FINE FURNITURE: “Customers really like the simple clean lines of our furniture — the elegant and sleek look. We focus on both Scandinavian and contemporary furniture.” Roberto Hajek, owner of Contemporary Designs in Hopewell, is shown by a handsome solid teak dresser and queen size teak bed.

“People will come in and say ‘My parents got this piece from your grandparents, and it lasted forever. I want that furniture too, that same

quality.’”

Roberto Hajek, owner of Contemporary Designs at 33 West Broad Street in Hopewell, is very proud that he is continuing a family business. “My grandparents started the business in northern New Jersey in the 1960s, and then my parents brought it to central Jersey in the early 90s. First they were in Kingston, and then it was in the Montgomery Center.

“It was called Scandinavian Concepts then, and was mostly Scandinavian furniture,” explains Mr. Hajek. “Now, I am including both Scandinavian and contemporary pieces. I’m an independent ‘Mom and Pop’ store, which is becoming rare today. There aren’t many left anymore. It’s so many big companies today. But as a smaller shop, we can often be flexible about prices, and we have a very big price range.”

Contemporary Designs offers furniture for every room, including home offices. Featuring solid teak and natural cherry, as well as maple and walnut, it provides furniture, with sleek, sophisticated lines.

Highly Desirable

“Our furniture has an elegant, clean look. It never seems crowded or cluttered,” says Mr. Hajek. “It is both domestic and imported, including from Denmark and Canada, and it is high quality. Not many companies carry solid teak and cherry now, but these woods are very durable and highly desirable.”

Big sellers at the shop are bedroom, home office, and dining room sets, he adds. Increasing numbers of people are setting up home offices, and Mr. Hajek can provide customers with a variety of choices.

“Modular offices are very popular now. We can pretty much build the office the customers wants. It can be customized according to their space, whether it’s large or small. There are choices in teak, cherry (stained or natural), maple, and espresso, among others.”

Bookcases, desks, filing cabinets, hutches, and credenzas are all available.

Mr. Hajek points out that an eclectic look for furniture and home decor is popular today with many customers. “People like to mix and match. They don’t want everything to be the same. They may have new pieces and older pieces together, and it adds interest.

“We can really provide whatever they want. We can customize wall units with different woods and finishes. We can set up a TV stand with a hutch — there are just so many options today. It depends on the customer’s life-style.”

One-of-a-Kind

Whether it’s the intriguingly modern designs of contemporary furniture (including glass and stainless steel), a classic leather chair, incredibly comfortable upholstered sofas from Canada, cozy sofa beds, informal lounge chairs, children’s bedroom sets and desks, teak dining room table and chairs, or a handsome one-of-a-kind cherry magazine stand from Denmark, Contemporary Designs can provide it.

Mr. Hajek can also accommodate a young couple just starting out, or retirees downsizing. All ages find choices at Contemporary Designs.

“We really have a great price range,” he adds. “There is something for everyone’s pocketbook. For example, we have a bedroom set, with bed, dresser, and two night stands, for $800. Then, we have a teak bed for $1500. We have chairs at $45, $100, and $300.”

Customers are primarily from the Princeton area, but also from as far away as New York City, the Lake George area in New York, and Buffalo. “We do a big business on-line, and in addition to the furniture in our showroom, we have many brochures for people to look at,” points out Mr. Hajek. “We have great word-of-mouth, lots of referrals, and repeat customers.”

Family Business

“Also, I personally deliver the furniture. We offer delivery, set-up, and clean-up. It is wonderful to see how pleased customers are when they see the new furniture in their room. We have established a reputation, and people know they can count on us. There is continuity in our family business. You can rely on the quality of the furniture. Our products are built to order and built to last. They’re not just off the assembly line. They have outstanding style and quality.

“I also want to say that I am very proud of our family business and the opportunity to continue it. I am very fortunate and blessed to be able to do this. My parents and grandparents are so pleased.”

Contemporary Designs is open Monday through Wednesday by appointment, Thursday and Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 to 6, Sunday 12 to 5. (609) 309-5388. Website: www.contemporary—designs.com.