Question: How many seats should I make available for an average size living room? Thanks.
— Carrie
Answer: With endless designs, layouts and room sizes there is not one suggested rule of thumb. The criteria of seating should depend on the function of the room and the group size of your personal family and guests. However, designers recommend 48 to 100 inches of space between the couch and chairs. Adjust space depending on your family needs, but you should not have to turn sideways to walk between furniture. In an ideal setting you should be able to hold a comfortable conversation in the room, eat or play a game around a table and be able to see the television.
Question: The project I am currently working on requires me to paint my ceiling one colour and the walls another. I hate taping because I find it time consuming and I am lazy. How can I achieve a professional looking edge with less effort? — Paxton
Answer: Find yourself a straight edge tool. Hold the tool firmly onto the ceiling edge. Paint about two inches of the trim. Carefully remove the straight edge and wipe all paint off of the straight edge. Reposition the tool onto the wall and paint another two inches, being careful to wipe the straight edge each time.
Question: I have a pair of black boots that are turning my socks/stockings black. Is there anything I can treat my boots with on the inside, so my clothes no longer turn black? — Catrina
Answer: Assuming your boots are leather, your best bet is to purchase a waterproof compound, formulated specifically for leather; available as a spray or wax polish. Test on an inconspicuous area to ensure the dye stays put. Apply the product to the inside and outside of the boots and leave for a few hours, then buff with a rag.
Helpful tips
To keep brown sugar soft, I switched to Splenda brown sugar. I’ve never had this problem again and the beauty is you use only half the measurement when baking or cooking. If a recipe calls for one cup you use a half cup. I use it in my muffins, on top of hot cereals, etc. — Riley
Instead of tossing the core of Romaine lettuce into the compost bin, grow a new head of lettuce using the core. Simply place the core in a bowl of water and watch a new head of lettuce grow. Change the water every few days to reduce bacteria growth. — Hannah
When we go camping in the winter, we take several hand warmers with us. We place our hot mugs inside of clean, wool socks along with a hand warmer to keep drinks hot longer. — Luis
The best tip I ever received for making muffins, cookies and cakes is to have all ingredients at room temperature before mixing them. Doing this will make the final result airier. — Mary
The muffins I bake are very light because I swap out milk for yogurt and it gives them an extra special texture. — Phyllis
Note: Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.
Have a great suggestion or tip? Please send an email at: reena.ca. Reena Nerbas is a popular motivational presenter for large and small groups; check out her website: reena.ca.
