Photo by Sarah Jordan McCaffery
To shop MAK & CO.is a sensory experience. Each of the five senses are satisfied, beginning the moment you walk through the door. The expansive showroom, full of beautiful furnishings, décor, and gifts, immediately pleases the eye. A whiff of aromatic candles and scented diffusers fills the room. Touchable textures abound on pillows, throws, and upholstered furniture, not to mention the impressive wall of fabric. Delicious caramels are available to sample and purchase, tantalizing the taste buds. And, unexpectedly, sounds of rushing waters draw you to the back of the store. A peek out the window reveals the source of the melodic sound, the Shawsheen River. The scene is inviting and picturesque.
Whether you leave with or without a purchase, you may desire more. If so, MAK & CO.’s design events may be just what you need. On January 30, owners Lynn and John Makiej welcomed guests to MAK & CO.’s first event of 2019. Design Night gave attendees the opportunity to experience the store, purchase at a discount, enter a raffle to benefit St. Jude, and take in informative design presentations by several experts in their fields. Andover interior designer, Melissa Hammond, shared kitchen and bath trends that say goodbye to gray and hello to color. Matte black as a finish for fixtures in kitchens and baths alike surprised as a current design go-to and if you’ve ever wondered if you can mix metal finishes, Hammond confirmed that yes, you can! Today, gold, chrome, nickel, and copper can all play harmoniously together in one place.
While guests nibbled on cheese and crackers and sipped champagne, décor coach Lisa DiAntonio of Green Park Studios took center stage to share her design philosophy. She discussed the rules of wall art, explaining that “there really are no rules.” She suggested you buy what you like and thoughtfully frame and hang your pieces to help them stand out. The evening continued with representatives from Rowe Furniture, @thecobblershoponconcord and Andover Landscape Design & Construction.
The warm and welcoming environment inside MAK & CO. had guests so immersed in the design experience that the harrowing snow squall that blew through the area in record time was only noticed upon exiting when two inches of fast and fresh snow covered the ground.
Lynn and John continue to schedule events at MAK & CO. that will inform, inspire and delight. “It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Lynn of the events. “They bring in returning and new customers to the store and give them a sense of community. It’s always great when professionals, in the same field, can work together and share ideas. Customers walk away inspired and with contacts to help them achieve their goals.”
Coming up at MAK & CO. in April:
Lindsey Jordan Trunk Show
April 27, 2019, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Champagne & Mimosas