WE ARE MORE THAN A DESIGN STUDIO
About Us
Established in 1990, Cultural Surroundings provides modern-day design furnishings and services for library and office space as well as the home. We pride ourselves on our ability to apply creative solutions that make existing spaces more appealing and intuitively functional while optimizing budgets and other resource limitations.
Your needs define how we help you:
Turnkey space planning and design consultation
We can design, plan and install your space from start to finish, serving as your primary contact throughout the process. As manufacturer’s representatives, we offer the utmost in design, quality, and creative applications of furniture, workplace systems and textiles. We’re experienced with the administrative and political nuances of space planning and can help you navigate this with budgeting, specification writing, project presentations, and sample items. Finally, we provide furniture installation with in-house, factory-trained installers.
Additional services include library and office moving as well as space reconfiguration with existing furniture to respond to changing needs or adapt connected spaces.
Supporting your existing designer
We can support your existing designer by providing him/her with design and product line options from seating, desks and shelving to workplace systems, textiles and accessories. Once final selections are made we manage all customization activity with manufacturers, ensure specifications are adhered to, and track for on-time shipping and delivery, freeing your designer to focus on other priorities.
We invite you to explore the wide array of style options in our product lines; from contemporary and transitional to traditional. Within a broad scope of budgets and styles, we are confident in our ability to help you achieve your objectives.
Please contact us for a no-obligation discussion about your current projects, 800-327-7674. We are at your service.
Paula Wenstrom
Paula Wenstrom is founder and president of Cultural Surroundings. She leads all design and planning activities and is the primary client contact.
Wenstrom believes successful space planning equates to surroundings that are attractive, navigated naturally and intuitively organized. Her criteria for a well-designed space includes one in which its inhabitants feel comfortable; one in which the space supports feelings of well-being and high functionality.
Known in the industry for her high creativity, Wenstrom excels at taking limited or awkward spaces and making them multifunctional. Public and private libraries, offices spaces that serve individuals and teams, and active living homes are all served by her practiced approach.
“There’s no “formula” to how I design. Each project is fresh; unique to the customer, designer and building.”
The Houston Public Library, a client for almost 30 years, credits Wenstrom’s success to her ability to continually reimagine a space. Even one that she helped create a decade before. This ability, honed by long-time clients and those with fast-changing special needs, means that clients can continue working with someone they trust to perform above and beyond to ensure their satisfaction.
Keenly aware of the changing expectations of space, Wenstrom navigates by seeking out manufacturers who offer high style & functionality, value pricing and are customer-focused in their approach to customization. She continues to grow her network of suppliers and designers who share her creative value approach and welcomes opportunities to meet and collaborate with new, upcoming talent.