If you've ever worked out of a cubicle or a tiny home office, you understand the value of quality air flow, especially at the height of summer. We size up a group of table and desk fans—some with a retro appeal and others more modern.
Retro-Inspired Fans
Above: The Allaire Desk Fan comes in two sizes and three finishes (brushed nickel, silver sage, black); it's on sale at Restoration Hardware starting at $95. For more desktop ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Task Desk Lamps.
Above: The retro-inspired, handmade Bianca Directional Ceiling Fan from Matthews Fan Company is a ceiling-mounted option; it's available in 10 finishes, including brushed nickel and bronze; $604.20 at Lumens. For more ceiling fan ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Ceiling Lamps.
Above: The Retro Table Top Fan by Minka Air is made of solid steel and has three speeds; $58.95 at Amazon.
Above: The Charly Little Fan from Swizz Style is $130 at Williams-Sonoma.
Above: The Deco Breeze Round Retro Table Fan is encased in a stainless steel shell and measures about 12.5 inches tall; $51 at ATG Stores.
Above: The Hunter Century 12-Inch Portable Table Fan in brushed nickel is $73.40 from Amazon.
Mod Table Fans
Above: The whisper-quiet Otto Fan from Swizz Style is made of oiled African sapele wood and high-grade steel; $199 at Amazon. In the Remodelista book, it's featured in the Remodelista 100, our collection of favorite everyday objects.
Above: Black + Blum's desktop 10.6-inch-tall Propello Fan has soft rubber blades for safety and is incredibly quiet; inquire with Black + Blum about availability.
Above: The 10-inch-tall Soleus Air Soft Blade Table Fan has safe-to-touch gray blades and is also notably quiet; $24.99 from Lumens.
Above: Designed by Naoto Fukasawa, The Fan has a protective cage that wraps from front to back and is made of steel and polypropylene resin; it's available in white or gray for $249 at Generate.
Go to our Appliance posts for more suggestions, including the Dyson Hot + Cool Heater/Fan and Gardenista's selection of Patio Heaters.
Upgrading your kitchen? See How to Choose Your Refrigerator and How to Select a Dishwasher.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on July 21, 2010.
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