If you can find one of these, they're awesome:

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-hunter-electric-fan-10-in-zephair-very

It's called a Hunter Zephair. I think they were made in the '40s or maybe '50s, but I've never met a better fan. I found one about 30 years ago and am still using it. Around here it goes on in the spring and off in the fall.

There are ceiling fans that don't have the dangly pipe that fit tighter to the roof:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_3489-93591-00260_4294935502_4294937087?productId=3078879&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_Ceiling%2BFan_4294935502_4294937087_?rpp=15$No=45

I have these all over the house.

And if there's one thing I learned from my time in Singapore, it's that wires don't need to be routed in the wall...