Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS hosted its annual Dining by Design event at Chicago's Merchandise Mart November 1 to 3. With nearly 35 dining room vignettes decorated by interior designers, major brands, and all types of artists, the benefit was a playground for design inspiration. Here's a look at decorative highlights, including hanging fortunes, tiny cacti, and a wall made of pillows.
A particularly attention-grabbing booth—and one that had attendees buzzing—was Haworth's table designed by 4240 Architecture. Inspired by the concept of urban agriculture, the table had a wall aquarium and live flowers, vegetables, and greenery.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Students of the Harrington College of Design were inspired by birds' nest-weaving techniques. Using found objects such as newspapers and plastic bags, they wove patterns into the walls surrounding their table, which also held natural accents such as flowers and branches.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
In his vignette for Pagoda Red, designer Pavel Juricek set the table with blue-and-white Delft china. In lieu of traditional floral centerpieces, mossy bits of wood ran down the center of the table and illuminated trees sprouted out of one end.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
On Sarah Dippold Design's table, small tureens held earthy arrangements of mosses, berries, and succulents.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Project Interior's table was one of the most interactive. Guests grabbed a pair of large golden scissors to snip affirmative statements written on small pieces of paper from an overhead canopy. The statements included phrases such as "Act With Love" and the Matisse quotation "Creativity Takes Courage."
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Black and gold—a popular color scheme this year—dominated the Project Interiors setting.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
VOA Associates Inc. designed a booth for Steelcase. Inspired by a sculpture in Texas called Prada, Marfa, the structure looked like a mini pop-up store within the showcase and was called—naturally—Diffa, Marfa.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Inside the Diffa, Marfa structure, photos of Prada, Marfa lined the walls. On the shelves, teeny cacti were planted in mason jars with dirt and stones. Guests of the Saturday-night gala were invited to take home the plants as souvenirs.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Carnegie's table, designed by Gensler, had a nautical theme. The table was surrounded by sails and was topped with rope-tied vases holding water and live fish. From the show floor, guests peeked into the vignette through a circular window reminiscent of a ship portal.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Inspired by the concept of metamorphosis, the table Hok designed for Halcon had branches, logs, and lumber. Plates were topped with tiny twigs.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
At the table that Charles Crispin designed for Legendary Floors LLC, glass balls decked plates as an avant-garde take on fruit. The local Talisman Glass Studio was commissioned to create the decorations and completed the task in just two days.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Kaufman Segal's quirky setting for Oscar Isberian Rugs Inc. had wooden hands, roses sprouting out of teacups, and more small cacti plants.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Leopardo's table, designed by Interior Architects, had a Mad Men-era vibe. The circular glass table was topped with fashion and art books, cut-crystal decanters filled with brown liquors, and a box of cigars.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Harley Ellis Deveraux's table for HBF/Gunlocke had a camping-inspired look. The installation held candlelit lanterns, old suitcases, plaid pillows and blankets, pinecones, and baskets filled with worn cooking utensils.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Jenn-Air's table, designed by Krengel & Associates, had cook-tops built into its surface. The table also had napkins and light-up ice cubes with the brand's logo.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Inspired by textile artist Alexander Girard and a child's bedroom, Herman Miller's table designed by IA Chicago was surrounded with colorful pillows. After the event, the pillows were donated to the Boys & Girls Club.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The foresty vignette from Kadlec Architecture & Design had candles, butterflies, and a floor filled with autumn leaves and glittering pinecones.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
An origami-like chandelier hung over the CS Interiors table designed by Kaufman Segal with Jesse Chicago. The table also had centerpieces filled with tightly rolled up magazine pages and arrangements of pink and peach roses.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
At the table from Shaw Contract/Vortex Enterprises, designed by Box Studios, laptops and tablets showcasing images of food replaced traditional place settings.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Knoll/Spinnybeck Leather's vignette, designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz Interior, had the look of a city apartment. Brightly colored lounge furniture filled the space, as well as a graffiti-style painting that spelled out "Grit and Glitz."
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Reminiscent of an artist's studio, a table for CS Interiors designed by Casa Spazio with Atelier Turner had paper walls, ample brushes, and open jars of paint. Guests were encouraged to get creative and add to the background mural.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Marc Blackwell designed a table for national sponsor La Crema and filled the space with whimsical, sea-inspired touches. Glass domes covered seashells that were spray-painted gold, and small sea urchins covered porcelain soup tureens.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Designed by Jonathan Adler, Kravet Inc.'s table was surrounded by patterned walls with lantern-shape cutouts.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
Kehoe Designs' eye-catching booth had an oversize stallion statue, a curvy, mirrored bar, disco balls, and color-changing light.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
The guilty-pleasure phenomenon 50 Shades of Grey inspired Nelson's vignette for Teknion. In the monochromatic space, handcuffs served as napkin-holders.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen for BizBash
