Table Design

At the Elle Women in Hollywood awards this month at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, long-time producer Caravents worked with Elle event director Katie Crown on the overall vision and event design. Blush tones in details from the linens to the roses created a feminime feel along with graphite mirror runners with clear cylinder vases.

Weight Watchers hosted a pop-up dinner party at Carondelet House in Los Angeles earlier this month. With fare focusing on lighter local options, all cooked by Katsuya chef Jennie Trinh, the event included organic fall produce and foliage down the center of the long, rustic table.

Luxury online retailer Mytheresa.com hosted an intimate dinner in Los Angeles in June. With the dramatic Lautner-designed Goldstein residence as the backdrop, guests dined on a meal prepared by Kris Morningstar at a table clothed simply in white and lit by a row of taper candles.

Monochrome marigolds and table numbers in champagne bottles sat atop rustic tables at the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, designed by BrownHot Events, in Los Angeles earlier this month.

The Hammer Museum in Los Angeles hosts its annual "Gala in the Garden" each year with tightly curated decor. In 2010, the look included tabletops clad in green linen napkins and white pillar candles for an earthy, fuss-free air.

A group of 300 artists and art patrons came to fete the Santa Monica Museum of Art’s 25th anniversary at the museum's second annual Precognito gala dinner in Los Angeles in 2012. There, white paper tablecloths had table numbers painted directly onto them for a streamlined look.

The American Ballet Theatre held its annual gala in Los Angeles at the Jeanne and Anthony Pritzker estate in Beverly Hills. With the home’s architecture and sweeping views as a backdrop, about 250 guests dined at wooden-topped tables with white linens and blue and lavender floral arrangements.

Diffa's Dining by Design event is typically the place to spot abundant, ornate tabletops. At the New York event in 2012, a few more spare looks also made dramatic impacts: Herman Miller's table had a vintage 1950s look, with twine tying place cards to wooden tops.

At Diffa Dining by Design's New York iteration in 2013, Kenneth Cobonpue placed plates and cups in organic shapes on a spare wood table. The minimalist setting allowed eyes to focus on the living centerpiece: a cluster of moss topped with bowls that held live Betta fish.

Sustainable agriculture champion Alice Waters was behind an inauguration celebration in Washington in 2009, where simple copper bowls held tangerines, and fresh bay leaves decked place cards.

The "Imagining the Lowline" fund-raising initiative's co-founders hosted a New York dinner billed as an "anti-gala" in 2012. Van Wyck & Van Wyck used reclaimed wood dining tables decorated with traditional taper candles and organic centerpieces made up of potted mint, lavender, rosemary, geranium leaves, and olive branches.

For the Oh Joy for Target launch party at a private residence in Beverly Hills earlier this year, Caravents turned patterns from the entertaining and party product collection into vinyl appliqués. The team applied them to the backs of ghost chairs to add on-brand pops of color to the event.

Instead of hosting a show at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week tents in 2011, Lacoste hosted a dinner for 40 at its Fifth Avenue store. The Manhattan space was under construction, so the apparel brand dressed it up with a stained and varnished plywood table under the exposed ceilings and wires, and marked chairs simply with numbers instead of place cards.

For last year's Costume Institute gala, which celebrated the exhibition “Punk: Chaos to Couture” with an overall punk-inspired look and feel, chairs at the dinner had cream fabric slip covers decorated with strips of black or pink grosgrain zippers.

The Schwarzkopf hair show in Los Angeles last year had a color-blocked look marked by bright, tropical shades. A canopy of colorful fringe hung over the event space, and ghost chairs were emblazoned with versions of the beauty brand's logo.

At the 2003 Angel Ball benefit for the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research in New York, On3's gift lounge included chairs decked with feathery angel wings. It made for striking decor, as well as a way to acknowledge and differentiate the highest-level sponsors.

For the Boston Ballet’s Balanchine Ball last year, Be Our Guest worked with Seaport Graphics to create custom chair decals for the clear surfaces, a striking decor element that also served as a surprise acknowledgment of the evening's honorees, Eleanor and Frank Pao.

For a wedding reception, YourBash set chairs with personalized gifts for guests in the event's color palette: individually-wrapped and branded handkerchiefs labeled “for your tears of joy.” After the gifts served their purpose on the big day, guests took them home as favors.

