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Some designers want them to disappear. Some people think they're outdated. But ceiling-fan manufacturers are fighting the stereotypes, offering creative, elegant models that put a design spin on the room.

Today's ceiling fans integrate trendy designs and materials with elegant lighting options. Forget about the brass and imitation wood models from your 1980s childhood bedroom. Instead, check out some of today's selections, which include one-, two-, three- or more blade models. Old World designs complement a great room's decor. Concealed fans' blades circulate air from above the light, staying hidden but doing their job. Casual models use materials like imported palms to add to a room's ambience.

"The beauty of using a ceiling fan is, you can have a combination of art and function," says Tom Frampton, founder and CEO of Fanimation in Zionsville, Ind. "If the fan is not to be the central theme, then there are several good fan designs with an understated appearance that blend well and are not immediately obvious. . . . If the fan is to take on more of a decor role, then the options are plenty."

Frampton should know. He's a bit passionate about fans. He travels the world looking for old fans, and often uses their enduring designs in Fanimation's new offerings. Other fan manufacturers like Casablanca, Tommy Bahama and Emerson also contribute to the selection.

From plain to ornate

Ceiling fan designs cover a broad variety, from plain metal to elaborate shapes and ornate decoration. A funky one-blade model gives any room a contemporary air, while a five-blade white metal fan has a traditional feel. Galvanized metal finishes have a retro appeal.

Looking for something different or eye-catching? How about a fan with a vertical blade rotation, with two fans on opposite ends of the fixture circulating air around the room? Fanimation's vertical rotor fan, called the Palisade, was featured in the 1986 movie "Down and Out in Beverly Hills." And with that, the company saw a rising demand for something different for the home.

Most buyers, however, stay with the traditional models in colors and materials to suit their design preferences.

"The trend is going to a lot of soft, contemporary looks, which will fit into a modern, minimalist house as well as a more eclectic or traditional decor," says Veronique Sutcliffe, Fanimation's marketing manager. "Soft silver tones and warm bronze colors are still very popular. Dark wood blades are very popular with our silver tones. We are also seeing a lot more Old World looks - traditional, ornate designs, dark blades, darker finishes."

Focal point or in the background

When it comes to choosing a fan, buyers should decide whether they want the fan to stand out or blend in with the room. Many people prefer a fan style that matches their room, says Josh Dekker, a sales associate with Indiana Lighting.

"Generally, you do try to coordinate," Dekker says. "If you want your ceiling fan to stand out, there are better ways to do it than making it clash. Maybe you choose a bigger design, or you hang it lower. You can get a flashy fan without clashing with a room."

Not everyone wants the fan to be front and center in the room. For instance, interior designer Diane Hallquist of Diane Hallquist Interior Designs in Indianapolis prefers "invisible" fans. Most of the rooms she designs use ceiling fans for function, rather than looks. Fortunately, fan manufacturers offer a number of simple designs that match the background.

Buyers should also decide where they want to hang a fan. A flush-mounted fan may be less noticeable than one that hangs down in a room. As a rule of thumb, most fans should not hang lower than 71/2 to 8 feet from the floor, says Debbie Harrison, sales manager at Westfield Lighting in Indianapolis. If the room features a vaulted ceiling, the fan should be mounted higher for optimal airflow. Likewise, a large, open room can accommodate a large fan, while a cozy room should have a smaller model.

Light kits are often an optional component of fans. Most fans have several lighting options, from simple domes to hand-painted or etched glass.

Regardless of taste, most people should be able to find a fan that meets their needs without contributing to what is now an outdated stereotype.

"Fans used to not be stylish," Harrison says. "They would detract from the room rather than complement it. Now, the styles are so cool. They're almost like a piece of art."

Gannett News Service

Jason Montgomery, vice president of MONTCO Builders, has several unique contemporary ceiling fans in his Louisville, Ky., home. Once thought of as necessary eyesores, ceiling fans have gotten facelifts as of late, integrating trendy designs and materials with elegant lighting options.

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Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Graphics

Options for ceiling fans are nearly limitless, enabling them to blend into any decor while offering functionality.

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File photo/The Herald-Dispatch

Ceiling fans have come a long way from the fake wood and brass fans from your childhood ceilings. New elegant models can have one, two, three or more blades made from a variety of trendy materials and in varying shapes.

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