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  1. Catering & Design
  2. Event Design & Decor

12 Festive Tabletop Ideas From DIFFA’s Holidays by Design

The shoppable installation at Bloomingdale's and the accompanying auction feature an eclectic mix of seasonal decor inspiration.

Michele Laufik
December 6, 2021

Patterned tableware from Juliska adorns Elaine Griffin's woodsy table settings.Patterned tableware from Juliska adorns Elaine Griffin's woodsy table settings.Photo: Courtesy of DIFFANEW YORK—In November, in conjunction with the annual window unveiling at Bloomingdale's 59th Street flagship store in New York, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) revealed its “Holidays by Design” tabletop display and auction. On the department store’s fourth floor, shoppers can find 12 tabletop vignettes by interior designers including Nate Berkus, Rockwell Group, Drake/Anderson, Karim Rashid, Ghislaine Viñas, Daun Curry, Stephanie Goto, Elaine Griffin, Lizzie Tisch x LTD by Robert Verdi, Hariri & Hariri Architecture, Dufner Heighes and Kim Seybert.

On display through Dec. 12, each tabletop showcases luxury products from Bloomingdale’s brands like Baccarat, Bernardaud, Juliska, L’Objet, Royal Copenhagen, Waterford and Wedgwood.

Similar to the nonprofit’s other franchises, such as Dining by Design and Picnic by Design, the inaugural Holidays by Design showcases festive one-of-a-kind tablescapes, which are up for bid on CharityBuzz through Dec. 9. Proceeds from the auction benefit DIFFA and aid in its mission to raise money and awareness for those living with and impacted by HIV/AIDS, homelessness, food scarcity and mental health issues.

"Bloomingdale’s wanted to find a unique way to give back this holiday season, and what better way than to host a charitable component in the store for their holiday Give Happy initiative,” explained Dawn Roberson, DIFFA’s executive director.

”Bloomingdale’s VP of integrated marketing and fashion direction, Kevin Harter, was familiar with DIFFA’s Dining By Design event and approached me about partnering DIFFA’s design talent with Bloomingdale’s home brands,” she said, adding that each design showcases two to three Bloomingdale’s home lines that were donated by the brands.

“By hosting the philanthropic initiative at the Bloomingdale’s 59th Street flagship we’re able to offer our shoppers a special holiday experience that gives back to an important cause and also serves as inspiration for their holiday entertaining needs,” said Kelley Carter, Bloomingdale’s home fashion director. 

As for the logistics, the designers were not allowed to permanently affix anything to the floor or hang anything from the ceiling, nor could they go over five feet in height when designing the centerpieces. 

See the holiday-inspired tablescapes below.

Festive figurines sit under cloches at Ghislaine Viñas's tablescape.
Festive figurines sit under cloches at Ghislaine Viñas's tablescape.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Preserved floral arrangements from East Olivia hover above Daun Curry's tablescape.
Preserved floral arrangements from East Olivia hover above Daun Curry's tablescape.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Drake/Anderson’s tablescape features glittery African animals resting under a sparkly tree.
Drake/Anderson’s tablescape features glittery African animals resting under a sparkly tree.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Finnish design brand Iittala's owl greet shoppers at Dufner Heighes' tablescape.
Finnish design brand Iittala's owl greet shoppers at Dufner Heighes' tablescape.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Patterned tableware from Juliska adorns Elaine Griffin's woodsy table settings.
Patterned tableware from Juliska adorns Elaine Griffin's woodsy table settings.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Hariri & Hariri's grass-lined tabletop and fruit offer a fresh take on festive.
Hariri & Hariri's grass-lined tabletop and fruit offer a fresh take on festive.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Vibrant shades of pink make the centerpieces pop in Karim Rashid's design.
Vibrant shades of pink make the centerpieces pop in Karim Rashid's design.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Kim Seybert's vignette features a white and red color palette with twinkling gold accents.
Kim Seybert's vignette features a white and red color palette with twinkling gold accents.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Whimsical porcelain pieces from Vista Alegre decorate the tabletop from LTD x Lizzie Tisch.
Whimsical porcelain pieces from Vista Alegre decorate the tabletop from LTD x Lizzie Tisch.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Rockwell Group worked with Danish brands, such as Royal Copenhagen and Georg Jensen, to create a seasonal design that is inspired by Copenhagen in the winter.
Rockwell Group worked with Danish brands, such as Royal Copenhagen and Georg Jensen, to create a seasonal design that is inspired by Copenhagen in the winter.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Architect and designer Stephanie Goto took inspiration from the bubbles of foam in Bernardaud’s classic Ecume dinnerware collection.
Architect and designer Stephanie Goto took inspiration from the bubbles of foam in Bernardaud’s classic Ecume dinnerware collection.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
Goto's tabletop features illuminated globes in concentric circles.
Goto's tabletop features illuminated globes in concentric circles.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
A towering tree serves as the focal point of Nate Berkus' minimalist design.
A towering tree serves as the focal point of Nate Berkus' minimalist design.
Photo: Courtesy of DIFFA
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