This is a classic example of form over function. I want to be able to READ my book. They are not just there to look pretty/collect dust. It's like the scene in Black Books: "Are these real leather?" "They're real Dickens" "I have to know if they're real leather because they have to go with a sofa"

From a design aesthetic point of view I prefer ceiling fans over split system units as pictured. Ducted air cons are great as you can conceal the vents better - but ceiling fans are great in bedrooms for people that don't like sleeping with air con units on :)

@hummerd, Yes I believe you about the skylight but we have a truss roof design, which puts the room ceilings some 3m away from the actual roof and so a skylight that actually opens can't be installed in this bedroom or anwhere else in the home unles we had a cathedral ceiling, otherwise it would have been a simple procedure. Disapointed that we can't use this method but it's not to be!! A tube skylight is our only other option but we were wanting one that allows you to open and close an internal vent situated on the ceiling, as well as on the roof, our daughter has one like this but they aren't made anymore. It seems they are now only vented on the roof either permanantly or with a motor that allows you to manipulate the amount the vent is open. Price has now jumped from a standard $200 to at least $600+ and rising but none of these tube skylights have an ajustable vent in the ceiling which we would prefer. We will have to keep looking and thanks for your thoughts. Cheers, Barbara

Hi new to all this but thought I'd pass on some fan tips; Be very selective of the shape of the fan blades. They all look stylish but in my experience the flatter the blade the less air they move. We have now gone back to the original metal fans with the blades that bend at the edge, http://regencyfan.com/industrial, our fans are more stylish than the one shown (the blade shape is nice and clear in this example). Our weather in no where near as warm as yours I'd hate for you to make the same mistake we made, twice, before we learnt. Look at the fans motor size, some of the expensive and lots of the cheap ones have small motors that don't last long, unfortunately price does not dictate quality in this case so don't get caught out. My husband is a mechanic and this is one of his "things" when every we shop for electrical items (drills, fans, pumps etc.) always make sure the motor is quality and large enough to do the job and last. How may speeds. We have 8 fans in our home, one is in our extension and was purchased at a different time; It's low speed is realllllllly slow the next one is so fast it's like a cyclone and I'm not game to try the third one in case it dismounts from the ceiling. Be careful not to mount fans too close to down lights or you get a flickering effect caused by the blade passing over the light. Try not to mount the fan directly over the dining table as it will cause food to go cold. I'm with mydesignobsession when it comes to style/look I prefer visitors see my wonderful eclectic decoration then my ceiling fans! Good luck