The Discovery Channel feted its new documentary, Frozen Planet, in New York in 2012 with a playful branded touch that also served as a fun takeaway: Among the array of penguin details the company brought into the Lincoln Center concert hall were plush stuffed toy penguins on each seat.

Earlier this year, the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS’ annual Dining by Design benefit in New York included a New York Design Center vignette, designed by Kati Curtis, that used the chairs to make a statement: The idea was to play on gender stereotypes, placing traditionally male or female aesthetics side by side to underscore their difference and also unite them.

At the 2011 Artists for Humanity “Have a Seat” benefit in Boston, the chairs themselves were a centerpiece of the design as well as the fund-raising effort: Each guest who attended received one of the chairs as a gift. The chairs then lived on in homes and offices all over the city as a conversation starter about the group’s mission.

Discovery marked the 25th anniversary of its Shark Week in 2012 with a Beverly Hills party that included shark imagery as dramatic event decor—including as moving projections in the Beverly Hilton’s pool. In addition, custom upholstery showing Shark Week imagery decked chairs for a can’t-miss branding effect.

The nonprofit Studio in a School has a goal of bringing art into public schools. So to bring art right into its gala space in New York in 2008, the group splashed the canvas coverings of its chairs and tables, making them works reminiscent of Jackson Pollock pieces.

Last year, luxury wedding business summit Engage took place in Asheville, North Carolina. On attendees chairs were custom clipboards and pencils from Gifts for the Good Life. Notepads by Trisha Hay Design encouraged guests to jot their "top takeaways” from the event's speakers.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County opened its new 14,000-square-foot Dinosaur Hall in 2011. In keeping with the new facility’s more than 300 fossils, 20 dinosaur skeletons, and multimedia interactive exhibits, the event got a dinosaur-hunting theme, with on-theme hats hanging on chairs as takeaways.

A Billabong and Element store opened in New York's Times Square in 2006 with an after-party that put the marketing message just about everywhere. For instance, guests sat on chairs made from de-wheeled skateboards.

The Robin Hood Foundation used IML devices to solicit donations from its dinner guests in 2010. To make them easy to find, the New York nonprofit created branded pockets that were attached to the legs of chairs.

Centerpieces consisted of wheat grass and balls of roses to bring the outdoor theme inside.

Tiki Hut sign, price upon request, available nationwide from Blueprint Studios

Palm Springs sofas, $500 for two, available in the New York area from Patina Vintage Rentals

Broadway end table, $100, available nationwide from AFR Event Furnishings

Palms round ottoman, price upon request, available in South Florida from Ronen Rental

White Acapulco chair, price upon request, available in California from Yeah Rentals

Stripes lounge chair, price upon request, available in South Florida from Ronen Rental

Eames plastic side chair, $25, available throughout South Florida from Lavish Event Rentals

Thatch umbrella, price upon request, available nationwide from Blueprint Studios

Solei coffee table, $120, available in California from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental

Oscar Raffia cube, $75 each, available throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic from Taylor Creative Inc.

Bamboo wood folding chair, $8, available in South Florida from Atlas Party Rental

Bamboo cocktail table, $25, available in South Florida from Atlas Party Rental

Tall and Round Reed lanterns, $25 and $30, respectively, available in California from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental

Yeah Sage coffee table, price upon request, available in California from Yeah Rentals

Tulip cocktail table, $150, available throughout South Florida from Lavish Event Rentals

Malibu solid bolster in stem green, $15, available in California from Designer8 Event Furniture Rental

Pavilion cabana, price upon request, available nationwide from Blueprint Studios

Cayman cabana, price upon request, available in California, Arizona, and Las Vegas from Lounge Appeal

Kelly bar, $475, available throughout the Northeast and mid-Atlantic from Taylor Creative Inc.

Tiki bar, $200, available in South Florida from Atlas Party Rental

For a chic, outdoorsy feel, set tables with items available in Chicago from Tablescapes (or go for a similar look): Vintage Crystal Basketweave charger, $7.50; Cutout Lace plate, $3; Christian silver flatware, $0.80 each; rectangular plate, $1.50; Traditional silver demitasse spoon, $0.65; mini glass jar, $0.90; Vintage Etched glassware, $2 each; Rust Satin napkin, $2.50; Silver napkin tie, $2; Aged Farm square tabletop, $45.

