Don’t Take Away Our Ceiling Fans – We Need Them!

August 4, 2020
43 Comments
Posted in: interior design

Dear Laurel,

I love you. I love your blog but there’s something I need to get off my chest. We are building our dream home. We live in Texas. It is hot as hell here for nine months out of the year.

You my dear (said with love), are from New York. Yes, I know you guys can have some steamy days, but you don’t know steam until you’ve arrived in south Texas!

Point is; we need our ceiling fans! And some of them must have lights! But you said that you’re not big on ceiling fans and absolutely no lights!

Please, please reconsider. I hang on your every word!

Fanny Liteswich

*********

Hey Fanny, you do???

Well, I certainly wouldn’t expect anyone to. Or, even remember everything I’ve ever said.

However, I guess you missed when I’ve said that it is NOT true that I dislike ceiling fans!

And, I’ve been to Texas. I was there last October, in Austin, and slept underneath my dear friend Deborah Main’s glorious fan at her fabulous Airbnb.

You can check out Deb Main’s Airbnb listing here.

However, while I DO like ceiling fans, I don’t like ALL of them. This is the type of fan that I can’t stand. As for ceiling fans with lights, if you click on the link, you’ll the type of lights to avoid. Sometimes, a sleek light on a fan is helpful. But, in general, I’m not big on overhead lights unless it’s a hall. They are fine as ambient light. You can read about flushmount and semi-flushmount lights here.

Another point while not that big a deal, is that I’m no stranger to hot, steamy weather. My formative years were spent in a place that is insanely hot at least 4 months out of the year. Southern Indiana. Or Evansville, to be precise.

See? Southern Indiana is in the humid subtropical zone. I told you so!

Although, this summer has been one for the records in terms of heat and humidity.

I did read that there have been some deaths due to the hurricane. But, I hope that everyone else is doing okay in the aftermath of the storm we just had on the entire eastern seaboard of the US. We had some intense wind here for an hour or so, this afternoon.

Sorry for a bit of meandering. However, my point is that I totally appreciate the need to keep the air in the ol’ sweat box moving.

What I would prefer not to see, in the way of ceiling fans is this:

Oh, dear!

or this

And God forbid– This wackiness!

Okay, let’s get the boring stuff out-of-the-way. Boring, but necessary.

The things we need to consider when selecting a ceiling fan.

Location – Is it dry, damp, or wet?
The type of room or location it’s going in
The style/colors of the home/room in relation to the style needs of the fan
Ceiling height
The size of the room or area
Lighting options, if necessary for the fan and if not, placement of the other lights if in the ceiling, especially.
Airflow. This is a technical issue and to be discussed with your contractor if it’s important
Controls – wall or remote
Cleaning supplies

These good folks put together a whole check list of rules, etc.

My over-all philosophy, for most situations, is less is more. You really cannot go wrong with simple. That is… unless you want the fan to make a design statement, but please be careful.

Time to jump in for some inspo for our ceiling fans

Furlow Gatewood. You barely notice the fan. A simple, classic white fan. Stay tuned. There are a number of them coming up!

Furlow Gatewood – image by Rodney Collins

This is Bunny Williams and John Rosselli’s home in Punta Cana. Here they chose a simple fan to move the air. Please also check out this post about how to get the Bunny Williams Punta Cana Home on a budget.

Midwest Home Mag

The old-style fans moved with a belt and you can still get those at Fanimation.

(there will be some links to sources, later)

Let’s look at some ceiling fans in situ for inspiration

Dearborn Builders

Kitchen Rao Design Studios

From Matthews Fan Company.

Better Homes and Gardens

Charleston Home Mag

Dearborn Builders

Huff-Dewberry Design

Home Design Decor Mag

Some of My Favorite Ceiling Fans

Minka-Aire F565-WH, Mesa, 52″ Fan, White

Let’s begin with Furlow Gatewood’s classic white ceiling fan.

This one is a flush mount version which is perfect for an eight-foot ceiling. It’s under 70 bucks, and 75% gave it five stars.

This fan comes in different sizes, finishes, etc.

Here is a link to the 42″ version from Minka.

Hunter Fan Company also makes a similar version.

Casablanca 54000 Ainsworth 54-Inch with Five Blades, Cottage White

I like this chalky, almost Swedish-looking fan.

Hunter Fan 53039 Summer Breeze 52-Inch with Five Blades, White

Suzanne Kasler

Emerson Ceiling Fan CF755WW Designer 52-Inch Energy Star, Light Kit Adaptable, Appliance White Finish

Furlow Gatewood – photo by Rod Collins

All or most of the above traditional white ceiling fans come in other finishes. And Most also have a light kit to fit with ONE center light. :]

Minka-Aire F470-WH, Hilo White 52″ with Light

The above fan from Minka is one lovely example already fitted with a light.

Minka-Aire F524-WHF, Roto White 52″ with Wall Control

Hunter 59263 Contemporary Cassius Fresh White 52″

Matthews IR5-TB-60, Irene Textured Bronze 60″ with Remote

Minka-Aire F556-ORB, Contractor Plus Oil-Rubbed Bronze Energy Star 52″ Ceiling Fan

Fanimation Spitfire Model MA6721DF driftwood finish with light

It also comes in a version without a light. I believe that the blades are sold separately. Fanimation is a more expensive brand, but the fixtures are exquisite!

Fanimation FP7910OB Levon Ceiling Fan, Oil Rubbed Bronze Walnut Finish, 8 Blades

Emerald Coast Real Estate Photography

Belt driven fan – Room by Tyson Construction Company

Hunter 18865 60-Inch Limited Edition Ceiling Fan, Midas Black

Above and below are modeled after late 1800s two-blade ceiling fans.

Quorum 28682-86, Turner Oiled Bronze 68″ Ceiling Fan with Wall Control

Westinghouse Aerialist 52-inch two-blade-Indoor DC Motor Ceiling Fan, bronze finish

Matthews Fan Company AQ-CR-MTL Ceiling Fan, Chrome Finish with No Shades

This retro beauty from Matthews comes in different sizes and finishes.

Matthews DI-BN-MTL, Diane, Oscillating Ceiling Fan, 13″ Span, Brushed Nickel

Matthews ME-TB, Melody,13″ Wall Fan, Bronze

That is a work of art indeed! I realize that this is technically a wall fan.

Minka Aire F833-RD Red Ceiling Fan

I think that this red number would be fabulous in a playroom or a kid’s bedroom, or even a fun kitchen. I believe that it comes in other colors too, and it also comes in white.

Minka Aire F802-BN/CH One Light Brushed Nickel/chrome Ceiling Fan

One more retro dual fan, but a little more trad and with a light :] by Minka.

They are calling this transitional, which many of you know is a word I really don’t like. I see it as being more retro and think it would be cool in a kitchen.

Above is the brushed nickel Brette Indoor/Outdoor ceiling fan with LED lights. I could see this in a kitchen or a city home, perhaps.

What is this, you ask? A FANDELIER

And no, I did not make that one up. This also comes in nickel. I think it would be fab in a kitchen. If the kitchen is on the smaller side, unless it’s a galley, I would do only one. But it could also go in an entry or hall, stair landing– laundry. Lots of places.

Below is a mini widget of some other cool “fandeliers.” Some are indoor/outdoor and some are only indoor. Please click on any image for more information.

Indoor/Outdoor Fans

These are all UL rated to go in damp places like porches, patios, and sunrooms, but please, please double-check. I supposed if it can go outside, it can go inside too. Right? Some state that they are indoor/outdoor.