Apr 8, 2024 By Melissa Gibson 3 min read

Jaimie Amati isn’t technically an interior designer but she does have several years of choosing the right furniture for your home under her belt.

She and her husband Joe purchased CJ’s Furniture in Monongahela three years ago from long-time owner, Claudia Jean.

“We’re the third family to own the store. We bought all of our furniture from Claudia, and when she was ready to retire, we bought the building,” Amati said.

The former owner helped the Amati’s learn the ropes and connected them to the same vendors she had vetted over the past three decades, keeping the same expectation of value and high-quality products customers have come to expect over the years.

They offer furniture for the living room, dining room and bedroom, and though the large pieces are popular, CJ’s also offers smaller accessories, such as lamps and coffee tables.

What sets them apart?

Amati said it’s the variety of options.

“We’re known for our upholstery. There are thousands of fabric options and if we can find the fabric you’re looking for, we can make it for you,” she said. “We’ll talk about the factors that affect the wear and tear. Do you have animals or children? It might make a difference when selecting a certain upholstery.”

Other factors might also come into play.

“It’s important to look at the depth and height of a couch. Some elderly customers, for example, might want a shorter seat so they don’t sink down into the furniture,” Amati said. “All of our pieces are custom built so we can really make anything you want.”

In today’s age, customers don’t often see the level of service offered at CJ’s.

Joe is currently taking classes in upholstery – something the couple want to add to their knowledge base. They use a company to repair upholstery damage and fix other minor issues, but the trade is slowly dying and the Amati’s want to be able to do it in-house.

In addition, it’s not everyday the owner of the furniture store you’re shopping in is willing to make a house call.

“We do in-home consultations. We take measurements and work with you to find the perfect piece,” Amati said.

She might not have formal interior design training, she does have furniture knowledge and can share that with customers who aren’t sure what will work best in their living space.

“One of my suggestions is to not buy everything at once. Oftentimes, when a customer gets the largest piece in the room, they realize they didn’t need the other pieces,” Amati said. “You can also repurpose furniture you already have.”

What’s most important to the Amati’s is the relationships formed with the community and customers who walk in their doors.

“They’ve become friends. Throughout this process, we’ve gained some great friendships and really enjoyed helping people make their homes more enjoyable,” Amati said. “Your home is where you spend most of your time and we want to help make it a place you’re excited about.”

For more information, visit https://www.cjsfurniture.com/