A standard rod, from what I've read, is 3-5". I think I'll go with a low profile fan since I want one with a light fixture (the schoolhouse style one). It will end up partially over the bed (it's the center of the room and where the box is). I don't like fans myself, but I know a lot of other people do. We have central AC, so it won't get used much. Thanks for the input everyone.

Sabjimata -- Is it the look of that fan that you like? Minka Aire makes one simular to the one you've shown that is a bit smaller. Derned if I can't find it right now. As I live where you do, I understand about wanting a fan in the kitchen. The problem I have now with my fan is that it causes strobing because is is by the skylight -- and when I redo the kitchen I want MORE LIGHTS! and want to avoid the strobe effect. So, I was told by a local store about getting a smaller blade, but getting a fan with a motor that can run blades that are at a 22 degree pitch, versus the regular 14-15 degree pitch. I've attached a link for a Minka aire fan that has a 32 inch width, but has a 22 degree pitch, and is about the same price as the one you've shown. It has the usual ceiling fan design, but if you want air movement in the kitchen, it may fit the bill. I'm hoping that a small white one will blend in with the ceiling. And if you look in the "seen on TV" thread, you'll see that they put a simular looking fan in the foofy house with the oddly placed cooktop. Here is a link that might be useful: smaller fan with 22 degree pitch.

Actually, white/light objects seems closer, dark objects recede. Contrast brings attention to the ceiling height-sometimes it is desirable, sometimes not so much. Hence the advice on diminishing the contrast. But it depends on the room so much-and your ceilings are quite low, so tread carefully. What I would do-first of all I would't go with plain ceiling white. You need to tint the ceiling paint so it has wall color in it. Now how much-will depend on your space. Light is capricious..it does what it wants when it wants, and so is color:) My experience (my ceilings in the new place we painted recently are higher than yours but nothing amazing): I went with half a formula of the wall color on the ceilings in smaller rooms, and with 66% (I wanted 75% but the store couldn't mix it without changing the formula) in the larger room with slanted ceiling. I truly love my results, but in order to get them I had to play with the samples a bit, and dedicate a day or two to checking them out in different lights, angles, etc. I highly recommend you to do the same-mix different proportions, take different colors, and try first. You'll see what works best in your space, and what combination makes you feel best. You can make paint samples on the paper(just do two layers of paint, because that is how it's gonna be on the walls later)..this way it is also easier to move them around, checking different angles etc. Any chances you can remove heavy texture from your ceilings? That would also make a difference I think..

Hi wantoretire_did! Thank you so much for the suggestions! I've been meaning to get to HD and my local ACE for a walk-about. I'm going to go when I have a couple of hours and don't have to rush around. Just walk around with my trusty legal pad and take notes. Lighting is a big part of what I want to look at. I really appreciate your suggestion because that didn't even cross my mind! I'm pretty sure most, if not all, of the fixtures in my house are original, and at 37, they need to retire, lol! I just can't see paying some guy from CL for the rest of my life to come replace bulbs and wash the fixtures! I have electric burners, but I can see how that could easily happen with gas. I'm pretty much leaning against the ceiling fans now; cathyyg made very good points, and these seven ft. ceilings feel so low already, even at my height, that I fear the fans would just draw attention to them. We've got a good system with the fans now, and I don't think ceiling fans are as necessary as I thought they were when I first posted this. Yes! Taking lots of pictures! :-) I hope all is well with you and yours!