Our August ceiling fan feature focuses on large, powerful fans that keep their cool in expansive spaces, but that was just one trend we spotted at June’s Dallas Market. For a glimpse of what else will be worth watching, we’ve summarized our notes from exhibitors’ showrooms in this exclusive cyber sidebar.
Emerson
- Outdoor fans that can stand up to the elements but complement indoor décor are very popular.
- Fans to watch: Midway Eco fan (highly efficient); Carrera Grande (for large spaces); Carrera Bella (for smaller spaces); Carrera Veranda (outdoor); Zurich Luminair (with LED technology); St. Croix series (pictured)
Ellington/Litex
- New universal light kits with 13W GU24 lamping had acrylic lenses and domestically handmade silk drum shades in four textures and patterns
- Fans to watch: Austonia (indoor/outdoor model with stone-textured side band and New Orleans style light kit), Antoinette (large-scale with crystal details) and Asheville (featuring brown tortoiseshell glass and smoked crystal accents, and independently dimmable uplight/downlight)
Fanimation
- Soft-contemporary/transitional look remains popular
- Now offering pre-packaged fans (that ship all in one box)
- More fans now come with touch screen or digital remote capabilities
- Increased focus in products that are Energy Star certified
- Fan to watch: The Extraordinaire
Vaxcel
- New six-speed multi-rotor fans offer quiet operation without a centralized motor
- Other introductions had dimmable compact fluorescent lamping
- In the works: Fans incorporating LEDs
Craftmade
- Seeing more chrome and polished nickel finishes versus bronze
- Fan to watch: 5th Avenue
Progress Lighting
- Trend toward larger-scale fans intended for bigger environments
- Builder customer base asking for fans without light kits, so company is developing more fans that are light kit adaptable.
- Offering more compact fluorescent lamping to meet new codes
Savoy House
- Introduced “Fan d’lier” line featuring ceiling fan inside chandelier
- Many fans designed with motor accent lighting
- Fan to watch: Muscle fans with Cyclone21 motors and a muscle-car hubcap motif
Minka Aire
- Introductions had clean lines, transitional styling and full function controls
- More Energy Star rated offerings, including a universal light kit that will fit onto any light kit adaptable fan
- Emphasizing moderate price points as a response to economic climate
- Fans to watch: New Era, Zen and Riva
Quorum
- New fans with linen glass with oil bronze finishes
- Introducing more Energy Star certified fans
- More demand for soft contemporary styling
- Seeing increased interest in decorative outdoor fans
Hunter Fan Co.
- Pre-assembled, easy installation fixtures such as Pro’s Best 5-Minute Fan – installs in five minutes or less and comes 90-percent assembled.
- Concert Breeze fan comes with a wireless sound system built into light kit
- Expanded growth in 60- to 70-inch fans
- More dark finishes
- Use of highly decorative resin castings
- Trend toward soft contemporary and transitional styles are strengthening, but ornate, traditional will always be a significant part of the market
- Fans to watch: Norway and Lugano (both soft contemporary)
Casablanca
- New fans offered contemporary styling, proportions for larger rooms and customizable options
- Fans to watch: Holliston (for large rooms), Isotope (flush mounted), Vita or Whitman
Matthews Fan Co.
- Known for rotational fans, company’s modern
- Modern rotational fans gaining popularity
- Bronze and brushed nickel finish both selling well, with chrome incoming
- Oscillating wall fans gaining popularity
- Fan to watch: Italo (larger rotational fan)
