For the previous 11 years, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) has set on Dining By Design events nationally. These events are full of eye candy — designers pull out all the stops to showcase amazing, one-of-a-kind themed tabletops for just two nights. The 2011 San Francisco occasion was no exception. While some tables captured the eye of the vivid colour palettes, others stunned using their intricate customized products. Have a peek at a few of our favorite tables, and get motivated for your own holiday tablescape.
DIFFA donated all profits from the event into the UCSF Positive Health Program at San Francisco General Hospital. Pictures by Gabriel TothFejel
Gabriel TothFejel
Designer: Shades of Green Landscape Architecture
Shades of Green has been one of the only landscape architects at this year’s event, also lived up to the honour by producing a mythical jungle of draping vines, lush leaves and faux chrysalises at the table. The”Terra” table looks almost like it popped out of a fairy tale — due in good part to the throne-like seats. These unique seats are each made from one piece of wood, bringing this table into an entirely new level.
Gabriel TothFejel
Various kinds of ground cover provided from Wheeler Zamaroni were put at a shallow tray below the table. The table itself was covered with artificial turf and accented with numerous succulents. The bowls, glasses and silverware are by Diane von Furstenburg for Bloomingdale’s, and the plates and platters are from Heath Ceramics.
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Gabriel TothFejel
Designer and sponsor: Kravet
Francois Simard, Kravet corporate image designer, utilized contrasting tones of purple and green Kravet fabric in this colorful and cozy booth to create a vibrant and eclectic looking table. The table was made to create a more intimate lounge-like dining space. Despite the brilliant color palette, mild was the main inspiration in this design — the table has numerous holes cut into it so that light could filter through the imperial purple carpeting.
Gabriel TothFejel
The candles on the custom made table are from Restoration Hardware and the plates at each setting are from Crate & Barrel. Each one of the tabletop items were designed to fit snugly into the table’s holes.
Gabriel TothFejel
Sponsor: San Francisco Design Center
Designer: Gary Hutton
Hutton’s design relies on a”Crystal Pavilion” notion. Hutton and his group built the outside frame and covered it with sheer white cloth, which grabs the LED lights onto the floor. Hutton decided to utilize all white or clear materials so that these shifting lights would be reflected through the entire space. The unique chandelier is from Louis Poulsen and the white seats are from DZINE.
Gabriel TothFejel
Hutton picked his crystal motif based on the belief that quartz crystals have good energy and healing abilities, which are very related to the Positive Health Project. Hutton found these unique quartz shapes at Sloan Miyasato and Kirby Seid. The place settings were supplied by Gump’s.
Gabriel TothFejel
Designer: Chanda Seymour Mattson
Mattson designed three distinct tables for three eras: the 1950s, the 1980s and 2011. Mattson dedicated all of the tables into an Elizabeth Taylor motif. This table represented the 1950s — when Father of the Bride with Elizabeth Taylor was released, and she was a newlywed with Conrad Hilton. Mattson established the table on both of these weddings, then added the remainder of Taylor’s husbands names to the table settings for bit of fun. Bamboo seats from Chiavari were accented with lavish purple cushions, and a traditionally styled chandelier from Gregorious | Pineo casts a soft light over the scene.
Gabriel TothFejel
The dishware and linens with this table setting are exquisite antique finds. Mattson accented the table with all flower arrangements from Kate Siegel Fine Events and topiaries from Hinc. Cakes from Elegant Cheese Cakes supplied a great final touch.
Gabriel TothFejel
This table is Mattson’s 2011 table. Considering that the Hollywood Regency style is famous for its glamour and glitz — the epitome of Taylor’s daring style — Mattson gave this table a contemporary twist. Clear glass candlesticks and lavish blue seats were located at a local consignment shop. The placemat and napkin cloth is from Robert Allen, and all of the flatware and china are from Bloomingdale’s.
Gabriel TothFejel
Sponsor: California Home + Design and 7×7 Magazine
Designer: Room Service
The designers at Room Service created a Garden of Eden themed table, with show-stopping derriere-shaped chairs molded into male and female types to represent Adam and Eve, and bowls filled with with green apples. The custom acrylic tables were filled with flowers and succulents, and artificial grass was put underfoot to allude to the Garden of Eden.
Sponsor: Climb Real Estate
Designer: Applegate Tran
Designers Vernon Applegate and Gioi Tran combined contrasting looks and styles in a pleasantly laid back, California-chic table. A picture black and white abstract mural dominates one wall, whereas the place settings and rattan seats from Coup D’ Etat are a bit more subtle.
Gabriel TothFejel
Rather than a daring light fixture, Applegate Tran installed a gorgeous custom floral arrangement, designed by a group member. This intricate design hangs delicately over the table, providing pops of cheerful yellow into the setting.
Gabriel TothFejel
Designer: Aaron Silverstein
Silverstein’s table was motivated by the craftspeople of the hometown in Marin County in the 1970s. Though he was not a fan of this appearance when he was younger, he fell in love with all the design of these crafts and ideas later in life.
The table consists of reclaimed Indonesian teak beams, and the base is molded from blackened steel. The seats can also be framed in blackened steel and woven with sea grass. Silverstein made the lamp colors from Nomex — a fireproof paper used to line firefighters’ suits.
Gabriel TothFejel
Silverstein’s colour and material palette has been inspired by natural materials. Silverstein made everything about this table but for the abalone shells (that he polished into a sparkling pearled hue) and the napkins. The cups and plates are ceramic and the flatware is made from cut, forged and polished stainless steel.
Gabriel TothFejel
Designer: LabExperiment and Aldea Home
This playhouse diner was one of the very lively designs at this year’s event. A thick cardboard outside was created in a fashion much like youth playhouses made from cardboard boxes. Doodles decorate the sides, while the white and black palette leaves a little room for imagination.
Gabriel TothFejel
The interior of the playhouse is decidedly grown up. Textiles, products and wallpaper were supplied by Aldea Home. Quirky creature masks at each place setting invited diners to open for their inner child.