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High & Low: 10 Stylish Ceiling Fans

Apr 26, 2010

The fixture we love to hate: ceiling fans. No matter what you think of their looks, it's hard to argue with their benefits. They're one of the few home appliances that can actually save you money— up to 15% on heating and cooling, according to This Old House magazine. With the heat of summer ready to hit most of the country any day now, here's a High & Low round-up of stylish ceiling fans for every budget.

 

Designer Supreme Black Ceiling Fan, $108 (I)

When you're on a budget, understated is often the best option. This sleek black model won't call undue attention overhead.

 

Carmel Outdoor Ceiling Fan, $122 (G)

This indoor-outdoor option has a surprising amount of Craftsman style and a subtle lighting option for a very low price.

 

Casa Fusion Ceiling Fan in Brushed Nickel, $160 (B)

Simple and modern at a nice price.

 

Casa Vieja Escort Fan in Brushed Nickel, $180 (H)

I'd classify this one as a Style Steal! Looks a lot more expensive than it is.

 

Minka Aire New Era Energy Star Ceiling Fan, $200 (E)

Another understated option has sophisticated flair with gently curved blades and a minimal approach to hardware.

 

Minka Aire Chantal Energy Star Ceiling Fan, $200 (A)

An antiquey option for a traditional home, without the fancy price tag.

 

Hunter Beachside Ceiling Fan in New Bronze, $260 (C)

No, you don't have to buy one of those huge wicker-blade fans to get a beachy look! (Available in the Dwelement Shop, under The Look: Lakeshore Casual.)

 

Minka Aire Acero Fan, $350 (J)

The fan I'm working under right now (sans light kit)… I love its refined-industrial style. (Available in the Dwelement Shop, under The Look: Warm Modern.)

 

Hunter 1886 Limited Edition Fan, $480 (D)

An eye-catcher for an old house. I can see these lined up in a row down a huge, old kitchen with 14-foot ceilings.

 

Minka Aire Artemis Fan, $500 (F)

The fan I would buy if money were no object: This bent-ply beauty has modern style with a natural vibe.

 

 

Designer Tip:

Order your fan without a light kit. Overhead lighting is rarely a good choice, and fans look a lot nicer without them. Many fans come with a cap you can install instead of the light kit (such as the Minka fans shown above).

 

 

How to Run a Ceiling Fan to Save Energy in the Summer and Winter

You'll find contradictory information online about whether the fan should run clockwise or counter-clockwise in the different seasons. That's because some sources refer to the direction from the top of the fan, others from the bottom (as we see it). But it's easier than that, and you don't have to remember anything. Turn on your fan as fast as it will go and stand underneath it. If you feel a strong breeze and papers or lightweight items in the room are fluttering around, it's set for summer. If you feel a gentle circulation of air without a strong breeze, it's set for winter. Fans with remote controls have a "reverse direction" button on them; without a remote there's usually a simple switch on the fan casing.

TAGS: stylish ceiling fans pretty nice-looking affordable budget how to switch ceiling fan summer winter clockwise counter-clockwise which way to turn

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High & Low: Stylish Dog Beds

Mar 01, 2010

We just brought home our new puppy, Britta, so I thought I'd do a fun post on dog beds at every price point. And believe me, you can spend as much on a dog bed as you can on a people bed if you really want to. (I wouldn't recommend it.) Here, from low to high, are 9 fun, stylish—and sometimes just plain ridiculous—pooch perches. —

Diane

 

Personalized, Tough Dog Bed Covers by BowWowBeds on Etsy, $14-49

These marine-grade canvas covers have an industrial look that's as tough as it is chic. Replace a worn-out cover on an existing bed or fill with old pillows.

 

 

Cozy Donut Bed, $50

You'll love the chic color combo and modern lines. Your dog will love the comfy bolster sides.

 

 

 

Blue Blood St. Barths Dog Bed by Bobby Berk Home, $105-210

Bold and tropical with a touch of prep for good measure.

 

 

 

Crypton Doodle Dog Bed, $115-145

Crypton fabric is all but indestructible, yet it comes in beautiful prints and colors. The artsy Doodle Dog Bed is part of the William Wegman collection for Crypton.

