Ceiling Fans: Some Spinning Sensations

htramp Regarding ceiling fans, I wanted to install a rotating / decorative fan in our bathroo, but code requires a ventilation fan. Do you know of any ventilation fans that also serve as a traditional/ more decorative fan?

nique I live in a 1950s ranch=typical 8 ft ceilings. Do you suggest just opening the windows if the room is stuffy, or are there any smaller model fans that suffice? My 12x12 rooms are small enough, wouldn't want a fan to do any more damage. If you could include an example pic, that would be awesome :) Love all of your posts, btw

maribr Lovely as usual:):):)

maison21 love no. 2, but in general, not a fan (pun intended). even less of a fan if they have a light.

never say never, though- i did recommend a simple oil-rubbed bronze retro version to a client this last summer when their house was uncomfortably stuffy, even with the air on. they declined, and said they'd rather suffer. gotta love that attitude!

Cyndi K. htramp~ look at the Broan 744 model- it's a recessed light with a disguised exhaust fan; installed (ideally over your shower) it looks simply like a recessed can light; so you can also have your ceiling fan without the ceiling being cluttered with two utilitarian fixtures in the small space.

For a large portion of the U.S. and beyond, it is highly impractical to not have ceiling fans; they are significant energy savers and life savers. You've just scratched the surface here, DecorD- you're right, there are many tasteful and varied styles now- thank goodness.

patscats2 I like ceiling fans for when I need them which is not often because I don't like the air blowing directly on me. I don't have a ceiling fan in my bedroom either. I came across something today twice that I had not seen before and that was a ceiling fan with a chandi attached to the bottom of it. I must say for me it looked totally ridiculous, but to each his own. I have a beautiful fan in my office with what I think is a lovely light fixture. Not all fans with light fixtures are very decorative as far as I'm concerned. The other fans in my house are without fixtures.

Theresa Abraham I do not like ceiling fans, but here in the south they add coolness and lower the AC bill in the summer. That said, I would be willing to part with them, I love beautiful lighting fixtures, like chandeliers, but my husband resists.

gypsy I have a 1960s ranch with 8 foot ceilings and don't care for ceiling fans either but they are somewhat of a necessity in the south. There are ceiling fans from the 1980s in my house now and they look awful but I haven't changed them because I just can't figure what to do. If anyone has ideas about what to do about this dilemma of airflow/energy cost/design, please share.

Mary Habres While I would love to use chandeliers and other decorative lighting fixtures, here in Florida ceiling fans are a must because of the heat. I made it a point to select some very attractive ceiling fans adorned with scrolly wrought iron pieces and decorative glass. Ceiling fans are in all of the bedrooms and the great room. I did do a chandelier in the dining room.

j9pers I am a hater, but live in the blistering Southwest and unfortunately, they're a necessity. I have to share what I just found, though and as soon as I save the cash, I'm getting it for my living room. It's called the "Fanaway" and it has RETRACTABLE BLADES! The only time you see the blades is when it's on, so during the winter, it's just a light fixture. You can see more at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Hunter-21425-Fanaway-Ceiling-Retractable/dp/B0038ZE7PS
(I have no connection to this company - I just think they're brilliant for coming up with this design!) Hopefully more styles will become available soon.

Karen Ho Fatt I think there are a lot of people who do not like ceiling fans because way back when we did not have a lot of choice as far as style but now we do. A few years back all I could find were the traditional style of fans- unattractive to say the least. I install fans where practicla but now thank goodness we have modern fans albeit a liitle more pricey for some reason.

Also folks remember to adjust the direction the fan blows inthe summer and winter so it works properly.

Carolyn Zone9alady Down here in humid hot Florida we have them inside and out. We have 16 ft ceilings so the fans are 12 ft above our heads.

patscats2 Those fanaways are nice, but oh boy that price. I'm sure as more companies began to make them the price will come down. Thanks for sharing that.

Dena Another resource for style savvy ceiling fans is HORCHOW.COM, an online division of Neiman Marcus. Worth a look!

danthehandyman That Island Fan you showed is actually from Fanimation, not Amazon (though it is course available for purchase there). Anyway, here it is with ALL the possible blade combinations: http://www.novalightingstore.com/Fanimation-Ceiling-Fans.asp?id=67606

maraya ITN IS AT ASIA GARDEN BARCLO AT COSTA BLANCA SPAIN

paulaj My fans are strictly for cooling-no air conditioning in those rooms or poor circulation-don't take them out! We'd die of the heat. I am disappointed that in replacing them there are few (to none) plain fans in colors (gray painted) like the ones that were produced in the 70s-80s - so I can make them disappear.

calkelley just moved to Florida and air conditioning. As the master bedroom just sucked in all the heat, the ceiling fans were a life saver. Except I found out I can't sleep for a long period with a cycling breeze going over me. As well, every room needs fans and the look of fan/light is unimaginative and monotonous.
Not a fan, but it's better than the alternative.

emory Your advice is excellent. There ARE rooms where ceiling fans are a good alternative. Wish more good designs were available.