Two years later, I'm still dreaming of the brass ladder in Anne Hathaway's former New York kitchen – here's how this unexpected, humble detail elevates any space

Forget a pot filler, fancy oven, or marble backsplash; if I could have one luxury feature in my kitchen, it would be a ladder to the upper cabinets.

One of the best I've seen is in the kitchen of Anne Hathaway's former New York City apartment, which we've been writing about for years. The actor's luxe space is almost all white and full of shelves that home beautiful pieces of stoneware. Then, the team at Gramercy Design installed a stunning brass ladder on the left wall.

Clearly, the visual impact is stunning, but what are the bigger consequences of incorporating a kitchen ladder?

First, and most obvious, is functionality. One thing I love about installing a ladder is that it instantly makes high kitchen cabinets easy to use. Whether it's reaching items on top, or just having a good handle to keep your storage organized, this humble detail instantly changes the way a kitchen space is used.

Shop the look

Though many kitchen ladders need to be custom built, this doesn't have to stop you from integrating the look into your home. These easy-to-install alternatives are a great place to start trying out Anne Hathaway's style in your own home.

With the functionality of reaching the top cabinets also comes the visual benefit of stretching the kitchen vertically. This trick is especially helpful in a small kitchen. The line of the ladder draws the eye up, making the space appear larger and putting every inch of design to use.

Furthermore, I love the way a ladder adds a touch of whimsy to a modern kitchen. Though the detail is classic, it's also rare in our current age. Thus, installing a ladder offers a sense of harkening back to a different time. It recalls fairytales, towering libraries, and the European countryside.

Even though Anne Hathaway sold her apartment on the Upper West Side years ago, it's still home to me. As long as I'm coveting installing a ladder in my kitchen, I won't stop thinking of this space.