Craig Chambers asked:


Kiva ladders or Wooden Indian log ladders look wonderful in Native American style homes when combined with other southwestern home decorating accessories. While traveling or visiting the southwestern states you will undoubtedly notice that Indian log ladders have become the most universal symbols of American Indian style artwork, used for fabulous, rustic and western style interior design.

Kiva ladders are beautiful wood ladders usually fashioned from pine poles that have been scraped by hand. The rungs of the ladder are notched to fit into the upright poles, and rawhide lacing is used to join each piece together in a cross style design. The ladder is narrower at the top than it is at the bottom, adding a measure of height.

One exciting way to add the village style look and feel in your decor, without actually using pueblo designs, is to use the same primitive style, pueblo ladder or kiva log ladder. The ladders will create a subtle but definite pueblo or western look in the room. A kiva ladder also creates a great way to display a few of your most treasured western tapestries or Navajo blankets.

Other home decor items that combine well with wood ladders are Navajo throws, American Indian pottery and drums, wood dough bowls and rustic lamps with rawhide lamp shades. You can also use ladders to highlight unique styles you may like such as the kokopelli or other village designs. The use of the kiva ladder as a display rack will liven up the western decor in your interior decorating, add bright colors, and give the ladder a better sense of purpose and function.

There is something unique about pueblo style dwellings made of adobe bricks with their wood ladders on the roofs. This shape has become representative of southwest interior design and style. Many homes in the southwest are similar to the early pueblo style, and the kiva ladder is always used.

Pueblo designs are found on rugs, dolls, pottery, paintings, art, and rustic furniture. And, the rustic wood ladders are often used to decorate cabins, lodge style homes and also anywhere people like native or southwestern style.

Use some creativity. There is no limitation to how log ladders can be used. You can create an interesting look by using two ladders together like an “A” frame with rustic boards between them on the ladders rungs for shelves. It is possible you already own some rugs or tapestries you can use and put a small table beside it or an Indian drum and you will create a one of a kind and eye catching design.

A lot people also use kiva ladders as a place to hang Native style throw blankets to cover up with during those cold winter evenings. You could use kiva ladders as a place to hang extra blankets or afghans in your guest rooms when not being used.

Use kiva style log ladders in all your rooms, in the same style or differently without it looking overly done. So, if you want a truly unique Native Indian design element to add to your home decor, try using rustic wooden kiva ladders.