Ladder Help!

Here's how I would do it. First thing's first: clean it. Dish soap and warm water should suffice. You could use sponge, rags, or even a paintbrush. A paintbrush is helpful if the wood has more of an open grain. Let it dry for a while. When I'm refinishing wood furniture, I apply a sealant before lacquer or stain, to protect the wood. This also gives the lacquer a better base, kind of like applying primer before makeup. To get that rustic, imperfect look, you could use a stippled brush to apply the stain. Experiment with layering the strokes. For wood finish, you should probably look into the (many) different options, so you can achieve the right look. I apply finish with a rag.

I hope this makes sense! If not, the good news is that there are lots of tutorials online!

I would definitely agree, clean it first. You can either stain it or apply a thin layer of paint. If you want a "worn" look, you can sand it a little afterwards. There are tons of videos on Pinterest also.

Good luck with the design and congratulations!!