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June 4, 2014 Crafts & DIY

Old Ladder to Cookbook Stand

So this is one of those posts that I don’t know if I’ve completely lost it, or if this is actually kind of fun.

Why do I think I lost it? Well, months ago there was a wooden ladder in my neighbors trash pile about two doors down. Curious as to what was all over there, I tip-toed (literally, not sure why that makes you feel more incognito but it does) and decided no way was I going to be the person that trash picked their neighbor, so I walked back home.

No more than 30 seconds after I got home, I decided that I was indeed crazy, and that I really wanted that ladder. So, I went back a SECOND time and grabbed it, this time running home. I can be pretty embarrassing slick like that. She then sat in the garage for a month or two, so I could make sure there were no bugs that I also brought home.

 photo CookbookStandLadderBefore_zps2856416c.jpg

Now, a year and a move later (you know it got packed up with me because I was too embarrassed to put it on my own curb months later) I’m finally working on it. If you’re still reading, I promise there’s a project at the end of this saga : ) Believe it or not, this post isn’t even what I’m using the meat & potatoes of the ladder for. That post is later! For that project I needed to cut off the legs at an even length. That left me with this top piece.

 photo CookbookStandBefore_zps6b10ac1f.jpg

I set it on the kitchen counter just like this (I have to work in the kitchen since we’re limited on space in the apartment, again, thank goodness I’m not a food blogger, or sawdust would be my special ingredient) and an idea popped in my head… doesn’t it already look kind of like a stand?

After seeing that, I got distracted from my original project and decided to keep this top in the kitchen, and try to use it as a cookbook stand. To make it sturdier, I cut the ends off at an angle like this.

 photo CookbookStandCutLineCollage_zpsfdc4805e.jpg

And then to make the ledge where the cookbook would rest, I grabbed two 1 1/2″ screws, and two of the large metal washers from the ladder and screwed them in. A dab of glue keeps the washers in place against the head of the screw.

 photo CookbookStandScrewingCollage_zps052f7015.jpg

Last but not least, the whole thing got a good cleaning (vinegar & water) and about 4 coats of Poly, to seal in anything that is/was/will be on the surface. After all, it was outside waiting for the garbage man and now it’s in my kitchen, so that baby needed to be sealed up nice.

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And here’s the finished product! It also works to hold my iPad for any Pinterest recipes I want to attempt.

 photo CookbookStandAfter_zps6f030b7b.jpg

I’m kind of digging the junk to treasure look of it, and it was a fun & easy (and free!) project to put together!

 photo CookbookStandAfterRight_zps0d6be3c3.jpg

 photo CookbookStandBeforeampAfter_zpsd1e438df.jpg

What do you think? Fun or funky? Do anything to embarrass yourself lately? Bonus points if it was in front of your neighbors : )

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PS. Want more Sypsie? Follow us by email (top of the right sidebar!) or any of our social pages!

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Categories: Crafts & DIY

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Audrey Zumwalt says

    June 13, 2014 at 11:08 pm

    Clever idea. Love your use/uses of the old ladder. The shelves over the toilet is clever too.
    I just took a old ladder apart and used the pieces for display in our garage sale this week-end. One with the shelves and the other rungs for hanging quilts. May try to find a place on the front porch for the piece with shelves.
    Thanks for the inspiration.
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

    Reply
    • Sypsie says

      June 16, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      Thank you Audrey! Yours sounds very clever as well, and the front porch idea sounds really cute! Thanks so much for stopping by : )

      Reply
  2. Nancy says

    June 21, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    I love it!!! Two fabulous ideas! I have an old ladder as well that cost me $3 at an estate sale but I would trash-pick my neighbor for a good find any day.

    Reply
    • Sypsie says

      June 23, 2014 at 9:10 am

      Thanks Nancy! Estate sales are perfect places to pick up goodies like this! I was so nervous about grabbing it haha, but really glad in the end : )

      Reply

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