• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Jennifer Sergent

Freelance design writer + blogger | Marketing copywriter

  • About
    • About Jennifer
    • Blog Information
  • Editorial
    • Design
    • People Profiles
    • Trends
    • Neighborhood Guides
  • Marketing
  • Blog
  • Contact

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

Before Footer

View

Jan 13

Open
The amazing thing about the #uscapitol is that we enjoy the same beauty as the generations before us. Our fashions might change, but not the glorious encaustic tile, gilded mirrors or the clover-like pendant lights in the Senate Press Gallery. Swipe to see the modern version, shot by @ronbluntphoto. 
Full post in my bio link!
View

Jan 12

Open
With the help of photographers like @adam_brockett who took this glowy halo around the #uscapitol, and my friends who know and cherish that building, here’s a love letter, blog link in bio
View

Jan 7

Open
Memories of the late-night lines to see George H.W. Bush lying in state. Thousands of peaceful mourners waiting to pass through the Rotunda of this majestic Capitol.
View

Jan 6

Open
May your passage through 2021 be delightful! Grateful to clients like @mode4architecture for sharing so much beauty 🌱💚 
📷 @studiohdp
View

Dec 12

Open
CONGRATULATIONS to Michele Lerner for her award from the Nation Association of Real Estate Editors on a @washingtonpost story about bringing the outdoors inside, which features our bathroom renovation by @aidandesign ! The judges wrote: “She finds the perfect couple to illustrate the theme of her story. They lie by a nature trail, so they wanted to add natural stone to the shower.” Great story Michele, and it was a pleasure to speak to you! 
Story linked in bio
📷 @stacyzaringoldberg
View

Dec 10

Open
So thrilled to be working with a new client, Michigan design firm @arminainteriors. I just love how luminous her work is, and her use of dramatic light fixtures. Enjoy!
View

Nov 20

Open
Welcome to DC Mayor @murielbowser's home, where designer Trystin Kier Francis of @thekiercompany painted this chest purple with gold hardware. Regal, just like the mayor, Trystin told me. I agree! Full story at the link in my bio.
View

Oct 6

Open
Is anyone else in need of some calm right now? Take me away, @m.naeve! 
(For more #kipsbaydallas escapism, link in bio 🖤)
📷 @stephen_karlisch_photo
View

Oct 2

Open
@markdsikes does it again at #kipsbaydallas with this dreamy living room, Happy Friday! 
Link to more images and virtual tour in bio
📷 @stephen_karlisch_photo
View

Oct 1

Open
I ADORE this sweet mudroom by @erinsander at #kipsbaydallas. Photos and link to virtual tour on the blog, link in bio 🖤
View

Sep 30

Open
Now on the blog: a tour of #kipsbaydallas with sumptuous images like this one of a Jackie Kennedy-inspired lady’s study by @janshowers. Link in bio! 
📷 @stephen_karlisch_photo
View

Sep 27

Open
Sunset at our @acorndeckhouse, photo by Chal Sergent
Load More...

Footer

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.

  • Architecture
  • Art/Photo
  • Designers
  • Furniture
  • Home Decor
  • Kitchen/Bath
  • Outdoors
  • Real Estate
  • Shopping
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe to my newsletter, which sends out weekly(ish) blog posts and monthly newsletters about what I’m seeing in the design industry.

Please click here if you're a

  •    

© 2021 Jennifer Sergent • All Rights Reserved