DIFFA Dining by Design at the Architectural Digest Home Show 2012

A week of amazing design inspiration has me (and my photo file) on visual overload. Contemplating where to even start, I thought I’d actually work a bit backwards, beginning with the always fabulous DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Dining by Design event at the Architectural Digest Home Show. Tablescapes benefitting this worthwhile cause, draw major industry notables and this year’s creations were especially spectacular. Here is a sampling of a few of the incredible tables.

DIFFA Dining by Design 2012The talented Tilton Fenwick team took their inspiration from the colorful Christian Lacroix fabric Vuelta, which makes reference to the flowers thrown to bullfighters after their matches and the bouquets of carnations Lacroix receives after his runway shows. The base is actually a tour de force of trompe l’oeil by decorative painter Augustin Hurtado. I love how the corner pleat cleverly mocks the red cape of a matador – what a fabulous decorative detail.

Tilton Fenwick table at DIFFA Dining by Design 2012The table was beautifully layered with a coordinated mix of vintage blue flow plates, Mottahedeh Blue Lace chargers and William Wayne napkins and placemats. For more details, visit the designers’ fun blog here.

DIFFA Dining by Design 2012

Ralph Lauren‘s space was really more than just a table – an entire room of winter chic was created to recognize the fact that DIFFA Trustee Alfredo Paredes, EVP and Chief Retail Creative Officer for Ralph Lauren, will be the honoree at the gala dinner for the event. In true Ralph fashion, every detail was perfection, from the throws, to the log piles, to the roaring fire. If it hadn’t been 75 degrees on Thursday, I would have wanted to hop right into this vignette.

I continue to be amazed by the prolific creativity of David Stark, whose fabulous Wood Shop I featured recently. He and Benjamin Moore have paired before to create Dining by Design tables but this year’s was a vignette that especially spoke to me. Based on the new Color Stories full spectrum paint collection, the room (more than just a table) played off of Benjamin Moore’s clever campaign for the line – “a whole new chapter in paint color technology is being written.”

David Stark table at DIFFA Dining by Design 2012

The color coded wall of faux books segueing into descriptive open pages, a charming paper cut-out mobile and individual pashminas on each chair all celebrated Benjamin Moore’s story. Even the table itself was constructed of volumes with spines representing individual hues and book place cards with color coordinated napkins. You couldn’t help but be happy in this cheerful whimsical space!

DIFFA Dining by Design 2012

Kravet‘s table and “booth” debuting the new Jonathan Adler fabric collection was a delightful salute to the art of ceramics, with cut outs mimicking the shape of vases. The genie in a bottle feeling of the enclosure was the perfect foil for Adler’s playful patterns and colors.

Jonathan Adler DIFFA Dining by Design 2012

Inside, the table was set with Adler’s chic Greek key inspired Gray Nixon dinnerware, Pop Highball Glasses and Goblets. I love the fresh gray and citrus palate which we have been seeing for spring fashion as well. I remember learning about the Kravet/Adler collaboration at Blogfest last year – wondering what exciting projects they’ll unveil in May?!

Jonathan Adler new fabric line for Kravet

I loved the contrast of textures and materials at RDYC Interior Design + Architectural Development‘s table. The tonal sophistication of the lucite chairs and glass chandelier paired with the stone and mosaics were like a magical underwater grotto. (The colorful hangings on the right were part of a neighboring table).

DiFFA Dining by Design 2012

The scene included tablewear by Arte Italica, the pewter trim adding a subtle sheen to the fantasy.

DIFFA Dining by Design 2012

Stop by tomorrow to see a few more of the beautiful tables at DIFFA.

16 thoughts on “DIFFA Dining by Design at the Architectural Digest Home Show 2012

  1. I am loving these amazing table designs, all for DIFFA, a great cause. I must come back to peruse more closely!

    I hope you will come and see the feature I have on an amazing sculptor.

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena
    The 2012 Artist Series

  2. Such great photos of Dining by Design, thanks so much for featuring the Kravet table! I wish we’d had more time to speak when we saw each other Thursday, looking forward to more great coverage of the event.

  3. Stacey ~ you are doing a marvelous job editing your content and sharing just the most inspirational shots. I loved the Tilton Finwick tables, including the special place settings, I love the complexity they add to the table and anomies are one of my favorites. Keep it coming!!

  4. Oh so lovely, Stacey. Wish I could have been there. So many creative spaces you have to appreciate the talent going into each one. I have those Arte Italica chargers, they are one of my most treasured possessions. Beautiful post, my friend. xx’s

  5. Hand raised – pick me to sit at the Ralph Lauren table in the chair with the furry pillow please! No, okay, I’d happily sit at the Benjamin Moore table! So fun!
    xo Cathy

  6. Stacey: Thank you for the tour de force. I especially enjoyed the Benjamin Moore setting. Can’t wait until tomorrow. If you run into my girl, blow her a kiss for me!
    Best,
    Liz

  7. Incredible tablscapes….every single one!!!

    But, love seeing the talented team of Tilton Fenwick with their “tower of flowers” and that smart nod to the matador!!

    ~ Elizabeth

  8. Such lovely tablescapes. I went to a private AIDS event this weekend and AIDS walk in my town. No I didn’t walk but I cheered them all on.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *