23 Inventive, Thought-Provoking Dining and Tabletop Ideas

From David Bowie-inspired tablescapes to fantasy dinner parties, Diffa's Dining by Design event in New York provides exciting concepts for decor, lighting, themes, and more.

Michele Laufik
March 28, 2018

Held annually in March, Dining by Design, a fund-raising event hosted by Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, brings together top designers, architects, brands, and local talent, asking them to transform a raw space into over-the-top dining installations. In addition to the vignettes, Dining by Design also includes a silent auction, a cocktail party, and a gala dinner, which was held on Monday night. Proceeds from the event, which raised $700,000 this year, go toward AIDS education and help fund treatment and care for those living with the disease.

This year, the five-day event, which takes place alongside the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, was held from March 22 to 26 at Pier 92. Similar to years past, the industry showcase presented a variety of designs from brands like Crate and Barrel and Design Within Reach and art institutions such as Pratt and the School of Visual Arts and designers like the Rockwell Group. Plus, this year, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which usually acts as a beverage sponsor, became a gold table sponsor and designed a booth that incorporated all things Texas.

Here's a look at some of the highlights.

Pratt Institute students addressed the weighty subject of a H.I.V.-positive diagnosis as the “elephant in the room,” interpreting the metaphor with this yellow chicken wire sculpture of the animal.
Pratt Institute students addressed the weighty subject of a H.I.V.-positive diagnosis as the “elephant in the room,” interpreting the metaphor with this yellow chicken wire sculpture of the animal.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Partnering with the Rug Company, Rockwell Group created an elliptical curtain made of 400 strands of hand-dyed, blue ombre carpet fibers, showcasing the Lola rug that is specially designed by David Rockwell and his daughter Lola.
Partnering with the Rug Company, Rockwell Group created an elliptical curtain made of 400 strands of hand-dyed, blue ombre carpet fibers, showcasing the Lola rug that is specially designed by David Rockwell and his daughter Lola.
Photo: Alan Berry
Novita Communications’ display celebrated the power of the media to inform people. The newspaper boats represented vessels of truth, floating above the noise.
Novita Communications’ display celebrated the power of the media to inform people. The newspaper boats represented vessels of truth, floating above the noise.
Photo: Alan Berry
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.
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.
Photo: Alan Berry
Design firm Gensler and Knoll's space featured a colorful rainbow of origami cranes suspended above a dining table.
Design firm Gensler and Knoll's space featured a colorful rainbow of origami cranes suspended above a dining table.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Rapt Studio created a device-free dinner table, complete with smartphone storage, a revolving tabletop, and a dark gray palette.
Rapt Studio created a device-free dinner table, complete with smartphone storage, a revolving tabletop, and a dark gray palette.
Photo: Alan Berry
Crate and Barrel's signature black-and-white branding served as a backdrop for the company’s dining vignette. Lush green benches, chrome chairs, and fresh greenery brought the space to life.
Crate and Barrel's signature black-and-white branding served as a backdrop for the company’s dining vignette. Lush green benches, chrome chairs, and fresh greenery brought the space to life.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Inspired by the courtyard at Ralph’s restaurant in Paris, the Ralph Lauren tablescape featured wicker wine coolers and summery shades of blue.
Inspired by the courtyard at Ralph’s restaurant in Paris, the Ralph Lauren tablescape featured wicker wine coolers and summery shades of blue.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Tile manufacturer Florim, in collaboration with HOK architecture firm, Teknion lighting, and Studio TK, created a circular dining atmosphere that was inspired by the concept of time.
Tile manufacturer Florim, in collaboration with HOK architecture firm, Teknion lighting, and Studio TK, created a circular dining atmosphere that was inspired by the concept of time.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Watches served as napkin rings at each table setting.
Watches served as napkin rings at each table setting.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
The School of Visual Arts’ Red Room incorporated cylindrical elements in an effort to create a sense of unity all in the representative color of the H.I.V./AIDS movement.
The School of Visual Arts’ Red Room incorporated cylindrical elements in an effort to create a sense of unity all in the representative color of the H.I.V./AIDS movement.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Place cards at each table setting included conversational phrases such as “We need to talk…” and “I have some news….”
Place cards at each table setting included conversational phrases such as “We need to talk…” and “I have some news….”
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Sunbrella teamed up with Peter Pennoyer Architects to create a fantasy dinner party. Chair slipcovers designated spots for artists, thinkers, and innovators throughout history, including interior designer Dorothy Draper and architect Sir John Soane.
