about the candles. Hope you'll stop by and see us if you have time. Jane
They are all wonderful but I am partial to the cottage style one!
They are all wonderful but I am partial to the cottage style one!
I love them all too, but either due to my midwestern roots or my love of red, I have a preference for choice 3.
I love them all too, but either due to my midwestern roots or my love of red, I have a preference for choice 3.
Well goodness, any one of those could be in a magazine. They are wonderful. And if you're making us choose, I say I'd go with industrial. Really adds interest to the ladder. Whew, that's a hard choice though.
Well goodness, any one of those could be in a magazine. They are wonderful. And if you're making us choose, I say I'd go with industrial. Really adds interest to the ladder. Whew, that's a hard choice though.
Found your blog through Funky Junk Interiors….love your ladder and all the cute ideas! I am now a follower.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Found your blog through Funky Junk Interiors….love your ladder and all the cute ideas! I am now a follower.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I love your blog! I've been reading for a couple months and have been so inspired by you!
I think number 3. I love the way you have a candle on each rung. I also love your numbered pots. I copy Pottery Barn any chance I get!
I love your blog! I've been reading for a couple months and have been so inspired by you!
I think number 3. I love the way you have a candle on each rung. I also love your numbered pots. I copy Pottery Barn any chance I get!
They are all wonderful. But I like #1 the best, just my choice. I think any of them would look great in your bedroom. Can't wait to see which one you choose.
Blessings, Vicky
They are all wonderful. But I like #1 the best, just my choice. I think any of them would look great in your bedroom. Can't wait to see which one you choose.
Blessings, Vicky
Love your ladder decoration idea marianne. They are all beautiful but my vote must go to the one with the wreath. I love how you have decorated that and the colors too.
~ Tina
Love your ladder decoration idea marianne. They are all beautiful but my vote must go to the one with the wreath. I love how you have decorated that and the colors too.
~ Tina
Great ideas!!
blessings
barbara jean
Great ideas!!
blessings
barbara jean
Love all three! If I had to choose just one it would be the coastal inspired.
Love all three! If I had to choose just one it would be the coastal inspired.
I thought I had commented on this yesterday. I saw them when Donna posted about it and my jaw dropped. You rocked this idea. It is great. I love them all. I tought I was a follower too and I noticed I wasn't. Now I have my act together. I commented and I am following!!! Very inspiring ladders you've got there.
I thought I had commented on this yesterday. I saw them when Donna posted about it and my jaw dropped. You rocked this idea. It is great. I love them all. I tought I was a follower too and I noticed I wasn't. Now I have my act together. I commented and I am following!!! Very inspiring ladders you've got there.
I saw your industrial ladder on Donna's sidebar….wow! I love how you put it all together. Well done!
I saw your industrial ladder on Donna's sidebar….wow! I love how you put it all together. Well done!
I love all three! Personally I would love a combination of 1 and 2. I love the rusty candle, bottles and wreath from #1, and the pillows, basket, drift wood and shells from #2. They are all beautiful and if I had to pick just one I would pick #1 because I love the wreath so much, it looks so great with the wood of the ladder.
I think you picked one??? I'm hesitant on to say that as everyone else seems to think you chose #3. Looking forward to seeing which one you chose to keep.
And yes I am totally digging the Industrial Coastal Cottage definition!
I love all three! Personally I would love a combination of 1 and 2. I love the rusty candle, bottles and wreath from #1, and the pillows, basket, drift wood and shells from #2. They are all beautiful and if I had to pick just one I would pick #1 because I love the wreath so much, it looks so great with the wood of the ladder.
I think you picked one??? I'm hesitant on to say that as everyone else seems to think you chose #3. Looking forward to seeing which one you chose to keep.
And yes I am totally digging the Industrial Coastal Cottage definition!
Fabulous! I love how created three such special looks!! I also appreciate that you pulled things from all over the house and made each vignette your own. My favorite? I say mix them all! Make it truly industrial coastal cottage by combining your favorite components of each to make one fabulous display.
Amy
P.S. So glad I inspire you as much as you inspire me!
Fabulous! I love how created three such special looks!! I also appreciate that you pulled things from all over the house and made each vignette your own. My favorite? I say mix them all! Make it truly industrial coastal cottage by combining your favorite components of each to make one fabulous display.
Amy
P.S. So glad I inspire you as much as you inspire me!
I did a quick post about your ladder project on my Junkologie blog. Love it!
Amy
I did a quick post about your ladder project on my Junkologie blog. Love it!
Amy
Fun post!
I love elements of all three actually, but I would have to choose number 2 as my fave.
I like the little glass votives on each rung on number 3!
Fun post!
I love elements of all three actually, but I would have to choose number 2 as my fave.
I like the little glass votives on each rung on number 3!
I love all three! I have two ladders that I found on bulk trash day that I was wondering what to do with. I think I've got it now!! Thanks.
And thank you for posting on my Anthropologie lamp project.
I love all three! I have two ladders that I found on bulk trash day that I was wondering what to do with. I think I've got it now!! Thanks.
And thank you for posting on my Anthropologie lamp project.
I really like them all Marianne, but I think my favorite is the cottage.
I really like them all Marianne, but I think my favorite is the cottage.
for me definitely the coastal ladder. although i think the red/white one would be great too since you have red in your bedding. all are very creative!
for me definitely the coastal ladder. although i think the red/white one would be great too since you have red in your bedding. all are very creative!
I love #3! They all look wonderful, but the cottage style with touches of red is my favorite. ::Jill
I love #3! They all look wonderful, but the cottage style with touches of red is my favorite. ::Jill
Nice project. I would love it if you would link this up in Modern Craftswoman Monday. Very well done. Rory
Nice project. I would love it if you would link this up in Modern Craftswoman Monday. Very well done. Rory
I don't even think I can pick one Marianne!!! They're all so beautiful…I think it would be wonderful to change something like this out for the seasons, that way you could enjoy them all! The wreath is gorgeous every way you decorate it…now I want one! xxoo, Dawn
I don't even think I can pick one Marianne!!! They're all so beautiful…I think it would be wonderful to change something like this out for the seasons, that way you could enjoy them all! The wreath is gorgeous every way you decorate it…now I want one! xxoo, Dawn
Hi there! I had to tell you I just linked up one of your images from this post! I loved it so much! I was discussing my love for vintage ladders
http://hammersandhighheels.blogspot.com/2011/04/head-over-heels-vintage-ladders.html
Hi there! I had to tell you I just linked up one of your images from this post! I loved it so much! I was discussing my love for vintage ladders
http://hammersandhighheels.blogspot.com/2011/04/head-over-heels-vintage-ladders.html
Wow! Great job there. I personally love the cottage one, but I also like the old rusty feeling of the industrial as well. I'm not a coastal type of person, so no #2 for me!
Lovely inspirations, can't wait to see what Donna's bringing for that party!
Wow! Great job there. I personally love the cottage one, but I also like the old rusty feeling of the industrial as well. I'm not a coastal type of person, so no #2 for me!
Lovely inspirations, can't wait to see what Donna's bringing for that party!
Very nice Marianne – you’ve done a lovely job! I liked the Cottage one the most and then the Coastal.
I love the cottage one. I’ve always wanted to do something with our old wooden ladder. It is so tall though. I just know it came over on the Ark. Yea, it is very old and vintage. Hubby would have a spell I think. But I have thought of it for a long time!!!