The restored ladder stair, as well as the closet as a whole, clearly shows that types of architectural finishes used in the closet were drastically simpler than those seen in Montpelier's more public rooms.  Moreover, building a closet, or any secondary space, with bare stud walls and a very simple ladder stair would not have been uncommon in the period.  Because these rooms, unlike a bedchamber or parlor, would not have been seen on a regular basis or used for everyday living, they were often not finished to the same degree as the more visible public spaces.