 

 

 

Fantasy Furniture Fancy Sofa, $150.

Tired of fur on your sofa? Buy him his own!

 

 

 

Metropolitan Bed, $159-229

I love the simple structure of this bed, and the colors are luscious, too. It's a perfect choice for older dogs or those with joint problems since it has a 5-inch-thick memory foam mattress.

 

 

 

Le Roi Sofa Bed, $810

No baroque interior would be complete without one of these. Now would it, Fifi?

 

 

 

Wowo Pod Designer Dog Bed, $860

Despite the fact that I think it would be pretty irresponsible to spend this amount of money on a pet bed, I have to admit this is cool. Think of it as art.

 

 

 

Beverly Hills Luxury Dog Bed, $1,700

The name says it all, I guess. Check out the rest of the site if you dare.

 

 

Happy weekend! Need another set of eyes on a small project? Just a few ideas to get you started or some help focusing your plans? No dilemma is too small or too far away. Let me know how I can help: dk @ dwelement.com.

TAGS: dog cat pet beds furniture

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High & Low: Craft & Sewing Cabinets

Dec 09, 2009

Are you big into beading? Scrapbooking? Or maybe, like me, addicted to sewing (and the inevitable collecting of fabric that goes along with it)? Whether or not you have a dedicated space for your hobby, you need a way to organize everything and keep it both accessible but easy to hide when needed. It's a tall order. I'm still in the process of creating the perfect organizational system in my sewing room.

 

As charming as my vintage Parisian hamper is, it's a really poor way to organize fabric. I'm going to start hanging fabric pieces with pants hangers so I can see what I have. As for the rest—sewing machine, serger, notions, scissors, thread, patterns— it all fits nicely in this Sauder craft armoire I bought a couple years ago.

 

 

Sauder Harbor View Craft Armoire, $298 at furniturebuzz.com

 

For the price, this thing delivers. The quality is what you'd expect from Sauder: solid for the most part, but with a few chintzy-feeling components. The smaller shelves and backboard are made from that glorified cardboard stuff, and the casters are plastic. However, this piece has some surprisingly nice touches, such as the 270-degree hinges that allow the doors to swing almost flush with the outside of the armoire, the integrated triple electrical outlet, and the smart design of the slide-out desk.

I'm not fond of the country look of the doors or the distressed finish. I've been thinking about adding some sheet metal over the faux louvers on the doors where I can magnet some of my design ideas. But this piece changed the whole function of my sewing room, where formerly most tools and materials were stored in numerous boxes, stacked willy-nilly.

 

Here are a few more hobby storage solutions to put on your Christmas list! —Diane

 

Sonoma Craft Armoire from Bellacor, $207

Perfect for compact spaces.

 

 

Arrow Sewing Cabinet with Lift Mechanism, $330

Ideal for the occasional sewist or mender. Sewing machine lifts to free-arm height and lowers to store within the cabinet. The whole thing folds up to the size of a large bedside table.

 

 

 

The Workbox from The Original Scrapbox, $1,295

If you have a hobby that involves many, many small pieces, this is your armoire!

 

 

DIY: Convert an old TV Armoire or wardrobe

What to do with that hulking TV armoire now that you have a sleek flat-screen? Don't bother hauling it to the consignment store— no one is buying entertainment centers anymore. So give it a new life as a hobby center! Here's an inspiring photo from DIY Ideas magazine. Find more specifics on how to do it yourself here.

 

TAGS: craft sewing cabinet armoire convert tv entertainment center hobby center workspace hidden crafts scrapbooking storage

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High & Low: Comfy Dining Chairs

Dec 03, 2009

Just in time for all those holiday gatherings, here's a rundown of comfortable dining chairs for every budget. Upholstered dining chairs make the dining room a place to linger, and they also give it a more luxurious look, but you don't necessarily have to pay a luxurious price. All of my picks have solid wood frames. Click the product name to buy.

 

From low to high …

 

Compton Dining Chair in Black from Pier One Imports, $100

A designer look at a very good price in birch and bonded leather. Clearance, grab 'em before they're gone!

