Stories

The graceful handmade world by Neanikon

15/02/2018

Since the first time I saw Aris’ project, I was sure that there was someone special behind Neanikon.
I bought some notebooks and we had a lovely chat regarding my order.
When few days later I got my package, when I opened it, not only it was full of the items I bought, but it was full of little stars which fall everywhere in my room: a small gesture which gave me great joy.
So I had the confirmation, Neanikon had to be a unique individual.
Well, he is.

Aris is passionate for things that are out of time, call them ‘vintage’, call them ‘old’, I would say full of grace.
Wether he is wearing the hat of Paperie or the hat of the food blogger, you can get his dedication in searching beauty.
He has definitely an eye for detail and he has an immense good taste.
Simple notebooks or postcards printed with a machine which is a 100 years old lady.
The colors, the lettering, every element will tell you that his inspirations are from the ’60 of Greece but also from French and Italian culture.
And I am not going into describing his qualities as a food blogger because his pictures and recipes stand alone.
His handmade crafts are not souvenirs, they are beautiful gifts, they have personality, they are elegant, they are rare.

I would apply the same adjectives to Aris.
We had a beautiful chat while eating this apple-withouteverythingexceptapples cake (and it was so delicious).
We are around the same age, we have dreams which became our projects and we are working hard to make them true. Aris told me that it is never to late to make dreams come true and to live our life in a way which reflects our persona. Mmmm that rings a bell 🙂
You know, it’s so encouraging when someone else has your same vision of life. You feel you are not the crazy one! Or at least, there are more crazy people like you around. Exciting!

When I entered his house I understood where the stars come from.
It was a bit like stepping into another age or, if you see the comparison, like entering Amelie’s world. What I always liked about this movie is the way Amelie adapts her personal world to the world outside (not the other way around).
Few days later our meeting, this link by The School of Life popped up on my Facebook.
It’s only 5 min, if you have time, check it out.
I was lured by the title ‘What your home says about you’.
It talks about the importance of the creation of a Home. It says that our Home helps us to remember who we are, Home it is our temple.
It has to embodies our personality. It requires objects that define our identities and it also offers us kind reminders to who we are or seek to be.

I don’t know if Aris saw this short video before me and set up his Home for me in order to be astonished.
I don’t think so.
But I know what his Home(s), both the flat and Neanikon, says about him: he mirrors the grace, the balance and the harmony you feel in his place or in his objects or tasting his delicacies.

NEANIKON
website – facebook – instagram – shop

©Nicoletta Barbata/One Quarter Greek