Making it Lovely

Tag: fans

  • 14 Ceiling Fans that Don’t Look Terrible!

    14 Ceiling Fans that Don’t Look Terrible!

    Our house does not have central air, and Chicago summers are hot and humid. I was a little concerned that we would be uncomfortable as the temperatures rose, but it hasn’t been too bad. A shady porch for enjoying a breeze helps. 10′ tall ceilings inside and transom windows above the bedroom doors help. Window A/C units help. Portable fans help, and though I’d rather choose fixtures for looks alone, ceiling fans help. There are four in the house already, and we’re planning to add at least two more.

    14 Ceiling Fans that Don't Look Terrible!

    Here’s what I’ve been looking for in a fan:

    • simple and classic, early vintage style, or industrial-inspired

    • nothing too modern or so simple that it looks cheap

    • light kit optional (depends on the room — lamps/sconces are adequate in bedrooms)

    • four or five blades

    • no gimmicks (gyro fans, palm leaves, etc.)

    • black, bronze, or brass (in another house I might prefer white, but here I don’t think the color works as well)

    • roughly 48″ across, give or take a little

    Some of these are available in several finishes, but I tried to stick to black or dark bronze for the roundup so they could be compared more readily by shape and style than by color. Many are also adaptable to house a light kit, and the down rod can often be adjusted for height.

    14 Ceiling Fans that Don't Look Terrible! | Making it Lovely

    Classic Bistro Style

    1. 52″ Harbor Breeze Classic Outdoor Ceiling Fan, Lowe’s, $80

    2. 42″ Progress Lighting Airpro Builder Ceiling Fan, Lowe’s, $111

    3. 52″ Sea Gull Lighting Quality Ceiling Fan, Lowe’s, $171

    4. 43″ Gemma Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan, Home Depot, $242

    5. 52″ Bistro Ceiling Fan, Restoration Hardware, $289

    6. 54″ Ainsworth Ceiling Fan, House of Antique Hardware, $310

    7. 52″ Heron No Light 4-Blade Ceiling Fan, Rejuvenation, $450

    8. 52″ Hunter Original Ceiling Fan, House of Antique Hardware, $463

    Industrial-Inspired

    1. 52″ Progress Lighting North Park 4-Blade Ceiling Fan, Lowe’s, $214

    2. 42″ or 52″ Lapa Ceiling Fan, Barn Light Electric, $446

    3. 42″ or 52″ Machine Age Polished Copper Ceiling Fan, Barn Light Electric, $475

    4. 52″ Industry Ceiling Fan, Restoration Hardware, $499

    5. 60″ Peregrine Industrial No Light 4-Blade Ceiling Fan, Rejuvenation, $500
      also seen in the leading image, with an LED light

    6. 52″ Earhart Ceiling Fan, Restoration Hardware, $579

    p.s. I totally should have had two matching post titles in a row.

  • New Old-Fashioned Technology

    New Old-Fashioned Technology

    I love the look of vintage technology. The ability to fix up old electronics however is not among the skills that I possess. Luckily there are plenty of new items that have the same styling as the classic old pieces. Here are four of my current favorites.

    1. Robers Revival Radio
    2. Retro Flip Clock
    3. Allaire Desk Fan
    4. Crosley Princess Phone

    Do you have any similar new/old tech pieces in your home? I have three vintage-style phones: a red one in the bedroom (from Pottery Barn), a white one in my office (by Crosley), and a wall-mounted white one in the kitchen (also by Crosley). It’s sort of surprising that I don’t have that pink one though, eh?