Vintage household appliances are always an interesting addition to room — they add a certain charm and style to a home, no matter the over-all aesthetic you're going for. But, what really seals the deal for decorating with these vintage items is when they're still functional!
Sleeping with a fan on, especially in the summer, is essential in many households. Turn them off during the day to save electricity, but crank those babies at night! If you're in need of a desk fan and don't want to succumb to the ugly modern day interpretations, try a vintage fan.
They're super attractive and often they're still fully functional and really easy to come across. Place one on top of a stack of books on your bedside table or if you have a collection; bunch them up on top of a bookshelf if you just have them just for aesthetics.
Vintage fans are perfect little gems that have form and function on lock down!
IMPORTANT NOTE: As some wise readers have mentioned below in the comments, there are important safety concerns to be aware of when considering actually using vintage fans, rather than just displaying them.
Shown above:
1. Smile and Wave
2. Miss Mustard Seed
3. Design*Sponge
4. Apartment Therapy
5. Graham Yelton
Images: as linked above
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Comments (17)
Beautiful, yes, but a safety note of particular interest to those with children and pets-- some of those vintage fans can easily lop off a finger. Note the much wider gratings than in modern fans, and often-sharp metal edges.
Which is why most parents keep them out of reach of children. Or only use them for display.
I got a vintage fan for free that still worked, but I have an incredibly curious cat. I wanted her to keep her paws, so I cut off the cord with wire cutters to totally prevent any possible disaster. It's now a pretty decoration only.
Fair enough, but as there was no mention of it in the article, I thought it bore mentioning. Not everyone realizes how dangerous they can be. And the article isn't talking only about display, it's talking about using them. Peace. :)
@meg286 - unless your cat is really, really smart (and has opposable thumbs), was there no way to just to keep the fan unplugged?
I really want a vintage fan for my laundry room and one for my living room, but my mom always reminds me about the potential danger to pets and (future) kids. I think I might just put one out of reach, or buy a vintage-inspired one.
A cupla more thoughts on using vintage: the plugs aren't grounded and they are energy hogs. Love 'em, but don't use 'em.
Does anyone have any recommendations in the DC area for someone who can rewire vintage fans? I've got some that I love (and they still work) but the old wiring makes me worry like crazy every time we use them.
@sigh - Miss Pixies sends all of its lamps to get rewired, so I bet they know a place for fans as well. Could try asking if any of the people there know a place.
That Distressed Walls: Inspiration post awhile back had a room with an interesting use of decorative vintage fans.
I love the look in these pictures but am concerned about how much energy they use, as other comments have mentioned.
Does anyone know where to get artificial flowers like the ones in the fifth picture? I haven't seen any at craft stores.
If I drank a shot for every cliche item in that photo, I'd be very drunk right now.
I have a great looking old Emerson fan. It works, but I can only use it occasionally because even on it's lowest setting it just makes too much noise. The not so safe safety cage just rattles too much.
so pretty, but they scared the cr@p out of me even before I had kids, and now with two little bubs underfoot there's no way I'd use one--just not worth the risk.
I inherited one from my parents that Ive always had in my room since I was a lil kid and yea. just for decoration.
It only works on one setting and I'm more worried about it catching the place on fire then energy consumption. I do love the look of it though.
Target has a great vintage-looking fan -- all metal, but safe and quiet, with a 5-year warranty. I got mine about a month ago, and I love it.
I absolutely LOVE old fans. I have two old GE's from different eras - one that looks very much like the second picture.
They are sturdy, they really move the air around, very adjustable, and I just love seeing them perched on my tables/window sills.
The only downside is I don't even entertain the notion of trying to move the one if it's on...I've already nearly broken (or worse) a finger.