As August descends across the South, sometimes the easiest reprieve is sitting directly under a ceiling fan, cold beverage in hand. But choosing one to suit your style isn’t always a breeze. So we asked five architects and designers for their favorite sources, both traditional and modern, for the porch and beyond. Pro tip: Skip the light kit.
Meredith Ellis
Southern by way of: Austin, Texas
“My favorite is the Casablanca Panama outdoor ceiling fan in white,” Ellis says. “In Texas, where you can spend the majority of the year outside, a ceiling fan is a necessity. They not only keep you cool, but ward off mosquitos. Pair it with Haint blue ceiling and you’ve got the perfect summer evening.”
Southern by way of: Harbour Island, Bahamas
“I love old-fashioned fans, but the colored modern fans by Oomph are my new favorite new discovery.”
Angie Hranowsky
Southern by way of: Charleston, South Carolina
The Roto Ceiling Fan “is one of my go-to fans. It’s simple and it almost disappears in a room, which is what I usually want from a fan.”
Martha Mulholland
Southern by way of: Lexington, Kentucky
“For a really big space I like the designs by Big Ass Fans, a company based in my hometown. This particular design comes in 12 colors.”
Terry Pylant
Southern by way of: Peachtree City, Georgia
“I’ve used Hunter original fans on projects for our firm, Historical Concepts, for twenty-five years. Because there are no odd stylistic adornments that distract from what the item actually is, the fan appears old or vintage. And the pure lines and uncluttered style lend it a certain authenticity.”
