Now in its 20th year, Dining by Design, an annual fund-raising event hosted by Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, continues to bring together top designers, architects, brands, and local talent, providing them an opportunity to show off their cutting-edge concepts. In addition to the tabletop displays, Dining by Design also includes a silent auction, a cocktail party, and a gala dinner. Proceeds from the event go toward AIDS education and help fund treatment and care for those living with the disease.
This year, the five-day event, which takes place alongside the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, was held from March 16 to 20 at Pier 92. Similar to years past, the industry showcase presented a variety of tabletop and dining vignettes—from opulent to stark and everything in between.
Here's a look at some of the highlights.
Inspired by its Spring 2017 collection, the Ralph Lauren Home installation featured a graphic nautical theme with white lacquer and natural materials like teak and braided water hyacinth.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
A Victorian-style greenhouse design from ATGStores.com featured an English luncheon setup with an eclectic mix of springtime prints, accessories, and quirky details.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
In conjunction with Steelite International and Materials Inc., Tzelan’s design celebrated the five elements found in Chinese philosophy: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
The tabletop featured Tzelan plates that depict the movement of the sea atop hand-woven metal tablecloths made by French artisans. The mushroom lamps, which are a Tzelan and Contardi collaboration, are portable and come in nine metal finishes.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Interior Design’s “All You Need is Love” table featured bold graphics and messages in a red, white, and black color palette.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Design firm Language Dept. built a lush garden setting for Design Within Reach, complete with a moss-covered tabletop and hanging vines; mirrored walls and place settings offered a manmade contrast to the natural habitat.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
M Moser's table, which was titled Race to Zero, looked at the fight against AIDS as it progressed from a virtual death sentence to a treatable chronic illness.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
New York School of Interior Design’s red-and-white installation with vertical lighting rods was inspired by a pulsating heartbeat.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Interior design company Blue Ocean Design, along with Charleston Limewash, used recycled and organic materials, plus eco-friendly lime paint (which is made from lime and natural pigments), to achieve a contemporary beachy vibe.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Students from Parsons the New School for Design used materials found in the city’s five boroughs to construct their vignette, which was painted all white.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Crate and Barrel's dark kitchen design served gold-painted “midnight snacks.”
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Designer Douglas Little partnered with Liaigre to create The New York Times’ irreverent table, which Little described as “a dinner party gone mad.” Towering skyscrapers of champagne flutes lined the space, while a crashing chandelier took center stage.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Textile company Sunbrella collaborated with home goods company Coral & Tusk on a new line of performance fabrics. Their joint dining design was inspired by the wildlife and textiles of the Great Plains.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Coral & Tusk's table runners were embroidered on Sunbrella fabric with hand-drawn illustrations of wildflowers and animals native to the plains.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Austin-based online art marketplace Twyla highlighted the work of Brooklyn-based artist Edward Granger, who was painting on-site during the event. His geometric designs were inspired by the digital world, including Microsoft’s bouncing cube screensaver.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Rockwell Group and Ovando built their version of a modern-day potting shed, complete with cacti centerpieces, a vertical garden, and a diffuser that filled the space with a signature scent.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Brad Ford, owner of the New York Design Center’s FAIR showroom, used local artisan-made furnishings from his company to decorate the rustic dining setup.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
The luxe parlor setting created by Arteriors was designed with rich jewel tones and metallic finishes. The place settings included agate slices with name cards.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Design firm Gensler and Knoll's space called attention to Diffa’s fight against AIDS with large typography in bold purple.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Roche Bobois partnered with Gensler to create a colorful cushion-lined booth, which included projection mapping on a large drum installation.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Herman Miller's vignette featured a mix of chairs from the company’s iconic designs. A large glowing spherical lantern hung above the table.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Benjamin Moore’s table highlighted the spectrum of rich colors in the company’s recently launched Century paint collection.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
