Get to Know the Team: Q&A

Behind every thoughtfully layered room, and every detail you see in our Shop is a team of creative, dedicated women who care deeply about how you live in your home. Our work is a true collaboration—spanning both the design studio and the retail floor—where big-picture ideas and beautifully considered details come together.

In this post, we’re inviting you behind the scenes to meet our team that makes it all happen, from our design team crafting custom interiors to the team members that you see in our retail space, styling, sourcing, and helping you select the perfect pieces for your home. You’ll get a glimpse into who we are, what inspires us, and how each plays a role in shaping the spaces, stories, and experiences we’re proud to share.

Jennifer Janeway - Founder

I started my design firm in 2020 after a pivot from my first career in technology. I'd always been casually interested in design, but dove headfirst into learning all of the intricacies and aspects of interior design, while operating out of my home office (and collecting a LOT of samples as we completed our design projects - so much that we needed proper storage!).

In 2024, I opened Jennifer Janeway Home, a design studio, showroom, and retail space in the historic neighborhood of Sewickley, right outside of Pittsburgh. While continuing the design firm, we've also invited the community into our retail space, where we've curated furnishings, decor, tabletop, and accessories. We also host in-Shop events throughout the year for a fun evening out!

As a multi-passionate entrepreneur, when I'm not at the Shop, I have a lot of activities that bring me daily joy - cooking, entertaining, gardening, and watercolors, as well as being with my two school-age boys and husband.

Q: What is your favorite part of the design process?

A: I love the exact moment when we're presenting a design concept to a client, and they say "I never thought of that!" Often, our clients come to us with a specific challenge, and I see our role as helping to craft the vision of what their home could be. Whether it's reconfiguring their kitchen to be more functional, infusing color throughout a first-floor remodel, I feel like we're doing our best work when we can bring our full creative superpowers to help them love their home more.

Q: When designing a space, what is a detail you find is important, but often overlooked?

A: Often times, people don't pay enough attention to lighting, but it's not quite as easy as popping in recessed lighting everywhere! (Not to mention that it can make your ceilings look like swiss cheese.) Instead, it's about layering in lighting that you'll use at different times of the day. Ambient lighting (eye level lighting like floor and table lamps) is often overlooked, but gives a much warmer, softer glow - especially in the evenings.

Q: Which city, era, or culture’s design aesthetic influences your personal portfolio and style the most?

A: For the past few years, I've been obsessed with British design - classic patterns, colorful hues, bold florals, layered spaces. To me, these are spaces that feel warm and welcoming to me. I had the opportunity to travel to London last year for a design conference, and loved it so much that we're going back as a family this year! The vibrancy of that city, the plurality of cultures, coupled with the classic architecture and landmarks are so inspiring to me.

Q: What is your favorite item at the shop right now?

A: We just got several new ceramics vases in - green stripey vessels, round globes covered in whimsical fluttering birds, and drippy, colorful large-scale pieces. I love building styled vignettes around these as an anchoring point!

Q: What is your favorite memory at JJH?

A: The Candy Cane Cocktail Soiree this past December (2025)! Since we've been open for over a year, it was so nice to see our repeat customers and get to mingle with them, but also to welcome new people into the Shop!

Dorothy Fleming - Associate Designer

Dorothy has been a part of the team since 2022! She has a BA in Interior Design and primarily works on the design side of the business, but you'll also see her at events and, occasionally, behind the register!

Q: What is your favorite part of the design process?

A: I really enjoy the space planning phase at the beginning. Design can be like a puzzle, and I enjoy testing my brain by working through different floor plans and configurations until I figure out the best one.

Q: When designing a space, what is a detail you find is important, but often overlooked?

A: Scale - the sizes of pieces and how they are paired together with the size of the room. It makes a difference!

Q: Which city, era, or culture’s design aesthetic influences your personal portfolio and style the most?

A: I have always been drawn to the 70s design elements of organic shapes and curves, earthy color palettes, and bold patterns. There's a relaxed feeling that this style brings to design, while still incorporating personality and charm.

Q: What is your favorite item at the shop right now?

A: The cat wine glass charms - they are so cute!

Q: What is your favorite memory at JJH?

A: May Mart last year! We met so many new people, and it was great to see the community come together.

Melissa Hendricks - Sales Associate

A lot of our Sewickley customers may know her from St. Stephen's, but Melissa joined our team just over a year ago. She has helped us tremendously with keeping the shop organized and functioning smoothly with event planning, inventory management, and sales!

Q: What do you love most about Sewickley?

A: Since I've been a part of the community for 25 years, I have to say it’s the people!

Q: What is your hosting "must-have"?

A: More than enough food for everyone, and an array of pretty glassware.

Q: What is your favorite space to style in the shop?

A:  I love to work on the sideboards and coffee table- lots of room to create great displays.

Q: What is your favorite item at the shop right now?

A: The JJH signature candle scent, Forest and Ash. It's the best-smelling candle ever - it smells like winter!

Q: What is your favorite memory at JJH?

A: Actually, it is the first day I found JJH! We needed a great home store in Sewickley, and I found it! Now I get to work here, and JJH never disappoints.

Paula Casello - Sales Associate

Paula joined our team just a few months ago, and we're all the better for it! She has over 20 years of experience in retail and is excellent at creating floral arrangements and visual displays for the shop.

Q: What do you love most about Sewickley?

A: The loyalty and devotion the residents have for this community and their businesses. I have only been at Jennifer Janeway Home for a few months, and it's been amazing to see the support she has in just one year. I am thankful and honored to be a part of this team.

Q: What is your hosting "must-have"?

A: I like organization and a pretty setting, depending on the theme, of course, and I love a beautiful floral arrangement and candles to create a cozy vibe! We carry beeswax candles, which are odorless and dripless, and they come in beautiful colors!

Q: What is your favorite space to style in the shop?

A:   I love to create floral arrangements. We carry so many beautiful vases and unique faux florals - it’s so much fun!

Q: What is your favorite item at the shop right now?

A: I have to say that my favorite items in the shop are the Pooky Lamps! I love playing with them, mixing and matching, and seeing the ambience these pieces of art bring to a space.

Q: What is your favorite memory at JJH?

A: My favorite memory so far is the Holiday Tablescaping Event. The hard work and dedication I witnessed in the team's preparation definitely paid off! I was amazed at the turnout and devotion from clients and friends, who supported and showed up to receive the knowledge and inspiration shared. We host many events, and in my short time here, the interest and support are admirable.

At the end of the day, our work is about more than beautiful spaces—it’s about the people behind them. Our team works to shape thoughtful interiors, and on the retail floor, helping you find just the right piece. We all share the same goal: creating homes that feel layered, personal, and lived in.

We’re proud of the talent, creativity, and care each member of our team brings to what we do every day. Thank you for taking the time to get to know us a little better—we can’t wait to welcome you into the studio, the shop, and to help you love your home more.