Tabletop Trends From Diffa: Tumblers, Chunky Silverware, Fake Flowers

Mark MavrigianLisa Cericola

April 1, 2009

Among the recurring motifs in the table settings at Diffa’s Dining by Design event this past week were a mix of fancy pieces and more rustic touches. There were thick ceramic plates, tumblers, and flatware in dark, heavy materials as well as a thick, fancy silverware. And several designers traded live plants for silk flowers.

Note: You can find all of our Diffa coverage here.

David Beahm's table for Continental Airlines

David Beahm's table for Continental Airlines

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Alpha Workshops included ornate, weighty silverware from Tiffany & Company.

Alpha Workshops included ornate, weighty silverware from Tiffany & Company.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Marc Blackwell's place settings included flatware with a matte black finish.

Marc Blackwell's place settings included flatware with a matte black finish.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Faune Yerby used silverware with chunky black wooden handles.

Faune Yerby used silverware with chunky black wooden handles.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Alpha Workshops' table included hand-thrown plates by Alice Goldsmith Ceramics.

Alpha Workshops' table included hand-thrown plates by Alice Goldsmith Ceramics.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Ralph Lauren Home's dishes had a casual feel and a splattered pattern.

Ralph Lauren Home's dishes had a casual feel and a splattered pattern.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Ralph Lauren Home mixed tumblers with a black band and a single piece of stemware.

Ralph Lauren Home mixed tumblers with a black band and a single piece of stemware.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Campion Platt's table for Architectural Digest included smoky-colored tumblers.

Campion Platt's table for Architectural Digest included smoky-colored tumblers.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

Eric Warner's table had etched tall and short glassware.

Eric Warner's table had etched tall and short glassware.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

HP's Asian dining space had a low centerpiece of silk peonies.

HP's Asian dining space had a low centerpiece of silk peonies.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

For his table for Continental Airlines, David Beahm used silk cherry blossoms.

For his table for Continental Airlines, David Beahm used silk cherry blossoms.

Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash

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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