Tablescapes also has pieces that work for a whimsical, rustic look: Bronze Iridescent runner, $12.50; Ivory Hemstitch napkin, $3.60; Dancing Garden charger, $7.25; Sevres salad plate, $2.25; Mother of Pearl flatware, $0.90 each; Mother of Pearl napkin ring, $2.50; Aged Farm square tabletop, $45.

The Mint Agency used sand, shells, and bowls holding live fish as centerpieces at the September premiere dinner for Spring Breakers during the Toronto International Film Festival.

At a Belvedere-sponsored event during the 2012 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, chevron-patterned linens topped cocktail tables, and sunflower bouquets served as centerpieces.

LoLo Event Design offers hand-painted handkerchiefs that can serve as table numbers at a garden event. Set alongside flowers in a terra cotta pot, tables get a more casual feel than an elaborate formal centerpiece—just right for an alfresco event.

At Barbra Streisand's fund-raiser for the Cedars-Sinai Women's Heart Center in Malibu, colorful floral arrangements in wooden vases played off the outdoor setting.

For the Cedars-Sinai Women's Heart Centerdinner, held inside Streisand's home, neutral tones and fresh-picked centerpieces formed a summery setting.

At Diffa’s Dining by Design event in Chicago, an attention-grabbing booth 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.

Also at Diffa, Sarah Dippold Design's table had small tureens that held earthy arrangements of mosses, berries, and succulents.

At a Chicago launch party for wedding registry site Poladora.com, Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event set a festive, colorful table with Mexican inspiration.

At Diffa’s Dining by Design event in New York, Croscill's table resembled a canopy bed. It was covered in a bright pink quilted tablecloth and surrounded by clear Chiavari chairs.

At Girari Sustainable Event Furnishings’ tabletop design competition at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, event producer Alexandra Rembac-Goldberg of Sterling Engagements designed a showcase table with a bubble theme. The entire look was placed inside a clear bubble structure from Casa Bubble.

Also at Diffa in New York, Rachel Laxer Interiors with Robert Kuo designed an ode to Rococo painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard with a centerpiece of moody floral arrangements and fresh fruit.

A red thread, symbolizing the fight against AIDS, ran through several of the communal tables at this year's event. At a table designed by Kimberle Winzeler of Pauline Grace, red thread was wrapped around a tall candelabra.

Red threads also appeared on the edges of a communal table designed by Perkins & Will and the Ruder Group. Like many of this year's tabletop settings, the design had a natural look. The table had no linens and was topped with succulents and white taper candles. Small sprigs of greenery were tied onto white napkins with twine, and a furry throw added texture to the seats.

A similarly natural, garden-like design appeared at a table decorated by OFS Brands and student members of the American Society of Interior Design Illinois. With no linens, the table had leafy floral arrangements dotted with berries, and napkins were topped with delicate green sprigs. Settings included copper mugs, golden flatware, and wooden place mats.

Another communal table, decorated by HOK, CCI, and Knoll Textures, also eschewed linens. The white tabletop was covered in melted wax that had apparently dripped off tall white candles decking the table. Red rose petals were also scattered.

Wolf Gordon by the Getty's Group curtained off its booth, and guests stood in line to enter the mysterious installation. With a "Secret Society of Benevolence" theme, the space had a back wall made of black envelopes sealed with golden hearts. Guests could take the envelopes off the wall, and instructions inside bid them to perform kind tasks, such as offering compliments to fellow partygoers. A large-scale graphic design was slowly revealed as guests took more envelopes.

The center of the table had a "fireplace" that was actually made of illuminated water vapor.

A vignette from Leopardo by VOA evoked a Moroccan train car. Simple wooden tables, topped with white flowers and Moroccan tea glasses, were placed beside windows that appeared to look out onto scenery in motion.

Another table with a travel theme was designed by Gunlocke/HBF. Miniature hot-air balloons hovered above the table, which was also decked with a globe, clocks, maps folded into origami, and miniature treasure boxes.

