Mouki Mou Athens opened on May 4th 2023 in Plaka, the city’s oldest quarter. Unlike its ancient and neoclassical neighbours, the building dates from the 1970s, shortly before a strict preservation order banned new construction in the area. The discreet entrance is hidden on a peaceful lane with no other commercial activity, while the main shop space overlooks the lively souvenir shops of Adrianou, the busiest street in Plaka. “A lot of our clients in London would ask where they could find a shop like ours in Athens. I didn’t have an answer, so we felt it was the right time for Mouki Mou to have a sister store,” says Maria Lemos. “Plaka, in a 1970s context, highlights the contrasting sides of Athens — ancient meets modern, energy and serenity, local and cosmopolitan. Finding a space with two entrances that capture the two sides of the city just felt right.”
The light and modern space, designed by Leda Athanasopoulou, emphasises the building’s period features. The restored terrazzo floor unifies the rooms, while the unexpected use of utilitarian materials reflects the time it was built. A large metal table was commissioned for the space by Greek ceramicist Eleni Vernadaki, whose ceramic lace panels also hang on the walls. The enclosed patio is adjacent to the oldest Ottoman building in Athens, the Benizelos Mansion. Upstairs, the cement roof has been resurfaced and transformed into a planted roof terrace by landscape architect Helli Pangalou. Right below the Acropolis, the terrace has a unique perspective across the tiled roofs of the bazaar to the surrounding concrete skyline.
“The idea is to invite people to meet the makers and introduce them to an Athenian audience. We will host events, bringing together designers working across different disciplines,” says Maria Lemos. “This is more than just a shop. We want this to be a place where things happen, and new ideas and collaborations take shape.”
Credits:
Restoration and interior design - Leda Athanasopoulou / @studiopale
Outdoor spaces - Helli Pangalou / elandscape.gr
Photography - Yannis Bournias / yannisbournias.com