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Jennifer Sergent

Senior Communications Writer | Perkins Eastman

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The Wasp Waist is BACK

March 9, 2017

… In furniture, that is, thanks to Maryland metalsmith Chris Shea. His nature-inspired designs, which reference wasps, bats and insect legs in a steam-punk, gothic-industrial kinda way, are on display through April 2 at the Strathmore.

My favorite piece is the Wasp Waist table, which Chris created with fellow Marylander Sarah Nikitopoulos, a hugely talented ceramicist.

The studded “waist” totally reminds me of those unforgiving corsets of Victorian times (do a Google image search for “wasp waist” and you’ll now what I mean), and the legs reference the actual creature.

Sarah created 300 beveled, honeycomb-like ceramic disks for the top, meanwhile:

“The design of the tabletop reflects many patterns found in nature that both Chris and I draw inspiration from in our work — crystal structures, compound eyes, and the patterns on insect shells, to name just a few,” Sarah writes in her description of the project.

I first found out about Chris while I was documenting a Flemish-revival row house renovation on Embassy Row by Barnes Vanze Architects, for whom I do some marketing and social media. Chris’ metalwork adorns the new front door and side lights:

Photograph by Hoachlander Davis Photography

His architectural work is enchanting, as you can see in this railing at a home in Potomac:

And his furniture, as above, would fit right in on a Harry Potter set:

 

I had not known about Sarah until I saw the announcement about her collaboration with Chris, and I’m newly obsessed with the organic lines and soft colors of her ceramic art and tabletop designs:

 

 

Oh, man. These designs are so dreamy! And along with Chris’ metalwork, the combination of their talents takes it to a new level. Definitely get over to the Strathmore in Rockville to check them out.

Filed Under: Art/Photo, Furniture Tagged With: Chris Shea, Sarah Nikitopoulos

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Debbie says

    March 10, 2017 at 8:55 am

    Beautiful work, thanks for sharing

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#Repost @homeanddesigndc with @make_repost
・・・
A 1940's-era Colonial in Friendship Heights was renovated and expanded into a contemporary abode while preserving its original roots. Natural light, high ceilings and warm wood elements complement the interiors. The rear addition combines two- and three-story volumes with the owners' suite on the third level; the addition was clad in wood siding that comes down over the original brick façade. An open concept master bathroom adds a sleek and sophisticated vibe.⁠⁠
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Renovation Architecture: @jonathankuhnarchitect 
Contractor: Eric and Brad Bernstein / @bradbern_construction 
Landscape Design: Carlos Uman / Green Fields Landscaping⁠⁠
Text: ⁠⁠@jensergent 
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DC by Design is my passion project, a chronicle of design talents throughout the DC-Maryland-Virginia region who are doing beautiful and imaginative things in the categories below. Click here for blog information and guidelines.

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