If you're like me, you part-love and part-hate ceiling fans. The love part of you adores open windows, breezes, and lazily watching the slow revolution of fan blades overhead on a hot summer's day. The hate part of you immensely dislikes the look of these things. I mean, let's face it—many of them are not pretty, and most rooms, unless you live in the tropics, would be better served stylewise with a pendant or chandelier.

When I moved into my place, there were ceiling fans in every room. No kidding, every room. I thought this a bit much. So I took some down. But in certain rooms I really fell for the functionality and didn't want to give up it up. If I did I'd end up hermetically sealing myself off in air-conditioned isolation for a few steamy months of the year. Not my idea of summer living.

My favorite way to deal with a ceiling fan is not to rip it down but to cover it up. A drum shade is an ideal quick fix. This is what I did in my kitchen. So, put a shade over it, and you just might be able to live with (and even love!) your ceiling fan.