Creative Director & Owner

When she purchased a business in the community of her childhood, Nicole achieved her dream of pursuing a professional path about which she is passionate.  Working in the interior design field gave Nicole the opportunity to capitalize on her creative side.  It also doubled as a pathway to have family support while raising children and spending quality time with lifelong friends. Nicole’s global travels, which include a residency in Geneva, Switzerland, influenced her creative style with an exposure to different cultures, art, and architecture. 

Nicole has a diverse background that includes being a published author in tissue engineering while undergoing her graduate degree at MIT, working as a management consultant for a leading Boston firm, serving as an executive in the biotech industry, founding a tech start-up, and now proudly owning a small business.  Her corporate expertise is in marketing and strategy; her creative approach to problem-solving has initiated multiple product lines and a company. Having launched The Design Studio and Trade at the Rivershops program since owning the business, Nicole is excited for what the future holds in bringing a more widespread design element to our South Coast community.

An active member in the tri-town community, Nicole volunteers in the local schools, and her most recent Board position includes the Buzzards Bay Musicfest and an advisor for Auxxit, Inc.

Principal Designer

To Cheryl, interior design is not only about creating a beautiful space - it is also about making that space warm and personal. After working solo at CAS Interior Design for over a decade, Cheryl is thrilled to be back at Surroundings and enjoying the collaboration of working as a team.

Her academic journey in Interior Design from Endicott College, coupled with further study at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), have paved the way for a career rich in creativity spanning over 30 years.  Her work has been described as timeless and inviting, with keen attention to detail. 

In addition to Surroundings, Cheryl’s extensive experience includes prestigious firms such as Leonard’s New England - MA, Arthur Rutenberg Homes - FL, and Robert Amendolara Associates - RI. Her diverse experience showcases her adept skills across various projects, including stunning primary residences, serene vacation homes, dynamic corporate headquarters, and intimate single-room designs.  From city brownstones to coastal residences, from historic estates to Florida vacation homes, Cheryl is an artist at making a space perfect.

Cheryl’s passion is deeply intertwined with the relationships she builds with her clients. Her knack for conceptualizing each client’s vision has nurtured enduring relationships, with some spanning decades and across several homes.  She values the relationships that she builds with her clients and feels strongly that she is creating surroundings for them to enjoy for years. 

Project Manger

An educator by training, Martha didn’t plan a career in interior design. With a BA from Vanderbilt University and her graduate degree from the University of Virginia, it wasn’t a linear path that brought her to the Rivershops. Her academic excellence led her to be an assistant principal for many years before she transitioned her focus to raising her three children in Mattapoisett, while juggling many community involvements and a husband with a full travel schedule.

Martha has lived in Tennessee, Virginia, and Spain during college, and she has strong family ties to Puerto Rico.  These variances in art and customs sparked her love of design, culture, and cuisine - you’re lucky if you’ve experienced her cooking. That, in addition to her Cape Cod roots, offers a fresh and relaxed perspective to Surroundings. 

Luckily for the Rivershops, Martha’s love of art and creativity brought her to our interior design business, Surroundings.  As our Project Manager, Martha draws on her educational administration background to keep our design projects running efficiently and smoothly. Her “can-do” attitude combined with her innate ability to connect with clients makes sure no detail is overlooked, and ensures Surroundings design visions are executed to perfection.  Martha is thrilled to work in a small local business with such close ties to the community she loves.