In a world of mass, hurried production, the Danish brand Muuto stands out with its unique approach to everyday objects. Its vases are more than just vessels for flowers – they are sculptural objects that encapsulate the artistry of traditional craftsmanship and modern design thinking.
A Vase as a Work of Art
Today, together with the Muuto brand, we'll take you on a journey – first, we'll peek into Dutch designer Rachel Griffin's studio, and then into a ceramic workshop in Portugal. All this to take a closer look at the creation process of extraordinary vases: Kink, Ridge, and Silent. These items will bring something truly special to your space – beauty, character, and noble simplicity.
KINK VASE: Visit the Designer's Studio
Designer Rachel Griffin, founder of Earnest Studio in Rotterdam, shares the behind-the-scenes story of the Kink vase – a project where craftsmanship meets modernity.
Rachel moved from the USA to the Netherlands in 2007 to study at the renowned Design Academy Eindhoven. After graduating, she founded her own studio, focusing on designing furniture, lighting, and accessories.
Rachel is fascinated by modularity and the possibility of replicating elements. She likes structures that are simple yet flexible. She often combines two schools: graphic design with product design. The hallmark of her designs is their distinctive, bold silhouettes.
I named the Kink vase for its two distinct elements that create an almost human silhouette. It was born as an experiment where the digital world merges with the analog. I worked with Rhino software for 3D modeling and the traditional slip casting technique. It's a form that couldn't be achieved by any other method.
Rachel Griffin, designer
The Kink vase is made of earthenware and then glazed on the inside. It's available in several color versions – sand, light blue, lilac, and light green – with each shade giving the design a slightly different expression. The light green brings out shadows, emphasizing the curves and angles. Lilac, on the other hand, allows for a playful, unconventional effect. A new addition is a bold, deep shade of burgundy, which will introduce a touch of elegance and mystery to your arrangement.
The largest size of the Kink vase opens up additional arrangement possibilities. It's the perfect complement to the entire series, as it allows for larger, sculptural compositions and bold accents in the interior.
The Kink vase combines modern technology and traditional craftsmanship. This combination results in a unique form that is simple, graphic, and full of humor, perfectly reflecting my style.
Rachel Griffin, designer
RIDGE VASE: See How It Was Made
The Ridge vase, designed by Finnish Studio Kaksikko, is a new interpretation of a classic flower vessel. Its sculptural form makes it captivating even before flowers are added.
To delve into the artistry of its creation, join us on a journey to the Portuguese city of Alcobaça – a place where ceramic tradition meets modern design.
It is here that João works – a caster with over forty years of experience. When Studio Kaksikko created paper prototypes of the Ridge Vase, João made the so-called 'mother mold'. This incredibly precise, four-part pattern forms the basis for subsequent production molds.
Each mold can be used to create 50–70 vases. Then comes the firing. Production takes place in a small, family-owned ceramic factory, half an hour away, operating for over 40 years. It is there that liquid clay is poured into plaster molds, taking its shape for two hours. After drying and the first firing at 1000°C, the vase is almost ready.
The white vase model is glazed on the inside and coated with a watery solution on the outside, which emphasizes its texture. Finally, a second firing at 1100°C and a bath in a water solution are needed to ensure the vase's impermeability.
Each Ridge vase is the result of a multi-stage process and human hands – from the first sketch to the final dip. It's a story of an idea transforming into an object of everyday delight.
SILENT VASE: Match It to Your Style
The Silent vase, designed by Norwegian designer Andreas Engesvik, is the essence of Scandinavian minimalism – organic, fluid, simple.
The iconic Silent vase, hand-blown from glass, has returned to the brand's offer after several years of absence, in three sizes and many colors. The largest version – with a monumental, sculptural shape and a thick rim – provides stability even for large bouquets.
Which vase size to choose?
First and foremost, think about the volume of the bouquet. A minimalist arrangement with just a few poppies will look perfect in the smallest vase, which will bring out the charm of these individual accents.
Wildflowers – light but lush – look good in both smaller and medium vessels. However, for larger, more expressive bouquets, the largest version of the Silent vase will work best, stabilizing the composition and captivating with its sculptural form.
Don't be afraid to experiment with proportions. Light, scattered flowers in a small vase? Or perhaps a single branch in the largest? It is precisely these unexpected contrasts that give the composition a unique character.
How to choose a color?
Transparent glass emphasizes the structure of plants – their roots, leaves, and stems – and is the most classic version, perfectly fitting into the aesthetic of Scandinavian interiors.
For a stronger effect, opt for the orange version. It's an energetic, warm shade that will brighten the arrangement and draw attention, especially when sunlight reflects off it. On the other hand, dark green will bring peace and depth to the interior – choose it if you're aiming for a sophisticated, subdued effect.
A New Perspective on the Bouquet
These vases perfectly align with the philosophy of the Danish brand Muuto, which believes that everyday objects bring joy. The brand, whose name in Finnish means 'new perspective', combines traditional craftsmanship with modern sensibility, creating objects that are simultaneously functional, artistic, and timeless.
Each vase: the subtle Silent model, the sculptural Kink, or the artful Ridge, is an invitation to experiment with space and give it a unique character. Design under the FormAdore banner is a story about materials, process, and a fresh look at what surrounds us.
