Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Vintage Sled Rises to Occasion


Earlier this summer I came across this fabulous vintage wooden box at an estate sale. It's from the Swift company and was used to transport ham and bacon. I can't imagine how one could possibly have handled this box when it was loaded with meat, as it's incredibly heavy empty.


Did I mention I paid $18 for it? My husband thought that was too much to pay--until I found a vintage wooden Schlitz beer box about two-thirds the size of this one at a local pickers' sale for a mere $225! No, there's not a decimal point in that number. Yikes!

My Swift box has such wonderful character:  worn paint, rusted hinges and latch, dings and chips. The color seemed perfect for Christmas, so I incorporated it into my porch decorations.


We have a small covered porch that I decorate with the Yankee Clipper sled my husband had  when he was a kid, a pair of antique ice skates and some greenery. This year, I used my sweet new box as a riser and added a metal pitcher I picked up at a summer garage sale.

The elevation makes the sled more visible and gives the arrangement more heft.


Most years, I use artificial greenery to save money. But, that was before the first Trader Joe's in our city  moved in within walking distance of our house. At TJ's, I got the wreath for the top of the sled and the garland  for the box for $13. They were so pretty, I thought they were worth the splurge.


'Tis the season to experiment and I'm liking the looks of this.

Make it a great day!
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17 comments:

  1. In My Wild EdenDecember 7, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Your arrangement is beautiful! The colors are perfect- the vintage greens and reds and the honey glow of the sled. And I think the box makes it!

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  2. Shortbread and GingerDecember 7, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Wow -looks amazing!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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  3. Grandma Barb's This and ThatDecember 7, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    I really like the sled on the box with all the greenery.
    Barb

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  4. Cottage and BroomeDecember 7, 2011 at 9:33 PM

    Ann, Love everything about this, I have old sleds but have not pulled them out yet this year. How special that it was your husband's sled. Love the greenery and pitcher you used too. Laura

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  5. Magical Mystical TeacherDecember 8, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    The Yankee Clipper is simply elegant!

    SING A SONG OF SCARLET

    Sing a song of scarlet—
    Red on Christmas morn!
    Sing a song of scarlet—
    Blue is so forlorn!
    Sing a song of scarlet—
    Red for girls and boys!
    Sing a song of scarlet—
    Look at all those toys!

    © 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

    Red Leaf and Red Mary

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  6. ColoradoladyDecember 8, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    What a fantastic find! I love the color and it is perfect for your porch!! Very cute. Happy VTT!

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  7. AnonymousDecember 8, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    Oh do I love the name of your blog!!!
    So you paid $18.00 for that fabulous box! I would have been dancing in the streets. :)
    You did a beautiful Christmas arrangement for your porch. Great ideas.
    Rosemary...

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  8. LVDecember 8, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    I think you did well on the box and certainly using it in a nice way.

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  9. Antiques And TeacupsDecember 8, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    That's a fabulous vintage vignette! I love it! Wish I had a bigger porch to do something on...wouldn't be that nice though! Great job!
    Ruth

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  10. BethDecember 9, 2011 at 6:41 AM

    Ooooh! This so pretty!! Love that pitcher with the patina and the pretty berry spray inside! It's all so perfectly put together here.

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  11. MarigeneDecember 9, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    Nice old fashioned Christmas vignette! I love those antique skates, but the Swift's crate is my favorite!

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  12. LoriDecember 9, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Absolutely darling and wonderful! Of course, you had to have the box - it just wouldn't have been the same without it!

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  13. L'Heure Bleue At HomeDecember 10, 2011 at 1:04 AM

    The wooden box is fabulous! You are so lucky. I love how you've incorporated it and the sleigh into your Christmas display.

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  14. At The Picket FenceDecember 10, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Oh that looks so fantastic! Your experiment paid off big time and it is all just beautiful. :-) Thanks for sharing it at the Doors and Porches party!
    Vanessa

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  15. The Charm of HomeDecember 12, 2011 at 8:08 PM

    Very pretty! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  16. DiannDecember 14, 2011 at 11:37 AM

    This is a beautiful litte display! And that box is awesome! Thank you for sharing at TTF and I hope you are having a wonderful week!

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  17. Bonnie KJanuary 5, 2013 at 10:47 PM

    I love it. I have a sled like that, now I just need to find the box. Thanks for the great idea.

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