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Looking at Diffa's Trove of Tabletop Design Ideas

Courtney Thompson

April 7, 2008

A cardboard and plywood dining room designed by Pratt students

A cardboard and plywood dining room designed by Pratt students

Photo: Francine Daveta for BizBash

Each year when the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS Dining by Design benefit hits New York—recruiting designers to dream up elaborate tabletop looks—we record the myriad inspirational ideas the event offers. This year was no exception, and our style editors were on the prowl last week, spotting new place setting concepts, identifying color trends, and (lucky you) highlighting the event’s 10 most steal-able ideas. You can find an archive of our coverage of the event here.

David Stark also created unique centerpieces for the 2018 Robin Hood benefit, also held at the Javits Center. The event, which had a “Lights of New York” theme, featured three-sided mini marquee centerpieces that offered messages of gratitude and celebrated the organization's anniversary.

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In September, Blueprint Studios designed and produced the San Francisco Opera’s Centennial Celebration Gala. At the arrival reception and dinner, an indigo and goldenrod color palette found in the table linens and flatware was especially striking. The team at the San Francisco-based event production company also used a mix of periodic textiles such as velvet, leather, crystal, mirror, and ostrich plumes throughout. See more: Over-the-Top Design Inspiration From Two of San Francisco's Most Swoon-Worthy Galas

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From interactive musical instruments to marquee signage to mini cityscapes, here are some of the most unique event centerpieces we’ve spotted over the years.

David Stark also created unique centerpieces for the 2018 Robin Hood benefit, also held at the Javits Center. The event, which had a “Lights of New York” theme, featured three-sided mini marquee centerpieces that offered messages of gratitude and celebrated the organization's anniversary.

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Meagan Hundt spent over a decade producing events in Manhattan—but the pandemic brought her to St. Barts. Now she's creating intricate tablescapes with her newly launched company, ART2TABLE.

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How Apartment Therapy and Pinterest Came Together to Create Showstopping Tablescapes—Just in Time for the Holidays

In perfect timing with the season of gathering, 10 designers brought their own personal style to the table—literally—at Dine By Design, inspiring guests to get creative with their holiday place settings in the coming weeks.

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From florals encased in ice to a French-inspired dining vignette, we've rounded up a handful of looks that made us wish we had a seat at every table.

In September, Blueprint Studios designed and produced the San Francisco Opera’s Centennial Celebration Gala. At the arrival reception and dinner, an indigo and goldenrod color palette found in the table linens and flatware was especially striking. The team at the San Francisco-based event production company also used a mix of periodic textiles such as velvet, leather, crystal, mirror, and ostrich plumes throughout. See more: Over-the-Top Design Inspiration From Two of San Francisco's Most Swoon-Worthy Galas

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Another inspiration tabletop spotted at DIFFA's annual event, this ethereal display marries feminine hues with metallic touches for a showstopping setting—certainly better suited for those with a go-big-or-go-home mindset. See more: 18 Dining and Tabletop Ideas From Diffa's 2019 Dining by Design

#ThrowbackThursday: 12 Inspirational Installations From DIFFA's Dining By Design

Looking for some inspiration? Look no further. While DIFFA's signature fundraiser has been postponed until 2021, we're taking a look back at top moments from years past as an ode to the creativity-filled benefit.

Novita Communications partnered with design studio Maiarelli Studio to create an installation that aimed to connect reading with the feeling of empathy. Instead of plates, open overturned books covering the topic of AIDS occupied the place settings, and stacks of books served as table legs.

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Coastal Cool - One of many hyper-curated tablescapes from Hestia Harlow, the newly launched event platform that's creating a revolution in our industry.

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The Lodge at Sonoma recently launched its Sonoma Bike Tour program, created in partnership with Mission Bicycle Company, a boutique bicycle shop in San Francisco. The program features an insider’s guide to spots in Sonoma within biking distance, and the Ultimate Wine Country Bike Tour Package (starting at $344) includes the use of two custom wine-colored bikes made exclusively for the lodge. Plus, guests can go on a scavenger hunt with stops and tasks at participating locations such as tasting the special “Vella” cheese at the Vella Creamery.

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2. Brighten up a seating area.

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For a private wedding, held at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington in March 2018, Favored by Yodit Events & Design and By Dami Studios created golden menus with cherry blossom frames to mimic the event’s theme.

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From a whimsical peacock-feather tablecloth to trompe l’oeil details, the fund-raising event offered up cool, creative, and clever concepts for decor, lighting, themes, and more.

Novita Communications partnered with design studio Maiarelli Studio to create an installation that aimed to connect reading with the feeling of empathy. Instead of plates, open, overturned books, each covering the topic of AIDS, occupied the place settings and stacks of books served as table legs.

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