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Climbing my Chippy Ladder to Success!

October 6th, 2009 in member junk     
CottageElements Lanette Lorsung, contributor
17 users recommend
This was a fun piece I found.  Loved the look, loved the chippiness, but didnt quite know what to do with it until I did what Sue has taught me.  I flipped it around till I could envision a purpose for it.
As you can see, when I first looked at it, I immediately wanted to keep it as a railing.  But it didnt seem to fit anywhere.  Thankfully I had taken a few tips from Sue!
Once turned, its potential was visualized.  And I loved all the nooks and crannys this piece has.  They make perfect ledges to showcase some of my favorite collections.
For this I wanted to display some of my vintage cameras and included some picture frames (or film holders in their previous life).
Does this look familiar?  It was a project I did back in February using vintage film holders (see Picture Book-na-na-na-na-na-na).
How bout a family picture?  Have to include them, now dont I.  Nice lookin bunch, dontcha think?
Heres a closeup of the above camera.  Its called a Cine Camera and was able to take pictures at a rapid pace as to appear to be moving.  Fun piece! 
I love, love, love using vintage store sign holders.  This one is a petite version.  Cute!  For the sign in it, I just whipped it up using my computer.  Instant personalization!
This was a fun piece I found.  Loved the look, loved the chippiness, but didnt quite know what to do with it until I did what Sue has taught me.  I flipped it around till I could envision a purpose for it.

This was a fun piece I found.  Loved the look, loved the chippiness, but didn't quite know what to do with it until I did what Sue has taught me.  I flipped it around till I could envision a purpose for it.

Photo: Lanette at Cottage Elements www.CottageElements.com
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Though this may actually be a railing in it's former life, it wasn't until I envisioned it as a ladder that I was able to find a successful solution to decorating with it.  Thanks to Ms. Sue, I've learned for some pieces, you need to flip them over, turn them upside down and inside out, before you can see their real potential!


Pattern or design used: My own design - Lanette of Cottage Elements
posted in: member junk, vintage, wood, cottage, artwork, organizer, family room, picture holder, living room, whimsical, white, fun, porch, shelf
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Comments (22)

chacha5611 writes: Love it, you did a great job Posted: 11:09 am on October 13th
suewhitney writes: Love this look, Lani!! Clean, simple, and ab fab.

Take care,
Sue Posted: 4:18 pm on October 10th
chippingcharm writes: Lani...love this! So wonderfully "chipping with charm" :) Laurel Posted: 8:19 am on October 9th
georgiamoon writes: Can we all say DARLING???? Yep this one is another home run from our heavy hitter, Lani! Great piece, and great use of it. You are incredibly talented my dear! Love this, Georgia Posted: 7:48 pm on October 7th
DesignTurnpike writes: The distressing is perfect! Posted: 11:45 am on October 7th
CottageElements writes: Ah, shucks! You make me blush. Thanks y'all. Love reading all your comments and so glad you like it! Not sure about my own show though, but thanks Lisa!. I think I'll stick to this for the time being. LOL! Lakelover69, good point. I did poly this piece to prevent the paint from chipping off, but if I had small kids, I'd probably have to keep it up so as not to have them chewing on it or picking off pieces that may fall off. It's always something to keep in mind when you are dealing with vintage items.

Lani Posted: 9:13 am on October 7th
JunkArchitect writes:
Lani, I wish I had found this piece. It really looks incredible used as shelving and all your little junk items are great. I think it would make a really cool headboard too.

Jim
Posted: 8:57 am on October 7th
monakent writes: Great idea. Love how it all came together, so nicely. gailmarie Posted: 12:28 am on October 7th
artisansjunk writes: I LOVE this! What was it before? You have such talent and your photos are amazing. TV Show....TV show... Posted: 10:42 pm on October 6th
MimiToria writes: A great post Lani. Love what you've done with this piece, and how you've got everything displayed. I have a vintage camera collection too. Funny!
Is this a mate to the one you sold at JB, or did you already sell this?
Gretchen Posted: 9:28 pm on October 6th
fellowjunker writes: What a beautiful addition to your gorgeous home Lani. The aged patina on this piece is absolutely wonderful, and you have an amazing knack for displaying items!!!
Happy day.
xojanis Posted: 6:56 pm on October 6th
Heavenly_Treasures writes: LANETTE,
Wow you did a teriffic job on this,So many of you have tremendous talent. GOD BLESS, ROBERT. Posted: 5:19 pm on October 6th
byabpryor writes: Great stuff.... Posted: 3:57 pm on October 6th
shabbychick writes: Lani - I love it and all its fabulous chippy-ness!! What a great display.

And, I definitely do follow Sue's bit of junk philosophy too...upside down, inside out, do the hokey pokey...oh wait a minute - just got a little carried away! (junk does that, doesn't it???)

Nice job my friend!!

Kathy Posted: 11:52 am on October 6th
Junk_Sophisticate writes: Love how you accessorized it! And I also live by Sue's advice of turning things every which way until creativity sparks.

Lovely, lovely post, Lani!
Candy Posted: 11:20 am on October 6th
oldnews writes: Lakelover69 - I'm with you - I ALWAYS worry about lead contamination, which is why I ALWAYs seal everything with several coats of clear varithane or poly before I ever use or display. I know that some really prefer the natural old look, as do I, but I can't risk inadvertantly making anyone sick. ESPECIALLY my precious little grandkids! Posted: 10:35 am on October 6th
BOOKENDS writes: What a great piece....2 of my favorite things...photos and old chippy wood... Posted: 10:16 am on October 6th
RustyDiva writes: Love, love love this Lani! Most of all (besides ummm everything about it) I love that you kept the end pieces on. I'm afraid I would have chopped them off without thinking first. This piece is awesome ~ I love chippy. How many times have I used the word love? I guess that means I kind of ~ sort of like this piece. :) Posted: 10:06 am on October 6th
jacklynn4 writes: j'adore! C'est magnifique! This is such clever and stylish use of a found object! Posted: 9:38 am on October 6th
alicemom writes: Great turn around or should I say turn over! Another fine job Miss Lani!
smiles, alice Posted: 9:34 am on October 6th
lakelover69 writes: I really like what you have done with this piece. I do worry that there is the possibility of lead paint on all these old chipped pieces. I hope you don't have any little children in your home. That's something that every "junker" should be aware of. Posted: 9:14 am on October 6th
oldnews writes: This is SO cool! I've been looking for something like this for my stairwell and have had NO luck, and you have found the perfect piece! It is really, really beautiful and I love all your goodies that make it so special! This is seriously spectacular! Marie Posted: 8:49 am on October 6th
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