a step ladder update.

Published on by Quandie

Last week I shared the chippy step ladder that I picked up while garage saling.

As much as I like the chippy look, I didn’t love the color scheme.  Orange and yellow have never been my favorites.

I wanted to ‘save’ the chippy-ness, but give it a new color.  So I sanded off all of the loose paint, wiped it down with a damp rag, and then added two coats of Sweet Pickens’ In a Pickle milk paint.

Once dry, I sanded it again.  Most of the new paint on the top chipped off.

But that’s exactly what I wanted, it looks authentically chippy … and authentically green.  I’ve successfully covered up most of that yellow and orange, although there may be little bits of it peeking out here and there.

Before adding a topcoat of clear wax, I added a couple of stencils to the lower two steps.

and to the back …

That stencil is from the Grain Sack Minis stencils from JRV Stencils, fyi.

This step ladder is a bit too rickety to actually use as a ladder, but it would make a fabulous ‘side table’ on a covered porch.  Or possibly a plant stand.

I staged up these photos with the last of my lilacs.

Don’t forget, the time to prune lilacs is immediately after they are done blooming.  I’ll be getting to that in a couple of days.

In the meantime, how do you like the step ladder makeover?

Do you agree that green is better than orange and yellow?  Or maybe you preferred the original color.  Leave a comment and let me know!

32 thoughts on “a step ladder update.”

  2. Love the green step ladder – that orange and yellow had to go!
    And thanks for the reminder to prune the lilacs!

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  6. Adorable! The green really works and I have an old step stool that may get a similar treatment. Thanks again for the great inspiration!

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  8. I think the green is much better! The chippy paint and stencils really set it off. It would be great as plant stand in a flower bed or on a patio. Your lilacs are lovely! Lilacs are my favorite springtime fragrance!

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  9. I love the green. Green is my favorite color. The redo is wonderful! The stencil added the finishing touch.
    Smiles, alice

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  16. What brand of top coat did you use on the step ladder? Are you keeping it outdoors? Thanks… love your ideas! Nancy

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    1. I used Fusion’s clear wax on it, and it would not be suitable for outdoor use. Unless you are OK with it only surviving one or possibly two seasons.

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