Yet another linen and flower-free table was designed by Thomas Interior Systems and Siebold & Baker by Eastlake Studios. The installation featured a table that had traveled to 10 Chicago communities and served as a pop-up dining space. Those who gathered at the table were encouraged to write on its surface.

More doodling was encouraged at the table designed by Allsteel and Henricksen. The design incorporated pages plucked from adult coloring books, and centerpieces held crayons and colored pencils. Like many others this year, the table was flower free.

Not all tables were flowerless. A lush arrangement of pink and white peonies formed the centerpiece at a table designed by Debi Lily of A Perfect Event.

Each place setting at Debi Lilly's table had sparkling charger plates and coupe glasses holding cupcakes with floral frosting designs.

More flowers were found at—or rather, above—the table sponsored by Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago and decorated by Casa Spazio with Elizabeth Pasquinelli of Debaum Studio. The all-white installation was crowned by a canopy of upside-down carnations.

A bowl of oranges and a bucket of chilling champagne decorated a tabletop inspired by Portofino, Italy. The table was sponsored by the Design Center at the Merchandise Mart and designed by Tom Stringer Design Partners.

More fruit was found at the Diffa Farmer's market from Steelcase by Nelson. The whimsical installation invited guests to take home bags of fresh produce.

A setup from Herman Miller Geiger Furniture by Gensler was loosely inspired by a hospital waiting room. Syringes and small red toys were found on trays next to the wooden seats, and a ceiling of white balloons hung overhead.

Tie-dye pattern walls surrounded an installation from Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago, Roche Bobois, and Nicholas Moriarty Interiors. Dubbed "A Modern Encampment," the space was meant to have an indoor-outdoor feel and channel a modern boutique hotel.

Inspired by honey, the vignette from Interior Investments by IA was surrounded by hanging fixtures with honeycomb patterns. The vignette also placed bottles of honey on wooden pedestals surrounded by pillows. A living green wall formed the backdrop.

For the Canadian unveiling of the new limited edition Rémy Louis XIII Black Pearl cognac in Toronto in 2007, small golden bags filled with parting gifts flanked a square ice vase holding red roses.

One of the twists of Smirnoff's 2001 Twistotica product launch event in New York was that the men's and women's restrooms were switched. So the planning team at EventQuest put flowers in the urinals of the new women's bathroom.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles hosted its annual Bafta Los Angeles TV Tea at the SLS Hotel during Emmy weekend this year, honoring nominees from America and Europe. At the event, tea kettles in the shape of red phone booths held floral arrangements.

To raise funds for its Nascare (Neighbors and Supporters Care) program, the Boca Raton Community Hospital ditched the typical ballroom setting in favor of a private hangar at the Boca Airport in 2006. Boston-based Rafanelli Events designed the event, which had a Nascar theme, inspired by the name of the hospital's cancer program. Tires served as unconventional vessels to hold flowers.

Every year, the New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Dinner brings together top talents from the floral, interior, and fashion design communities who devise individual tables. In 2007, designers Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper put together an equestrian-theme table for Stark Carpet. Riding boots doubled as vases, and a single silver stirrup adorned the back of each chair cover.

Variety and Women in Film's pre-Emmy party in Los Angeles in 2012 was inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and whimsical decor included hanging bird cages filled with flowers.

The Starlight Children's Foundation hosted its Starlight Gala, sponsored by Toys “R” Us, at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel earlier this year. With the goal of raising money for sick or injured children, organizers created a whimsical bash filled with circus-inspired ideas. To that end, fluffy white flowers spilled out of striped containers that were shaped like classic popcorn boxes.

For a 2009 West Elm opening in New York, event designer David Stark helped underscore the retailer’s dedication to environmental awareness by creating auction items made from packing materials. More than half the objects crafted by Stark were functional, including vases made from laser-cut cardboard. (Glass test tubes inside allow users to fill the flower holders with water.)

Industrial elements dominated the Tate Americas Foundation's Artists Dinner in New York in May. Designer David Stark used giant metallic tubes, florescent lights, and galvanized metal accents in raw event space Skylight at Moynihan Station. Soft pink flowers contrasted the industrial materials that held them.

In 2011, New Balance took over New York's 620 Loft & Garden for a launch that saw producer MKG use shoes instead of vases as a tongue-and-cheek way to hold floral arrangements.