Sunbrella teamed up with Peter Pennoyer Architects to create a fantasy dinner party. Chair slipcovers designated spots for artists, thinkers, and innovators throughout history, including interior designer Dorothy Draper and architect Sir John Soane.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Inspired by Franke’s kitchen sinks and faucets, Marc Thorpe Design presented the “Gallery of Franke” with the company’s products serving as artwork.
Inspired by Franke’s kitchen sinks and faucets, Marc Thorpe Design presented the “Gallery of Franke” with the company’s products serving as artwork.
Photo: Alan Berry
Jeffrey Beers International’s design was a tribute to David Bowie and his alter egos Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane. Inspired by one of Masayoshi Sukita’s photos of Bowie (in which he wears a samurai-like costume), the dining setup featured custom wall covering that mimicked the design on his jumpsuit, tiles reminiscent of a stage, and a custom fixture with glass beads by Focus Lighting that ran down the center of the table, capturing the drama of stage lights.
Jeffrey Beers International’s design was a tribute to David Bowie and his alter egos Ziggy Stardust and Aladdin Sane. Inspired by one of Masayoshi Sukita’s photos of Bowie (in which he wears a samurai-like costume), the dining setup featured custom wall covering that mimicked the design on his jumpsuit, tiles reminiscent of a stage, and a custom fixture with glass beads by Focus Lighting that ran down the center of the table, capturing the drama of stage lights.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
The New York Times and One Kings Lane laid out a desert chic, bohemian tablescape with golden pomegranates that featured the shopping site’s new outdoor furniture.
The New York Times and One Kings Lane laid out a desert chic, bohemian tablescape with golden pomegranates that featured the shopping site’s new outdoor furniture.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Designer Wesley Moon's table for Luxe magazine celebrates springtime with bright pastel colors and plenty of florals, including a blooming ceiling installation.
Designer Wesley Moon's table for Luxe magazine celebrates springtime with bright pastel colors and plenty of florals, including a blooming ceiling installation.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
For its booth, Arteriors created a luxe, sexy aesthetic inspired by the scarab, a sacred status symbol that has been used in design for centuries. Custom wallpaper and a trippy triptych, along with black lacquer seating and branch-esque lighting fixtures, offered an edgy take on the nature theme.
For its booth, Arteriors created a luxe, sexy aesthetic inspired by the scarab, a sacred status symbol that has been used in design for centuries. Custom wallpaper and a trippy triptych, along with black lacquer seating and branch-esque lighting fixtures, offered an edgy take on the nature theme.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Designer Alessandra Branca interpreted Benjamin Moore’s color of the year—Caliente—into a tablescape with Moroccan arches, lanterns, patterned fabric and tableware, and tulips.
Designer Alessandra Branca interpreted Benjamin Moore’s color of the year—Caliente—into a tablescape with Moroccan arches, lanterns, patterned fabric and tableware, and tulips.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
As an homage to Donghia’s Anjou mirror, designer Bennett Leifer built a pear garden setting with grassy floor covering and earthy tones.
As an homage to Donghia’s Anjou mirror, designer Bennett Leifer built a pear garden setting with grassy floor covering and earthy tones.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Interior Design magazine continued to use bold graphics and inspiring messages for its tablescape. This year, with the theme 'the light within,' the design featured bright yellow cubes and light bulbs as tabletop decor.
Interior Design magazine continued to use bold graphics and inspiring messages for its tablescape. This year, with the theme "the light within," the design featured bright yellow cubes and light bulbs as tabletop decor.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Designed by hospitality designers Matthew Goodrich and Kendall Lowe for Design Within Reach, this tablescape celebrates classic design—by concealing it. The installation features a collection of chair designs, from 1859 to 2010, which were selected for their formal and structural similarities. Working with collaborator Kim Klein, each chair was hand painted and coated with resin to make the chair appear as if it is transforming into a liquid state.
Designed by hospitality designers Matthew Goodrich and Kendall Lowe for Design Within Reach, this tablescape celebrates classic design—by concealing it. The installation features a collection of chair designs, from 1859 to 2010, which were selected for their formal and structural similarities. Working with collaborator Kim Klein, each chair was hand painted and coated with resin to make the chair appear as if it is transforming into a liquid state.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which usually participates as a beverage sponsor, became a gold table sponsor this year and presented its Texas-style Stillhouse Lounge among the showcase.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka, which usually participates as a beverage sponsor, became a gold table sponsor this year and presented its Texas-style Stillhouse Lounge among the showcase.
Photo: Taylor McIntyre/BizBash
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