Dining By Design 2012 ~ Part Deux

HBA

Minimalist zen space by architect  David Ling.  A clever use of corrugated light boxes and niches.  All you have to do is pull up a railroad tie and have a seat

Fine rooftop dining replete with a pigeon or two by another architect, Arpad Baksa.  The attention to detail did not go unnoticed.

Libby Langdon for Liebherr combined two of my favorite things ~ great lighting by the way of a wine bottle installation by By Gordon Living and Ikat for a rustic elegant effect.  Note to self:  find a client who can use this fixture!

And speaking of elegant, Maya Romanoff  does what they do best ~ Simply elegant, sophisticated, fashion forward wall coverings rooted in nature, inspiring my favorite table.  Their bedazzled paper was the perfect compliment to the melange of elements.

Mark Cunningham's table honoring the Ralph Lauren EVP and chief creative officer Alfredo Paredes.
DIFFA's  Dining by Design 2012  was honoring Mr. Paredes for his many years of service as a trustee.

And... the Ralph Lauren room, not just a tablescape, never disappoints.  That's what I love about RL, they (he) always want to set the stage for an experience.  No matter that is was an unseasonably warm March day.  The icicles, frost, and fire made me long for winter to last a little longer.

Let's talk more about Alfredo Paredes next time, shall we?

ph:CLI

Dining By Design 2012

The designers participating in Dining by Design once again wowed me.  I love equally the vignettes that inspire and show you something you can do at home and the outrageous, "just for fun" vignettes that are meant to be marveled at

Best use of a slinky goes to Designlush

David Stark for Benjamin Moore created a vignette around their color stories collection.  It did not go unnoticed that Shades of Grey was 1 of those stories.  Did you see my 50 Shades of Grey post?  The stories came to life via the intricate laser cutouts.

Dufner Heighes made their feelings known about same sex marriage via a table top tableau

One of the most fun tables was done by the New York Design Center styled by Alexa Stevenson.

It must be all the people she'd like to have at a dinner party who are no longer with us.  Who would you love to have at a dinner party; dead or alive?

Each place setting represented the personality of the deceased guest.  I cracked up when I sawBubbles the monkey sitting in Michael Jackson's chair.

And poor Elizabeth Taylor with all those unsightly liquor bottles.  That's not how I think of her, but she's with Richard now.

The chair with the now famous red bathing suit draped over it belongs to Farrah Fawcett

Andy Warhol might have been busy painting a portrait of Coco Chanel sitting to the right of him while she was talking shop with Emilio Pucci

come back for part deux next time where elegance is the theme

ph: CLI

Dining By Design 2011

Ralph Lauren

DIFFA, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, has been fundraising since it's inception in 1984.
It includes all facets of the design/arts community.  DIFFA provides grants to organizations that provide education, treatment, and outreach to those living with HIV/AIDS.  Dining by Design has become a huge event over the past decade with major designers and events planners creating magnificent tabletop vignettes.  Here are some of my favorites:

I love Donna Karen's zen-like table setting.  It might not be condusive to talking to those across from you, however.  The water trickling over the pebbles and around the orchids invites sitting long after dinner.

Donna Karen

There's a great design que here; the panels were all painted, a very easy DIY project, if you have steady hands.  Simple flowers floating in bowls are always elegant.  And don't forget a gift for each guest!

Coffinier Ku

Vicente Wolf

It appears to be raining around the perimeter of  the table, which no doubt is helping the wheatgrass grow.

Evette Rios

I wouldn't mind dining on a bed of roses

David Rockwell

I loved the profusion of flowers and colors.  That is Wills and Kate on the plates.  Maybe in the States, we'll help celebrate.

David Beahm

I loved the Ode to the Woody.  My first car was a woody station wagon (and sometimes it was turned into a bar when we opened the back) but I NEVER drank and drove, nor did I consider bear skin rugs!

Brad Ford

Just heavenly!  I love the simple centerpieces elevated by the cloches.  The guests' names were in silver frames under glass.

Jeffery Brooks

The Butterfly Effect, "Amidst suffering and disaster, can a small gesture make an immeasurable impact?  In this vast system, we are not alone in our struggles.  We are all connected."  How prophetic!

Tug Studio