Comments on: The $200 Home Makeover by Daniela Garritano

By: Lianne

Lianne — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:47:10 +0000

Love your articles, Daniela. Please keep ‘em coming. Like the other posters, I really appreciate not only the great tips, but the actual products and prices. And I always really appreciate ideas for current paint colours, like the two you gave in your house staging article. More, more, more – please!

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:31:01 +0000

My wife and I really liked this article. We’re always looking for ways to improve our home, and this gave us some realistic resources that are truly easy and affordable for the budget concious and the design impaired. Also, thank you Preet for featuring Daniela…we watched the W expert challenge and we really loved her as well on the show. Looking forward to more articles from her.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:36:18 +0000

This article was so helpful and most importantly, realistic and practical. I simply purchased an area rug and a few pillows for my living room and I cannot beleive the difference. It only cost us $75. The room is more inviting, more tailored and didn’t break the bank! Finally, a designer who isn’t pretentious and gets the fact that not everyone can afford big budget makeovers. How refreshing!

By: Kiki

Kiki — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:11:54 +0000

Very useful, practical ideas here! Sometimes it’s hard to know what you can do to give a room a makeover when you have a limited budget, but these ideas are all realistic and I love how there are suggestions for products, prices and places to get them at! Thank you – so helpful :-)

By: bamboo

bamboo — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 08:54:26 +0000

pretty cool info there!!

By: Cam Birch

Cam Birch — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:54:04 +0000

@Preet- I hadn’t heard. I purchase my CF bulbs from Costco and they are pretty good at informing their customers when a recall occurs so I would suspect that it was a manufacturing issue. I do know that the EU (European Union) is pushing pretty hard at outlawing Incandecent lights and replacing them with CF lights. I don’t know if/when that will happen but Europe is usually between 5 and 30 years ahead of us on environmental issues. My expectation is with a EU push for less power consumption that CF and other more efficent bulbs will be considered safe enough for general use.

The only real annoying thing is CF doesn’t work with dimmer switches :(
Oops…forgot to say great post! Looking forward to your next one.

By: Preet

Preet — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:48:44 +0000

@Susan – thanks for the note, I’m going to try and get more articles out of Daniela – she’s got some really great advice and a fantastic sense of style too.

By: Preet

Preet — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:47:44 +0000

@Cam Birch – thanks for the input. I’ve seen a lot of press earlier this year (or late last year) on those types of bulbs being dangerous – anyone know if that was isolated to one manufacturer of if it’s been fixed? I’ll see if Daniela can offer her two cents too… cheers!

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:18:57 +0000

Great ideas and truly budget conscious (unlike some so-called “budget” tips). Thanks!

By: Cam Birch

Cam Birch — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:34:59 +0000

These are great suggestions. Most of which I have already been using to keep my home nice.

My opinion on the lighting item is exactly opposite of yours though. Quality CF lights produce the same color range of an incandecent and cost way less to operate.