[kstar]

I bought some "soft white" CFL's at Home Depot several months ago and have been very happy with them.

I use them in a large number of nice lamps, some of them antiques, with lamp shades - the lights I use the most. The lamp shades (mostly fabric some mica) further soften the light and it looks no different than an incandescent bulb, IMO. No flicker or buzzing at all.

I have also put CFL flood style bulbs in closets where I have cans; only small problem here is that the light takes a while to warm up and closet lights are usually on and off for short periods of time. No big deal though. Also have some CFLs on the outside - lights I keep on all night.

Everywhere else I have cans, I use halogen spots - these are the lights I use when I have guests and gatherings. Their light is very nice, but not used much.

All of the "everyday/night" lights are CFLs.

I have cut my electric bill by 50% and these CFL bulbs paid for themselves after three months - big savings since then.

Looking forward to LED "bulbs" when they get them right!

FWIW.

Best,

Kurt

edit: In lamps where the "bulb" can be seen, I use the n:vision 9w "soft" CFL that looks like a regular bulb. Everywhere else I use the same brand "soft" 14w "pig tail".