We bought the Charly small fan 2 weeks ago and are very happy with it. It looks nice, doesn't take much space and is nice and quiet.

None of these fans appear to have UL safety approval (at least, none of the spec sheets appear to call it out). Make sure that whatever you buy is safety tested, CE mark isn't good enough.

I'm a consultant for bringing EU approved products into the US and in my experience about 85% of CE-marked products that plug into the wall have at least one serious safety problem.

I was just searching for a nice mid-century mod electric fan a couple of days ago, Just love them! The Lasko looks great and $50 is reasonable.

I love the look of older fans. I would probably try to get one that looked like that but I think it's more important to make sure it's energy efficient. All the fans listed up there in the pics are so adorable! Love them.

Alyssa
coolproducts.com

These are all super cute for table fans, but if you really want to cool down a nice oscillating tower fan is the way to go. I can't believe I went so long with a fugly box fan! I tuck the tower away in the corner and it keeps the whole room cool.

Numbers 2 and 9 make me nervous. The cage is either nonexistent or the bars are spread wide enough to get a finger caught.

I too love the look of vintage fans, and with the renovation of our master bedroom came the purchase of the Restoration Hardware Allaire Desk Fan in a light aqua to match our decor.

(Seen here: http://www.oldtownhome.com/2011/5/20/My-Design-Philosophy-One-Unique-Item-in-Every-Room/index.aspx - pictured halfway down the page.)

It oscillates, keeps us (and our dog) cool at night, and we even scored it on sale. It's the perfect marriage of form and function.

My husband and I removed a really low hanging ceiling fan from our living room earlier this year. It was on the opposite side of the room from the couch, it wasn't moving enough air to be helpful air, and tall friends kept hitting their heads on the light kit. We just bought a Hunter Elite Series table fan in oil rubbed bronze for the console table behind our sofa, and love it!

I just bought a Hunter fan that looks like #8, except it is chrome with red accents. I trust Hunter. They are tested, quiet, energy efficient, and the fan rocks. It's so retro, and after seeing these fans, I think it's a 'borrowed' style.

Good old Dyson. Air Multiplier, so chic in name and style. But does it work satisfactorily?

veslabeachgirl, they have the Dyson air multipliers set up in stores like Best Buy. My husband saw one there recently and commented how cool it was, but too expensive,

@veslabeachgirl satisfactorily? hmm. it's all relative to the temperature, I guess.

If it's 80F, yes - it's satisfactory.

When it gets to 90F, hot and humid - no..not at all.

The Dyson is beautiful but it creates more of a gentle breeze rather than a full gust.

We're regretting the $300 purchase.

http://www.target.com/Hunter-Fan-Classic-Table-12/dp/B0017ZARPK

I second (third?) the recommendation for the Target Hunter fan. It's sold out online, but I've seen in it several stores and it comes in oil-rubbed bronze and silver. Very quiet and efficient.

The Dyson is also quite noisy. At least to us. Fine in a living area, not so much in a bedroom.

p.s. and although they are different, I'd certainly not call them attractive.

<sarcasm> But there's no buffeting! With a Dyson, you escape that horrible feeling of buffeting that keeps folks up at night. God I hate buffeting. </sarcasm>

I used to have a little tower fan that was an absolute workhorse. Used it for three years of college until it finally died in the heat of my senior year bedroom (no air conditioning).
I think it was this one.

I think, when it comes to fans, I'm okay with trading looks for function. I'm perfectly happy having an ugly ol' fan as long as it's a workhorse and can keep me cool. I think that's why I'm so loyal about ceiling fans.