Welcome to Cloud 9!

Cloud 9 Headquarters

My Cloud 9 blog is a supplement to my Boston-based business, Cloud 9 Organize & Redesign, and to my daily blogging for Apartment Therapy, one of the web’s most visited design blogs.   This blog, like my business, reflects my passion: affordable design for real people and real spaces.

There’s a plethora of amazing home design blogs that search high and low for unique products, resources, and ideas (Apartment Therapy is one of them, if I do say so myself!)  My Cloud 9 blog is NOT trying to be one of those blogs.  In fact, this periodically updated blog is primarily a “container” for 3 categories: before and after photos of client projects; miscellaneous projects from my own home; and a one-stop shop for links to my Apartment Therapy posts that I think might be particularly relevant to the Cloud 9 crowd.

(Next time you stop by, you’ll see this same post at the top – I like to keep a welcome post for newcomers – but be sure to scroll down to see my latest entries!)

My Kitchen Bench, Made from Ikea Cabinets

I used refrigerator top cabinets to make this simple kitchen bench with storage.  Click here to see my full post on Apartment Therapy!

My CB2 Dining Table Base with Secondhand Top

I used a marble laminate top on a CB2 base.  Click here to see my full post about this table on Apartment Therapy.

Affordable, Ironic Subway Map Artwork

These colorful, inexpensive maps are for subway lines that don’t exist (e.g. Cape Cod Subway).  Click here to see my full post about these maps on Apartment Therapy.

Zimman’s Fabric in Lynn, MA

Zimman’s is THE destination in New England for a HUGE inventory of  beautiful upholstery fabric.  Click here to see my full post about Zimman’s on Apartment Therapy.

Making a Kitchen Island from Ikea Lack Tables

Click here to see my full post about this kitchen island on Apartment Therapy.

Art Class Exercises as Artwork!

I framed my brother’s simple color theory exercises to make affordable artwork! Click here to see my full post about these pieces on Apartment Therapy.

How To Organize Plastic Containers

I promise that this is a great solution for most plastic container storage.  Remember that it’s a good idea to periodically weed out your inventory!  Click here to see my full post about organizing plastic containers on Apartment Therapy.

How To Organize More Efficiently

There’s actually a simple trick to organizing more efficiently.  To see the tip and my full post about organizing more efficiently on Apartment Therapy, click here.

Using Untraditional “Fabrics” for Home Decor

I used an old skirt to cover this stool in my kitchen.  Click here to see my full post on Apartment Therapy about other untraditional fabrics that people use in their spaces.

BEFORE & AFTER: Child’s Bedroom / Playroom

My client lives in a small-ish two bedroom apartment with her husband and young son so it’s important that her child’s bedroom serve two purposes: bedroom AND playroom. But she didn’t feel like the room was functioning or feeling the way she wanted. It felt too crowded and not welcoming enough. So we set to work transforming the space, using ONLY what she already had on hand.

Child's room BEFORE

Child's room BEFORE

Child's room AFTER

Child's Room AFTER

Sampling of changes made to the space:

• First, we did a thorough sort and declutter process.  Ultimately my client was able to reduce the pieces of furniture in the space by two dressers! (One was in the closet.) Of the stuff that remained we decided to store the very rarely used things in their building storage unit.  This freed up a lot of space in her son’s room for his stuff!
• We wanted to create a more open feel in the room and to create more distinct zones (e.g. sleep zone, dressing zone, play zone).  It was also important to place the play table in closer proximity to the window and natural light to create a more inviting play space.   All of these things were accomplished by shifting the bed to the adjacent wall, moving the dresser to the end of the bed, and putting the table under the window.   The room feels SO much bigger now!
• We also added some artwork to the walls that were previously bare.  (Client had put up the picture wall over bookshelves and wanted to keep that arrangement “as is”.)  I transferred the dinosaur wall decal scene to above her son’s bed (it had been hiding behind the bedroom door) which gives him something fun to look at while he’s resting!  We also have a plan for hanging a couple more small pieces to the left of the bed, near the play table, but they are waiting to be framed.
• We reorganized the play zone and restructured what went in to the various containers that my client had on hand.  There was a stacking storage container that we co-opted for organizing art supplies.  Within the bookshelf, we categorized “like with like” so now there is a section for games, science kits, building toys, etc.  Since the order of the books was irrelevant we also arranged the books on shelves by color to create a pleasing visual element in the room.
• We moved the rocking chair to the edge of the play zone, which makes a nice spot for grown-ups to hang out!
• Rumor has it that my client’s adorable little guy is “loving” his new space and enjoying his job of keeping it organized!

How I Love The Inbox, Let Me Count the Ways

My desktop inboxes

For my “piler” clients who crave more order in their offices, I often recommend the 4 sided inbox, in contrast to the 3 sided stacked inbox, which I find people don’t use all that successfully.  This might seem obvious but the 4 sided inbox is a great way to preserve the sorting you do in the first place when you’re creating a pile.  It lets you clumsily leaf through the pile when you need to find something, preventing the piles from oozing into each other.    This is a good system for categories like: “bills to pay”, “to dos”, and “to review”.  If you’re a piler, you’re also probably someone who needs visual reminders so use the box without the lid to make sure the papers keep staring at you!  And these types of inboxes are pretty to boot, adding an element of fun design to what can sometimes be a drab space for people.

I especially advocate this type of inbox system when someone has an L-shaped desk, like mine above, or at least an ancillary surface that runs perpendicular to the desk.  This way the inboxes don’t dominate the primary desktop area.  My FAVORITE desktop inboxes are from The Container Store.  The particular style above is available in a yummy assortment of colors: red, orange, white, navy, and graphite.  They’re also on sale right now!  ($7.99/box)   Click here to check them out or here to check out the Container Store’s wider selection of inboxes.

Local Green Building Contractor

You can call Boston Green Building for your next small or large renovation.  Click here to see my full post on Apartment Therapy about Boston Green Building.

Colored Chalkboard Paint

This post reveals people’s experience with different types of Chalkboard paints to help you make your own decision. Click here to see my full post about colored chalkboard paint on Apartment Therapy.

Small Space Solutions: LL Bean Corner Desk

I work with a lot of people who only have a little bit of space.  So I’m always on the lookout for clever small space solutions.  LL Bean Home isn’t the first place I think to look for furniture solutions but I like this corner desk.   I do wish the legs didn’t flare because straight legs would  give it a more contemporary feel.  But what it lacks in sexiness it makes up for in novel functionality, color variety and a reasonable price point.  The desk, which is $349, comes in ladybug red (shown), ivory, black, garden green, and stone tan. (The hard copy catalog says it also comes in Regatta Blue, Porch Blue, and Rattan Yellow but I can’t find those online – it’s worth inquiring with LL Bean if you’re interested!) This corner desk could be a handy solution to the problem of not being able to find a good spot for your Admin Hub, which every home needs.    Check out the desk here.

Eva Rug from Ballard Designs

I love these rugs from Ballard Designs.  Someone, anyone, please buy one and show me what it looks like in your house!   Click here to see my full post about these rugs on Apartment Therapy.