There are plenty of coffered ceilings with ceiling fans. You just have to decide if you like the look. I agree that white fans look a bit tacky.

A white one....

Thanks nidnay, that helps. I liked the first two photos you posted a lot - with the broad fan leaves? If that’s what they’re called. Decorative but not trying to be something it’s not (ie. a light)

second sort-of related question - if I do a ceiling fan with no light kit, would 4 recessed lights in the corners of the room work ok? The room is 20x22

We have one ceiling fan (left - the others have been removed). I've found that they don't really help much, in terms of room comfort.

Good windows and good insulation will do more than a ceiling fan.

happyday321.....first, if you decide to do a fan, I would not do a light kit (kind of similar to the tacky look of a white ceiling fan imo).

FWIW, we didn’t install any ceiling fans in our new home (I would rather have a nice chandelier), BUT, we’re in a rental now waiting to finish up our build, and there are ceiling fans here. One of them is in a vaulted ceiling (14 feet up), and I have to say that it does help to cool thngs off for those feeling a little flash of heat now and then :)

Four cans in a 20x22 foot room seems a bit skimpy to me. I am by no means a lighting expert and the amount of cans I installed in my greatroom most “normal” people would consider completely overkill. The room is 20x20, and we have 11 cans (and that lighting doesn’t include the center chandelier :) ). Two cans are directed towards the fireplace wall so let’s not count those, so that would be 9 cans. If I remember correctly, my lighting guys recommended 6 in our greatroom. My ceilings are only 10 feet and yours are 12, so that needs to be taken into account as well.

Thank you!

Wondering what you think of these options?

the first one- I like the sort of vintage look to it, and like the brass which would coordinate with the antique gold lighting we have dining room / kitchen. But the light kit is integrated...

http://www.lightingefx.com/mobile/search_individual_result.asp?current=309997&page=1

Other option would be something very plain like this (no light kit)

http://www.lampsplus.com/sfp/62516/?cm_mmc=GOM-SH--NA--NA-_-62516&sourceid=DFGPM62516&gclid=CjwKCAiAk4XUBRB5EiwAHBLUMVHVrZq8cJa0F98q9TAFXBR3O_xAX79gkDJJpXoN0zu0xzoyXv2ThxoC0fcQAvD_BwE

Or

http://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/minka-aire-f614-fb-timeless-french-beige-54-inch-ceiling-fan-607761.htm?partid=googlePLA-DataFeed-CeilingFans-607761&kpid=607761&k_id=735p866026&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping%20_%20lighting&utm_term=&utm_content=fans%20_%20ceiling%20fans&kclickid=8798ada9-aad9-469a-8382-4cf81ca3fdd6

I greatly dislike the use of can lights ceilings other than baths and kitchens, and some halls that are narrow with 8ft ceilings. Lamps are a far better source of attractive, flattering light.

Actually, layered lighting using a combination of cans, chandeliers, sconces, lamps etc. is the way to go and makes for the most beautifully illuminated rooms.

That being said though, look at this space....no lamps, just cans in various sizes and directed appropriately. Very flattering lighting to my eye.

Moraya Bay (Naples, FL) · More Info

What does one need to "see" in a LR/FR/GR? Is one doing surgery in it? If one person does needlework, a magnifying light/mirror on a stand is preferable. If one is painting, bring in work lights. The only rooms I need such bright light in are the kitchen and the bathroom. In my sewing area, I have the magnifying light/mirror.

And I'm old and have had cataract surgery where strong light is recommended (30/70/100 3-way bulbs).

If it's a new build, for gawd's sake put in floor plugs so you can have lamps. But this is one reason I detest no walls and all the furniture floating with traffic behind it all. Awful design...

Agree about the floor plugs. We had a similar size great room in our last house with a fan (no lights) and 4 cans. The 4 cans were used for OR procedures - ie nearly never but for cleaning it did help. The fan was used rarely also - but sometimes hot spicy food on a warmish shoulder season night. 5-10 times over 8 years.

The fact is that generally a nice chandelier is more attractive than a fan. Ok not really fact, just my opinion.

The other fact is that cans allow heat and sound transmission more than other options.

Lamps (and other non overhead light) is far more flattering to people. So if you want to be attractive then you want light originating lower. If you don't, well than predominately light from above. Rooms on the other hand can be attractive lit from above.