MAK & CO Combines Retail and Interior Design

A trestle-style table topped with pampas grass creates a dramatic display of goodies, including pottery, copper cookware, and cookbooks.

MAK & CO. founders, husband-and-wife team Lynn and John Makiej.

The store’s floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Andover’s Main Street.

classic MAK & CO. grouping featuring white upholstered pieces, clean-lined furnishings, and a touch of glamorous lighting.

A store display includes mirrors made from tin ceilings, art, and Linnea candles covered with cloches.

The expansive second floor showcases several realistic room arrangements.

Food items are a go-to for hostess gifts.

In downtown Andover, Massachusetts, MAK & CO. has quickly become a destination for homeowners seeking a blend of elevated style and approachable design. Founded by Andover residents Lynn and John Makiej nearly eight years ago, the shop brought to life their dream of combining John’s business acumen with Lynn’s design style.

The store began in a historic mill building before expanding into its prominent downtown location in July 2020, a move that quickly transformed the business. “The exposure of being on Main Street was a game changer for us,” Lynn says. Expansion to two floors and a whopping 6,500 square feet soon followed.

Originally envisioned as a retail shop, MAK & CO. naturally evolved into a full-service design studio as customers connected with Lynn’s aesthetic. “It’s like a living resume,” she explains. “People walk in, feel the vibe of the store, and say, ‘I want this feeling at home.’ ”

Today, the light-filled showroom reflects that vision, offering everything from custom furnishings and rugs to home accents, candles, and cookbooks. Lynn describes the shop’s style as “casual elegance,” a mix of relaxed comfort and refined details. “We can be a little elevated, but also very approachable,” she says. “I love mixing a vintage pine piece with a velvet sofa—it’s that balance that feels right to me.”

The inventory reflects that mindset, ranging from custom rugs and lighting to potted plants and tabletop pieces. “I wanted a shop where someone could come in for a little hostess gift—or furnish their whole home,” she says.

Growth has also come through the studio’s expanding design services. With clients across the North Shore and beyond, MAK & CO. continues to evolve while maintaining a personal touch. “It’s all about creating spaces that feel warm, layered, and lived-in,” Lynn says. “That’s really what people are looking for right now.” MAK & CO., Andover, Mass., makandcohome.com