At least this Carol offers quality workmanship (Carol Vorderman's Better Homes)

Member Name: poet831

Product:	Carol Vorderman's Better Homes
Date:	28/05/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots of home improvement ideas although you'd have to modify them to suit your budget . Entertaining

Disadvantages: The crew can be very annoying at times .

Carol Vorderman and the Better Homes teams are how d-i-y should be done (although these are professionals doing the decorating ), and aren't some of the projects wonderful once they've been done? Gosh, this crew needs to take the lot from BBC's Changing Rooms and give them a few lessons on how to do the job properly.
The premise of the show is to send neighbours off for a week or so away, and in the meantime transform some part of their home, with the intention of adding the most value after the improvement. Before the show, Carol's trusty appraiser comes along and values each home, and again after the improvements have been carried out, he comes back to revalue and whoever's home has added the most to it's value, wins that week's show. Ultimately, they are all winners, because the quality of the workmanship done seems to be excellent and not only do they end up getting the decorating done but it adds value to their home as well.

My hubby always complained that they only did posh houses and I must admit, that does seem to be the case. I don't think I've seen any ex-council houses, not a one. There have been some lovely additions, one of my favourites being a patio and a mural on the outside wall that made it look Meditterranean-y. It was very mood evoking, made you feel like you were someplace other than in England. I know that family probably still love that and it was on one of the first series, I think. Sometimes they'll transform a poky kitchen into a light and airy room ... or a bedroom into a romantic paradise. Nobody is ever subjected to a trashy makeover though like they are on Changing Rooms. This Carol's team know that if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well.
Most of the ideas could be adapted by homeowners all over, though I think it would be more fun NOT to have to d-i-y! The idea of letting someone else do all the hard work and just sitting back and enjoying the results DEFINITELY appeals to me.

One of the downsides is that some of the transformations have been fairly costly, so some people would have to adapt them to suit a tighter financial situation, but there are plenty of ideas that can be utilized to brighten up dull rooms, wasted space, lighten and aerate dark areas, whatever your home style or budget.
It's an enjoyable show although the crew can be pretty irritating at times. Well worth a watch to see if you like it!

Summary: Lots of home improvement ideas although you'd have to modify them to suit your budget . Entertaining