Yes, we finish each other’s sentences and often, almost eerily, have the identical thought about a design decision. No, we are not twins; we are an aunt and a niece duo and, of course, good friends who have grown up celebrating every family milestone together, often feasting on our mom’s/grandma’s gourmet Greek meals.
We challenge you to guess which of us is the aunt and which is the niece!
Andrea babb, ncidq
co-founder, PRINCIPAL designer
Andrea was born and raised in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. After graduating from Peters Township High School, she attended Ohio University where she studied Interior Architecture and Art. She received her Bachelor of Science in 2009 and moved back to Pittsburgh where she began working for a commercial construction company. After nine years of working in construction she decided to take what she had learned and apply it to her own interior design business.
Andrea is primarily responsible for space planning, drafting, and building models with AutoCAD and SketchUp and considers herself somewhat of a software nerd. When not working on design projects, she spends most of her time with her daughter and family, learning new songs on the piano, watercolor painting or trying to keep up with Dana on a run.
“I have always had a passion for the built environment -- it influences our decisions, our emotions and our memories. I am constantly challenged by the exploration and reflection required by design and am always amazed to discover the places it takes me.”
Dana Mackey
Co-Founder, PRINCIPAL Designer
Dana is a Pittsburgh native and enthusiast. She grew up in the South Hills and has remained in the area to raise her three children and to stay close to generations of her family. It has been the friendly Pittsburgh people that has continued to attract Dana and her Cleveland-born husband, Mike, to remain, but it has also been the unique and historic homes of Pittsburgh that have charmed the family and inspired Dana, in particular, to invest in revitalizing her family’s various homes throughout the years. This personal passion and experience in renovation has expanded beyond her own walls, with friends and family members requesting her ideas and opinions. After a fulfilling decade-long career in education, Dana feels as though her career shift into design has been a very natural and, of course, a welcome one.
Dana’s principal role at Babb & Mack Design Co. includes space planning and furniture layout, fixture, finish, and furnishing selections and sourcing, and staging and styling. She balances this creative side with a very physical one, eager to play any sport and blow off steam on a hilly run through Pittsburgh streets.
KATE ARACRI
SENIOR designer
Kate has a diverse background of both personal and professional experiences, but she has a particular passion for home design and renovation. With over 22 years of residing in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mt. Lebanon, she has a deep appreciation for its family-friendly atmosphere and beautiful vintage homes.
After completing her graduate studies in Psychology, Kate began a unique and rewarding professional journey. She has held various roles including Psychologist, Realtor, Nonprofit board member, and stay-at-home mom. These experiences have shaped her understanding of people and their needs related to space, beauty and function, further fueling her interest in creating functional and pleasing spaces.
As a long-time friend of Dana’s and a satisfied client of Babb and Mack Design, Kate’s serious hobby of home design and renovation has now become a fulfilling profession. Starting as the first employee of Babb and Mack Design Co., Kate transitioned from an administrative role to a design position. She works collaboratively with other designers to deliver space planning, fixture and furniture selection, and styling design services.
Kate has a unique talent in the incorporation of color and pattern through fabric to create a one-of-a-kind space. She has a deep appreciation for vintage homes and furnishings, blending timeless elements with modern design concepts. Working closely with team members, clients, and contractors, Kate strives to create unique and personalized spaces that are both functional and captivating.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Kate has a wonderful and active family, including her husband, Joe, of 25 years, a 23 year old son, and a 20 year old daughter, both of whom live on opposite coasts. She finds joy in traveling, gardening, collecting antiques, and spending time with her family. She is particularly proud of caring for Leonard, affectionately known as the fur mayor of Mt. Lebanon.
With her wealth of experience, passion for design, and commitment to her clients, Kate provides exceptional design services, transforming houses into homes that reflect the unique personalities of the families that reside within.
LAUREN FRENCH, NCIDQ
ASSOCIATE designer
Growing up in the south hills of Pittsburgh, with a love for historic homes, Lauren knew from an early age that she wanted a career in interior design. After attending Mount Lebanon High School, she went to Mercyhurst University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. Lauren then came back to Pittsburgh to start her career in the commercial design industry. During this time, she gained significant experience in many different sectors including corporate, hospitality, healthcare, and retail. She also obtained her NCIDQ certification to become a licensed interior designer. These opportunities have allowed her to gain knowledge within the design industry and offered a wide breadth of project involvement throughout all phases of the design process.
While she loved the opportunity to work on large scale commercial projects and the experiences they provided, Lauren always knew her passion was residential spaces. Lauren is passionate about design’s role in positively influencing how a person lives and interacts with the world. She believes good design has the power to create meaningful experiences and views each project as a unique opportunity for creative problem solving to provide the best possible outcome for each client. She loves to see the positive impact a successfully designed space can have on people’s lives.
LIZZY MAIDMAN
ASSOCIATE designer
Lizzy grew up in Mt. Lebanon and living in the area has offered her so much that she never found a compelling reason to leave. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at The University of Pittsburgh and entered the education field, where she worked as an elementary school teacher for 14 years. Though Lizzy found teaching to be extremely rewarding, she couldn’t ignore the fact that she spent most of her free time immersed in her hobby – interior decorating, styling and design. Through frequent requests for design help from family and friends, renovating her own homes over the years, and simply creating “imaginary” spaces, she honed her skills and found herself progressively delving deeper into the world of design.
Lizzy is enthusiastic about all types of design projects, big and small. She loves identifying a client’s personal style and attending to small details that add charm and character, with the end goal of creating a space that feels comfortable, familiar and authentic to the client. Lizzy especially enjoys when she can incorporate her love of antique furniture and timeless design elements into new spaces to evoke the feeling of a room with history. Her principal role at Babb and Mack includes fixture, finish and furnishing selections, sourcing, staging and styling (her favorite!), as well as space planning and furniture layout.
Lizzy and her husband happen to live a stone’s throw from the Babb and Mack studio, with their two school-age children, and when she isn’t busy designing, she can usually be found at a local sports field, antique shop, or hardware store. In addition to spending time with her family, Lizzy finds a great amount of joy in listening to loud music and working on DIY home projects!
ALEXANDRA HAVENER
DESIGN ADMINISTRATOR
Ali Havener grew up in upstate New York before attending college at Boston University where she earned her degree in communications. After college she served in the Americorps program before moving to Pittsburgh with her then-fiance. She spent ten years working in corporate marketing and events before taking time off to stay home with her kids. She's always loved interior design and is so excited to have the chance to combine her favorite hobby with her communications background. She lives in Mt. Lebanon with her husband, two beautiful daughters and dog, Potato.
