Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (Diffa) returned to Pier 94 for its annual Dining by Design benefit, bringing 40 installations created by architects, artists, and interior, fashion, and event designers. The five-day event, which once again ran alongside the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, included a cocktail party, gala dinner, and three days of public viewing. As in past years, many of the looks on display could translate to events, including place settings, centerpieces, and brandable items. Here is a look at those ideas and more.
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Kravet's setting had banquette seating around a round purple table that had dozens of holes cut out of the surface, which created a pretty pattern of light on the floor below (and held napkins and glasses).
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David Stark's installation for Benjamin Moore had an aviary theme, to play off the paint manufacturer's latest Twitter promotion. Among many trompe l'oeil details, the space had two faux chandeliers that looked hand-drawn.
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Ralph Lauren Home went with a rustic, country porch feel complete with bandannas as napkins, mix-and-match blue and white plates, and single-bloom arrangements in large vintage-looking vessels such as glass jars and silver vases.
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Goil Amornvivat and Thomas Morbitzer found inspiration in butterflies when designing their space for Tug Studio. The display, which included a science-project-like wind tunnel, also had a stick-on patterned table runner, which added interest to the simple piece of furniture.
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Guests at David Rockwell's table dined from plates set on a bed of fresh red roses. Inspired by the AIDS ribbon, Rockwell used plain ribbon to create an interwoven hanging display in lieu of a chandelier.
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MMPI's space, by D'Apostrophe Design, was lined with faux fur in which the designers had shaved the words of a French poem. Other striking details included a long glowing table, an overhead mirror, and dishware secured by latex straps.
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Jeffrey Brooks Interior Design created an ethereal setting with an oversize pair of feathered wings, silvery tabletop accessories, and shiny fabrics on seat covers and draping.
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One hundred and eight students from Pratt Institute (working with design mentor Alfredo Paredes) used recycled materials to create a unique setting for sponsor David Wine. The team used cardboard tubes and panels to create walls and bamboolike posts, and tall tubes of paper that became a candelabra when lit with small LED lights. Macrame gave simple metal frame chairs a stylish look.
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Fabric manufacturer ScalamandrĂŠ created a preppy setting, complete with parasols and brightly patterned linens and rugs. The fun (and frugal) centerpiece was fashioned out of silk peonies and orange takeout containers.
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Design firm 2Michaels found inspiration in textiles. Large spools of thread served as vases and wall decorations. For a playful touch, a gigantic desk lamp served as a chandelier.
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For sponsor Susan Blond, Jes Gordon created a fun, bold look using a variety of inexpensive materials such as cardboard boxes, neon masking tape, round LED lights, and Styrofoam shelving.
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Stefan Beckman created a sleek, on-brand table for sponsor Coca-Cola using a variety of recycled items, including the overhead lights and dining chairs (which were made from plastic bottles). Clear glass vessels, including some empty Coke bottles, created a runner down the center of the table.
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Michael Tavano Design's sunny yellow and white table had a surprise feature: Guests could flip a switch on the wall to control the motorized solar shades lining the walls. When turned on, the panels moved up and down, creating new patterns.
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Diane von Furstenberg's table, which showcased her new line of housewares, had a quirky centerpiece of curving lamps in the designer's signature colorful patterns.
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Marc Blackwell's elegant setting had one row of plush banquette seating and one row of custom-made chairs on casters. When arranged in a row, the chair backs formed an abstract image.
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Echodesign's space had a resort feel, with airy printed fabrics, oversize greenery, tropical artwork, and chartreuse orchids. One unusual detail was the table's patterned runner, which extended all the way down to the floor.
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Bobby Berk Home and Marc Wilson Design collaborated on a casual setting with lots of playful details, including ceramic robot table-toppers, curly candlesticks, and several upside-down potted plants, which the designers hung on one wall.
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Mary Davis Interiors' setting included two contrasting chair styles: two large armchairs at each end of the table, and metal side chairs on either side.
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Leather goods manufacturer Moore & Giles worked with Brad Ford to create the Great American Woody, a traveling vehicle for "luxury tailgating" complete with a bar, inside seating, and video screen. The display will travel to food and design events around the country, and people can donate money to Diffa through its Web site. At the end of its run, it will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Diffa.
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Anki Spets of Area's setting for The New York Times included large teacups with simple (and gift-able) monochromatic arrangements of blooms by Fleurs Bella.
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One of the more unusual looks, Arpad Baksa's installation had tiered, bleacherlike seats, so guestsďż˝"or mannequinsďż˝"could sit and look at each other.
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Caroline McKeough created a small four-seat table with a tall centerpiece made out of dozens of overlapping picture frames. Small metal butterflies added a touch of sparkle.
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Coffinier Ku Design topped two tables with big glass bowls full of floating gardenias in the New York Design Center's setting, which was a tribute to Christian BĂŠrard.
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Scandia Home used hidden color-changing lights to enliven its all-white space. Soft cotton pillows and glass containers full of cotton created a cozy look. Plain white dinner plates featured the company's logoďż˝"an easy branding idea.
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Instead of flowers, Jeffrey Brooks's table had a trio of artfully arranged towers of fresh produce covered by tall glass cloches.
Photo: Emily Gilbert for BizBash
