In the summer of 2022, I spent six weeks subletting an apartment in Barcelona’s Eixample neighborhood. It had historic tile floors, a massive terrace, and no air conditioning. You don’t realize how tragic that last part is until you’re taking three cold showers a day and dragging a standing fan from room to room like it’s a prized possession.
That fall, in Miami, I rented an apartment with a split AC unit (I was featured in Architectural Digest in this home!). It was objectively better, and also objectively ugly. Once, while I was away, it leaked dirty water all over my sofa, which felt less like a malfunction and more like a personal betrayal.
Somewhere between those two experiences, I started thinking about cooling differently. Not just as a necessity, but as something that has to live in your space. Something you look at every day. Something that, ideally, doesn’t ruin the room.
On New Year’s Eve, going into 2025, I was at a friend’s apartment on the Lower East Side that had a ceiling fan that looked like an Alessi citrus squeezer. I spent the entire next morning, January 1st, trying to track it down. I eventually found it on Restoration Hardware, but it had been discontinued, of course.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, I was at Bar Oliver during the day for the first time, when I couldn’t help but notice the brushed metal ceiling fan spinning above us. With all the tales of AC’s past circling in my mind and a small glimmer of hope that someday soon I get to use mine, I snapped a photo and put it on my Instagram story, asking the internet if it was time for a guide to the chicest home fans. Within hours, dozens of replies. So I set off on the hunt.
Transparently, I should say: I don’t actually have a ceiling fan. I have a window AC, which, historically, has not been a category known for good design. Last year, I bought one from Windmill Air, and it’s the first time I’ve had something in that category that doesn’t feel like it’s disturbing the room. It’s quiet and non-offensive, so I’ve kept it in my window year-round (which says a lot for me). Since we’re heading into blasting-the-AC-season, they shared a code for this piece: gr8collab15 gets you $15 off (on top of the sale they’re already running!).
Which brings us back to the coolest fans. A guide that has essentially been four years in the making.
And because most of the stock imagery associated with these fans isn’t quite doing it for me, I’ve placed them within rooms I am a fan of to keep things cool.
Cirrus Ceiling Fan - The most similar fan I could find to fulfill the lemon juicer fan dreams.
Velo DC Ceiling Fan - A close second.
Belize Fan - This is technically an outdoor fan, but I love it for a beachy home or kids’ room.
Ball Ceiling Fan - I like this one in white gloss and brushed aluminum, depending on your space.
Lapa Ceiling Fan - A blend of industrial and warmth with the wood blades and nickel body.
Manika SMART Led Ceiling Fan - This is a basic, yet sleek option.
Matte Black Ceiling Fan - Another one.
Industry DC Ceiling fan - This one is really giving FAN with its galvanized steel body and mahogany blades. Not made about it.
If you liked this piece, might I recommend some other recent niche design musings?
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