While colour temperature is one factor that effects the perceived friendliness (or lack thereof) of CF lighting, colour rendering is critical in certain appliacations. I'm not surprised that you weren't happy with a CFL in the bathroom. Skin tone is often one of the most (or at least noticeably and uncomfortably) distorted when you don't have full spectrum access. In Slashdot terms, think adjusting your RGB settings on your monitor.

Sunlight is the best for colour rendering, incandescent lamps are pretty close with a CRI of 95+ while most CFLs are 80+. You can buy CFLs with better CRI but we are talking significantly more than a few more bucks to achieve incandescent-like lighting.

Lower CRI will effect the wall colour you've gotten accustomed to seeing under incandescent lighting which can seriously alter your perception and comfort in the space. Its certainly a major consideration for any situation where your ability to perceive 'natural' colour is important - such as the bathroom mirror, your dining room (funky coloured food can be very unsettling), possibly your workstation, dressing room, etc. Personally, the only place I can deal with current CFLs is in the hallway and porch light.

I don't care whether the future is that incandescents become as effecient as CFLs or CFLs achieve incandescent-like lighting. I agree something has to change.