Ladder leaning

In the process of a renovation one tends to concentrate on the big things: tiles, floors, kitchen, then when you get to the end of the process, all of a sudden the details get smaller... and there is less money left, having spent all of it on light-fittings and switches. Fittings such as Toilet-roll holders, towel-rails and bookshelves seem to take the knock 

(well this is what I have found)... Enter the need for a cost-effective and clever solution.

As with all good ideas, I turned to Pinterest for my inspiration. The rejuvenation of old ladders, I felt, would suffice for the urgent need for long towel rails that would end the "towel-on-the-floor" shabby-chic look and turn our bathrooms into sanctuaries that were a little more organised.

The above Images are all from Pinterest. What they do show, though, is that the rustic looking ladders, used for different needs, all relate to the timber accents used elsewhere in the interiors. 
I needed my ladders fast. We had family staying with us and they needed to be up and "holding" as soon as they could be taken apart, sanded and cleaned. 

In hindsight, though, I think I'm still going to give them a coat of glossy white enamel paint. I feel this will suit my home better. My other paint option, which I have been loving lately, is Chalk Paint, by Annie Sloan. Chalk Paint is less "technical" than normal paint and you can change your mind with colours and just paint over, sounds too good to be true! (find out more here).

The ladders above were what I found on Auction, I bid and paid R320 for three of them
(bargain). They needed to be "split" since only the front portion of the ladder "V" had the treads on them. Cleaning and sanding was needed, but they would serve the purpose.

So after a little TLC, the ladders were propped against my walls and could be used as storage space for now. Books fit snugly on the treads and magazines hang over. 

But, my real need for these were the towel solution, they work perfectly, plus, since they just lean against a wall and are not fixed, on heat-wave weekends (such as this past one) they can be carried outside and used for beach/ swimming towels as well. Now this, I think,  is really fabulous, just leaning against your pool wall. 
I am still going to paint the two that are being used in the bathrooms in a high gloss white, but the one by the pool I will leave with it's paint-splattered character.