In Conversation With: Rodrigo Vairinhos
Not Vanilla: The Brutal Elegance of Rodrigo Vairinhos
Designed by rising creative talents Rodrigo Vairinhos and Ricardo Mendes from NEO Studio, this ultra-limited stoneware vase isn’t an object you place quietly in a corner, it commands the room and claws at the senses, whilst beautifully displaying floral designs.
At 38 cm tall, its glossy black curves are pierced with chrome spikes and draped with chains, a collision of traditional craft and raw subcultural energy including BDSM, punk and goth. The result is a sculptural work and world, that blurs the line between art and design, fragility and aggression, beauty and danger.
Every element is handmade, each spike hand-applied with the precision of a jeweller and the defiance of an artist intent on breaking the rules. This isn’t decorative design, it’s functional provocation. It’s a very fun vase, that speaks of rebellion, desire, and the power of objects to carry emotion.
Not Vanilla is produced in an ultra-limited series, underscoring its rarity and uncompromising individuality. Like the subcultures that inspired it, it exists outside the mainstream, an icon for collectors who want more than beauty: they want work that provokes, that unsettles, that starts a conversation.
About NEO Studio
Founded by Portuguese designer Rodrigo Vairinhos in Germany, NEO is a studio rooted in “Slow Design”—a thoughtful, sustainable approach that values timeless aesthetics over fleeting trends. Guided by creativity and durability, NEO crafts furniture, lighting, and accessories with strong character, using local non-toxic materials like wood, ceramic, and cork while supporting regional workshops and craftspeople. Each piece, including the Not Vanilla vase, reflects the studio’s belief in democratic, everyday objects that marry innovation with longevity, designed with intent, made to last, and rich with cultural resonance.
Fluxx meets Vairinhos to uncover the craft, the intent, and the unapologetic spirit behind this brutal, beautiful piece of contemporary design.
Please introduce yourself
I am Rodrigo Vairinhos, a Portuguese–German product designer based in Germany. Through my studio “neo” I explore the intersections of craft, contemporary culture, and human experience. My work often takes traditional materials such as stoneware or cork and pushes them into unexpected forms and narratives. Pieces that are functional but also provoke curiosity. I like to think of design as a language that can be both humble and bold, democratic and luxurious.
What new collections are you working on?
I am currently expanding my collection with new stoneware pieces that explore playful geometry and sensuality, in everyday objects. For 2025/26, I’m also developing a line of graphic tableware, new lighting designs, seating, accessories and much more.
What has been a continual inspiration throughout your career?
Inspiration has always come from people, their needs, their cultures, their contradictions. I am fascinated by how identity, memory, and subcultures translate into objects. Movements like Bauhaus or the Slow Design philosophy have been important touchstones. I also draw deeply from music, art, and even nightlife culture. There’s something powerful about objects that capture both timeless elegance and raw, contemporary energy.
Marcel Breuer, Red Wassily Chair
Can you tell us about a life-changing travel experience?
It’s difficult to pinpoint one single life-changing trip, because I absorb something from every place I visit. Being based in Germany, I travel frequently from my home country Portugal across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Asia. Each journey adds a layer of influence: the architecture, the materials, the food, the people. For me travel is less about one defining adventure, and more about an ongoing collection of impressions that shape the way I see and design.
What travel recommendations can you share with our readers for 2025?
I would recommend exploring Lisbon and Porto — not only for their architecture and design culture but also for the mix of tradition and contemporary energy. I believe both cities are a fascinating destination for its blend of craft, cuisine, and modern creativity. Both cities are full of contrasts and inspiration.
Porado Restaurant, Portugal
Where’s your favourite restaurant?
In Lisbon, I love Prado, which celebrates Portuguese ingredients with a modern approach. In Cologne, I often go to Ouzeria, a small Greek place full of warmth and character. For me, food is always tied to atmosphere — places where you feel both welcomed and surprised.
Ouzeria, Cologne
What’s your go-to comfort food for snacking in the studio?
Dark chocolate. It’s simple, energising, and a small indulgence that keeps me going during long studio days.
Where is your favourite cocktail bar?
I love a well-made Negroni or an Expresso Martini, timeless, balanced and slightly bitter. For venues, I enjoy bars that don’t feel pretentious, where the focus is on quality and conversation. In Cologne, Suderman Bar is a favourite, in Lisbon Cinco Lounge.
What would you love to see more of in the design world?
More authenticity and risk-taking. I’d love to see designers and brands embracing imperfection, experimentation, and cultural narratives instead of chasing trends or commercial safety. Design should challenge, not just decorate.
What would you like to see less of in the design world?
Endless repetition. Too often we see products that look the same, made quickly, without soul. I would like to see less superficiality and disposable design, and more commitment to longevity and meaning.