 

 

 

Bal Harbour Dining Chair from Pier One Imports, $160

I thought about blogging this chair as a Style Steal. It looks like something from a high-end showroom. The faux leather upholstery is easy to keep clean.

 

 

 

Gus Modern Thompson Chair from Bobby Berk Home, $235

Clearly an Eames DCW copy, but at this knockoff price it's hard to resist. Solid oak frame with vinyl upholstery.

 

 

Noho Vivian Chair in Lapis from Home Decorators Collection, $269

Throw some whimsy into a serious formal dining room with this fun print.

 

 

 

West Elm Curved Upholstered Chair, $282 each in a set of 4

The luscious color palette could inspire the whole room. (Chair on the left is leather, $320 each in a set of 4.)

 

 

 

 

Voss Dining Chair from Neiman Marcus, $369

I love the curved plywood frame and graceful curves.

 

 

 

Sasha Side Chair from Crate & Barrel, $399

This chair is refined and chic without being fancy. It has a tailored feel that can work for formal or casual settings, and it works well as a piece that bridges the gap between traditional and modern styles.

 

 

Ansel Leather Dining Chair in Nutmeg from Room & Board, $449

There's no denying the lifetime quality of furniture from Room & Board. This leather chair is a classic that will never need to be replaced, even as your style evolves.

 

 

 

Terra Cotta Curved Banquette from Neiman Marcus, $1,999

Arrange a few of these around a large, round table for a casual, modern, cozy feeling. Each banquette seats 2 or 3 people.

 

 

Can't afford those "high" examples? Print photos of pieces you like and refer to them on trips to the thrift store or while browsing craigslist. Remember, color and finish are not important— they can easily be changed. It's all about the lines and the quality of construction. —Diane

 

Need a vision for your dining room? Want help getting your favorite look on your budget? I can help. Check out my affordable way to get professional design advice: eDecor Plans. It just got even more affordable! For the month of December only, eDecor Plans are 20% off. Questions? Email me!

TAGS: dining room design chairs seating comfortable upholstered low-maintenance affordable budget

 

 

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High & Low: Office in a Cabinet

Sep 21, 2009

If you don't have the luxury of a dedicated office space, a computer can generate a whole lot of ugly in a room. A tangle of cords, clunky peripherals, plastic armor—not exactly a recipe for style. So I thought I'd round up a few of the nicer computer armoires/home-office cabinets at a range of price points. Many of these are offered in multiple finishes, and all will hide the mess of a home office in a small footprint.

 

From high to low, pick your price point. —Diane

 

Pinch Design Alba Armoire, $6,712. Inspired by mid-century plasterwork. Functional art!

 

 

Mayfair Steamer Secretary Trunk in Vintage Cigar Leather from Restoration Hardware, $3,995. Perfect for luddites who'd rather hide their technology in something old-fashioned.

 

 

 

Classic Computer Armoire by Bradshaw Kirchofer, $3,670. Fine workmanship, architectural style.

 

 

 

 

American Drew Camden Dark Home Office Cabinet, $1,417. A surprising amount of function packed into a small space.

 

 

 

**Inspired Choice** Original Vintage Danish Teak Office Cabinet. The first home office cabinets came from Scandinavia in the '60s. Here's a fine example in teak, still well suited for a laptop workstation. From Ebay seller guidesskypilot, this store item (not an auction) is going for $733.10, offers accepted.

 

 

 

Home Styles Computer Armoire from KMart, $468. Sweet cottage style. Love the built-in corkboard and file holders.

 

 

 

Sauder Harvest Mill Computer Armoire, $200. Not a bad-looking cabinet at this price. Paint the insides of the doors with chalkboard paint for added function.

 

 

 

Cyril Computer Cabinet from Ikea, $199. Just the basics at a basic price. This would look more luxe with paint or even wallpaper-covered doors. I'd paint the whole thing a dark eggplant color and fill the circle with a rusty orange. Use your imagination!

 

 

Need help finding the perfect piece of furniture? I can do that! No design dilemma is too small, even if it just involves a little shopping. Email me.

TAGS: small space room home office cabinet computer armoire laptop station compact vintage danish modern

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