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

In 2019, Dining by Design celebrated its 10th year of colocation with the Architectural Digest Design Show, as well as DIFFA's 35th anniversary. The five-day fundraising event brought together more than 30 designers, architects, manufacturers, and brands at Pier 92 in New York. Shown here, interior designer Patrick Miele created a dining room for Benjamin Moore that celebrated old-world glamour with a palette of berry, cream, gold, and silver, trompe l’oeil details, and oversize paper flower centerpieces.

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.

IA Interior Architects’ “Past + Present + Future” room celebrated how far AIDS research has come and examined how much more there is to do. The space was split in two, with one side recognizing what has been accomplished in the past 35 years since the discovery of the AIDS virus in 1984 through the posters and graphics that have increased awareness of the cause. The other side represented 35 years into the future. Projected on the blank slate was various imagery that represented what the future can be. Located in the center of the space was the mirrored dining table and chairs, which represented the present and the idea that by reflecting the past in the present, we can better understand how to get to the ideal future. See more: 18 Dining and Tabletop Ideas From Diffa's 2019 Dining by Design

Also held at Pier 92, the 2018 benefit raised $700,000. The New York Design Center partnered with the New York School of Interior Design to bring to life a quintessential New York entity, the subway. The vignette featured bare-bones table settings with plastic takeout containers and Metrocards, as well as arched lighting that gave the appearance of an underground tunnel.

Pratt Institute students addressed the weighty subject of a HIV-positive diagnosis as the “elephant in the room,” interpreting the metaphor with this yellow chicken-wire sculpture of the animal. Place cards at each table setting included conversational phrases such as “We need to talk…” and “I have some news….” See more: 23 Inventive, Thought-Provoking Dining and Tabletop Ideas

In 2016, DIFFA hosted its 13th Dining by Design at Chicago's Merchandise Mart in November. While previous years featured dozens of booths, the 2016 event had a different format with 10 booths and more communal tables. Showcasing everything from steampunk culture to an idyllic picnic setting, the benefit raised $160,000. Pictured here, Art For Life Chicago designed a table for Knoll. With a graffiti-inspired design and a yellow, black, red, and white color palette, the piece was inspired by the Richmond Mural Project in Virginia. The artsy plates echoed the graffiti motif. See more: 14 Inspiring Tabletops From Diffa's Dining by Design in Chicago

The tablescapes at DIFFA Chicago's 2014 Dining by Design, which took place at the Merchandise Mart from Nov. 6-8, reflected the participants’ interpretations of the event’s theme: “Beauty and the Feast.” Bright accent flowers, a black-and-white-patterned table, and gold seating popped against the grass flooring at the Cambria display, which was designed by Fredman Design Group. A bowl of goldfish sat in the center of Cambria’s table.

White vinyl records replaced plates and Skullcandy brand headphones dangled from above at the DJ-inspired Steelcase vignette designed by Gensler. See more: 20 Inspiring Decor Ideas From Diffa's Dining by Design in Chicago

In 2013, Dining by Design took place at the Merchandise Mart, with vignettes from nearly 30 artists, architects, and interior designers. With sketchpads instead of plates, a bucket of paintbrushes, and paintings stacked up against the wall, the table for Agati Furniture/Desks was modeled on an artist's studio. See more: 24 Steal-Worthy Decor Ideas From Diffa's Dining by Design in Chicago

With nearly 35 dining room vignettes, 2012's benefit was also held at Chicago's Merchandise Mart. Kehoe Designs' eye-catching booth had an oversize stallion statue, a curvy, mirrored bar, disco balls, and color-changing light.

Inspired by textile artist Alexander Girard and a child's bedroom, Herman Miller's table designed by IA Chicago was surrounded with colorful pillows. After the event, the pillows were donated to The Boys & Girls Club. See more: 25 Tabletop and Decor Ideas From Diffa's Dining by Design in Chicago

At the 2011 event held in Chicago, a table from Leopardo, designed by Interior Architects, had a circus theme. Small, silver buckets of popcorn were overturned on each plate. See more: 35 Tabletop and Decor Ideas From Diffa's Dining by Design in Chicago