Vintage Sleds Bring a Dash of Winter Nostalgia

Nothing conjures up winter nostalgia like an old-fashioned sled. That’s no doubt why many people break them out around the holidays. Now that these sleds are being used for decor, their blades may never touch the white stuff again — but that doesn’t mean they won’t provide hours of enjoyment.

Jeff Hume is co-owner of Vintage Winter, an online marketplace and museum of antique and vintage winter sports items, and he understands the attraction. “A lot of us remember the thrill of accelerating down a hill or piling onto a sled or a toboggan and heading down with our best friends,” he says. “Sleds appeal to us.”

Interior designer Leanne Michael of Luxe Lifestyle Design enjoys decking the halls of her clients’ homes. For the hanging arrangement seen here, she adorned a wooden sled with evergreens and a pair of skates. “Helping our clients to create beautiful, lasting memories through the wonder of holiday decorating is always a pleasure,” she says.


Lucid Interior Design set the wintery tone in an entryway with two small sleds. The cool lines and warm wood make a sculptural statement against the white walls.


This is the kind of discovery many of us dream about. “We found this old sled in the firewood pile when we bought the house,” says Janet Black of J. Tight Interiors. “Our daughter had the idea to turn it into an entry light.”


Cliff and Chris Wheeler found this antique sled in upstate New York and use it as a Christmas decoration in their Oregon home.

See their log cabin decorated for the holidays



It takes a special sled to stand on its own in this dramatic room, by Pinnacle Mountain Homes. This tall model does an admirable job and makes a great coffee table as well.


A child-size sled adds the perfect rustic touch in a home by Habitat Post & Beam.

“The material of a sled is very important to collectors and designers,” says Hume. “They are looking for a great patina on the wood, faded paint, good color combinations and old leather. For people who appreciate them, these sleds are art.”


This sled in a converted barn, by Patterson and Smith Construction, adds an artful touch to a family room. “We are seeing a lot of people using them in homes that have high ceilings,” says Hume.


At this time of year, you can find many sleds on a human level decorating doorways for the holidays. “Some of the most popular sleds are the ones that we remember best,” says Hume. “People love Flexible Flyers, sleds by Paris Manufacturing and Northland toboggans.”


People who aren’t lucky enough to find an old model in the woodpile could spend anywhere from $200 to $2,000 for one. “Condition is everything to a collector,” says Hume. “A sled in good condition or rare is generally more expensive.”

But in this vintage category, old and battered have worth too. “Many of them have what we call decorating value,” says Hume. “A lot of people love a worn sled for interior design purposes. They look cool, and people want to put them out there.”

But what matters most is the likability factor. “The older sleds are just cool,” says Hume. “I can’t imagine anyone getting excited about an old plastic disc, but these sleds are beloved.”

Your turn: Please share your stories of sleds — real or decorative!

See more ways to bring rustic style into your home

URL: Vintage Sleds Bring a Dash of Winter Nostalgia http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-25186.html