Industrial Chic: Decorating With Vintage Metal Fans

Vintage metal fan.

Sometimes you just have to buy an item for no particular reason except that you like it. It’s not practical. It may not serve any purpose. You just like it. And, that’s okay. At least I tell myself that.

I tell myself that because I’m the kind of person who wants random items like a 50-75 pound ceramic elephant planter. (I’m still kicking myself for not buying that at my local Goodwill.) I’m also the kind of person that scours antique stores across Missouri and Kansas to find the perfect vintage metal fan. Just because I wanted one. Obviously I wasn’t drawn to vintage fans for their superior cooling capabilities. I like the look.

Lately I’ve seen retro electric fans in almost every home magazine I open. One will be perched on a dresser, adding a splash of vintage style to the room without looking girly, as a lot of vintage items can. Or, one will sit atop a stack of books as a makeshift bedside table. Vintage fans just add a bit of industrial charm to a room. Plus, their look can fit with all types of decorating styles. See:

Clawfoot bathtub and vintage fan.
Blue vintage fan on white table.

Yellow vintage fan.
Black vintage fan.

After much searching, I finally found a vintage electric fan that I love. But now that I have it, I’m not completely sure what to do with it. Its current home is perched on a stack of magazines atop the radiator in my living room. The mix of the vintage patina of the radiator and the vintage  fan go well together, but I want to put the fan in a more prominent location.

Vintage fan

I’ll keep you updated on what I decide to do with it. In the meantime, tell me your thoughts on vintage fans. Do you own one? Do you think they can look cute? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

Keep Up With Red Leaf Style!

Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest.

10 Comments

  1. RedCandy
    August 13, 2012

    I don’t have a vintage fan, but I understand having things that serve no purpose. I’ve recently purchased an old yellow Bakelite Astor radio….for no other reason except that I like the colour! 🙂

    1. Red Leaf Style
      August 13, 2012

      @RedCandy: Glad I’m not the only one! And that radio sounds adorable!

  2. kimberlyloc
    August 13, 2012

    I like the look of this vintage fan! I am not the best thrifter, but I am interested in getting into it more. I have a vintage wine holder….but I just recently purchased a new wine rack. Fail. Keep these fun tips coming…I am inspired! 🙂

    1. Red Leaf Style
      August 13, 2012

      Thanks Kim!! I feel like thrifting is a lot easier if you have something in mind that you’re looking for rather than just hoping to find something cool. I’ll try to keep up with the posts more!

  3. Sandra
    January 28, 2014

    Love the fan! I have three items that I have on my radar: a vintage fan, an old Brownie camera(found a couple on Craigslist and intend to get them tomorrow), and vintage luggage.

    1. Red Leaf Style
      January 29, 2014

      Thanks Sandra! I’m always on the look out for something too. How do you plan to decorate with the fan, camera and luggage?

      1. Sandra
        January 29, 2014

        I wish I knew how I will use them. Hopefully when I get them the idea will come to me. I am picking up the vintage suitcases on Saturday and I will keep some of them to work into my decor and the rest will be listed in my Etsy shop, called ChicColors.

        1. Red Leaf Style
          January 31, 2014

          Sandra,
          You’ll figure it out! Cute Etsy shop by the way. Love your furniture!

          1. Sandra
            February 1, 2014

            I got my fan yesterday for only ten bucks at a consignment shop where they were gonna throw it away and it’s perfect! How do I send you a pic of it?

          2. Red Leaf Style
            February 1, 2014

            What a great deal! Unfortunately, the comments on my blog don’t accept images. But I’m dying to see it. You can definitely post a picture on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/redleafstyle. I can’t wait to see it!

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: