20 Inspiring Decor Ideas From Diffa's Dining by Design in Chicago

Forum Studio and Clayco's "tree house" concept was inspired by the Chicago Loop's architecture and its modern grid. "The use of tinted mirrored walls is to remove barriers, opening all avenues for design, while showing a play of grid and texture in an abstract rendition," said Josh Tremblay, principal at Forum Studio.

Golden palm-frond-inspired fixtures hung above the Garden of Eve-theme Circa Lighting display, which was designed by Sarah Whit Interior Design. The vignette also featured an apple tree centerpiece, animal-printed rug, and greenery as makeshift walls.

Slithery snake napkin rings served as the focal point of Circa Lighting’s vibrant place setting.

Harrington College of Design showcased garland walls made of discs in shades of teal, turquoise, and gold. The table display, which was designed by the school’s students, also included agate coasters and gold flatware.

Taking inspiration from the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Illinois Institute of Art students created a luxe-looking vignette with a fur table covering, golden goblets, and gold-tinged roses on the ceiling.

Students from the Illinois chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers went with a woodsy theme, using natural elements like branches, seashells, moss, and animal hides throughout their showcase.

A succulent provided contrast to the opulent gold bowl, glossy place setting, and shiny flatware at the table from the American Society of Interior Designers.

Kravet featured the bold patterns from its exclusive fabric collection by fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. The home furnishings company’s vignette was designed by Lee Jota and Brunschwig & Fils.

At the Leopardo showcase, designed by Charlie Greene Studio, an embroidered needlepoint wall spelled out a sobering statistic: More than 35 million people are living with H.I.V. "The Leopardo table was about recognizing the work that we still have to do. ... We wanted to remind people in a homey, handmade sort of way why they were at the event. The juxtaposition of the crafted delivery and the serious message made the message more unexpected and profound," said designer Jason Hall.

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.

A bright red perforated partition at the Knoll display, which was designed by IA Interior Architects, cast interesting shadows and played into the company’s concept of light, shade, and perspective.

A moss-adorned wall served as the backdrop for the minimal white dining setup at the Coalesse and OEC Business Interiors vignette, which was designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz.

J. C. Anderson, along with Valerio Dewalt Train Associates, designed a dining room representing the lives of those living with AIDS. Fractured planes and mirrors served to “remind guests of the beastly nature of the disease” and that “even a seemingly broken life can be beautiful.”

At the J. C. Anderson table, each setting signified a different demographic affected by the epidemic, spanning sexual orientation, age, wealth, and race.

White vinyl records replaced plates and Skullcandy brand headphones dangled from above at the DJ-inspired Steelcase vignette designed by Gensler.

Feathers tucked into wooden napkin rings offered a subtle nature vibe at the dining table from Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago by Casa Spazio, which was designed by Interiors Spaces Inc.

Inner tubes suspended from the ceiling were one of many playful touches at the tropical cabana created by Kehoe Designs.

The Getty’s Group highlighted the “bounty of what nature has to offer” with a cornucopia of fruits and veggies, like apples, pumpkins, and pomegranates. The interior designers also used reclaimed and upcycled materials to created the space.

“The tablescape was conceived with a nod to the game Clue and the weapons game pieces,” explained Richard Cassis, principal and creative director of Sparc Inc. The display’s murder mystery dinner theme featured glass cloche vignettes, which contained items such as a replica Civil War revolver balanced on a stack of 8 balls, a sterling silver candlestick atop a set of plates and linens, and an antique wrench hidden in a bouquet of white roses.