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Vicolo Via Mameli: A Conversation with Nicola Pozzi and Ryan Weimer

Written by: Emily Gaynor

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Time to read 4 min

At Clove & Creek, one of our core missions is to discover those rare objects that transcend trends—items that will remain beloved in your home for years, crafted with care and grounded in tradition. We seek pieces designed with both beauty and functionality in mind. This is exactly what Nicola Pozzi and Ryan Weimer, the founders of Vicolo Via Mameli, have set out to create. A couple in both life and business, they have created a collection that serves as a love letter to traditional craftsmanship, blending timeless simplicity with modern elegance. 

The genesis of Vicolo Via Mameli began with a simple, yet profound, inspiration: a tapered candle. Ryan, who grew up in Garrison, New York, recalls a pivotal moment in his youth when his grandfather took him to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There, he was deeply influenced by the Shaker community—a group of people who valued self-sufficiency, simplicity, and craftsmanship. The Shakers’ commitment to function and form left a lasting impression on Ryan, sparking the idea for what would later become the essence of Vicolo Via Mamelia. 

Ryan and Nicola started the brand by handcrafting 100% beeswax candles, using locally sourced beeswax from Italy. “We come from pretty simple beginnings,” Ryan reflects, pointing to his roots in Garrison and Nicola’s upbringing in the wooded Alps. “We connected in that and we wanted something that represented a lifestyle that wasn't trying to be flashy, showy, too high design. Just something that felt more honest and simple. "We say this all the time, that we brought each other back to our beginnings.

"We say this all the time, that we brought each other back to our beginnings. ”

Nicola, who has lived in Milan for 15 years, brings his own deep-rooted connection to craftsmanship and function to the brand. As he describes, “It’s about stepping back, living more simply, and focusing on function, using traditional production methods.” he says. In fast-paced Milan, Nicola and Ryan saw an opportunity to create something that stands apart—products that embrace tradition and quality, designed to last a lifetime.


What sets Vicolo Via Mameli apart is their commitment to using natural elements in their products and working with skilled artisans whose care is evident in each piece. Every candle, linen, ceramic dish, and piece of homeware has a story to tell—one that speaks to the artisans' dedication and the couple’s desire to preserve the beauty of time-honored production techniques.


Ryan and Nicola’s hands-on ethos extends to every element of their brand, including the creation of their scented candles. Ryan describes their scented candles as “a real memory of nature,” each scent capturing a specific moment or feeling from their lives. The Stonehouse scent, for example, transports you to the warmth of a fireplace, while Orangerie evokes the fresh, citrusy fragrance of a humid room filled with sunlight. The Winter Spell scent conjures up the serene, peaceful feeling of a snowy birch forest, filled with the warming scent of cloves and spices. These candles don’t just smell good—they evoke memories of nature's raw beauty. Made from all natural olive wax and finished with a recycled cork top, the candles not only fragrance the home but also add a natural aesthetic to any space. 

Nicola and Ryan also carefully source their ceramics from one of Italy's oldest ceramic houses, a company that dates back to the 1700s, whose technique creates delicately thin, porcelain-like ceramics. The result is a collection of ceramics that feels light, elegant, and timeless. A standout from their collection is the split espresso cup and saucer. Inspired by an antique find, the piece, which consists of two espresso cups that sit atop one saucer, is both quirky and softhearted. “We wanted to create a moment between two people,” says Nicola—whether that be a coffee with a friend or sharing an intimate moment with a loved one.


At the heart of Vicolo Via Mameli is the belief that simplicity is the utmost form of elegance. This philosophy is reflected in every product they create, from their Trattoria collection —which brings the warmth of casual Italian dining into your home—to their linens, which are washed with natural soaps to avoid the use of harsh chemicals.

Vicolo Via Mameli Ceramics
Margrit Wenzel

The Trattoria collection is a perfect example of their thoughtful design approach. Inspired by the casual charm of classic trattorias where delicious meals are served up by Italian grandmothers, each piece features a hand-painted border in a warm, chocolate hue—elegant, seasonless, and perfect for any occasion. The subtle inconsistencies of the hand-painted edges adds character and warmth to each dish, making apparent the hand that went into each dish’s creation. The result is a collection that feels both approachable and refined, perfect for daily use but beautiful enough to elevate any meal.

“ We wanted to create a moment between two people.”


The linens, made by a family-run business in Pompeii near Naples, are another hallmark of Vicolo Via Mameli’s thoughtful design. Using Italian linen grown guaranteed by the Canapificio e Linificio Nazionale, the fiber is then processed in Italy on traditional looms to create rich textures. Whether draped over a table or folded neatly on a shelf, these linens add a sense of effortless elegance to any home.


Ultimately, Vicolo Via Mameli isn’t just a brand; it’s a call to embrace a slower, more intentional way of living, where the objects you surround yourself with are both beautiful and functional. Their collection of handcrafted housewares adds a touch of effortless elegance to any space, making it easy to create a home that feels warm, inviting, and timeless.

Vicolo Via Mameli Napkin

Whether you’re lighting a candle to set the mood for a quiet evening, enjoying a cup of espresso with a friend, or sitting down to a meal served on beautiful, hand-painted ceramics, Vicolo Via Mameli’s pieces invite you to slow down and savor life’s simple pleasures. Their dedication to craftsmanship, sustainability, and timeless design ensures that these products will be cherished for years to come.


Vicolo Via Mameli isn’t just about creating products for the home; it’s about creating moments—moments of connection, of beauty, and of simplicity. 

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