BlogTourNYC : Day 2 (Part 2)

On the second evening that we spent in NYC as part of BlogTourNYC we went straight from the Architectural Digest Home Design Show back to the hotel to get our glad rags on before heading off to the glamorous DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Dining by Design event.

DIFFA’s 15th annual fundraiser, which raised $650,000 for charity, showcased more than 40 creative tabletop installations devised by leaders in the design community. It was a veritable feast for the eyes. Unfortunately my very limited camera skills means that most of the photos I took are pretty bad and don’t do the tables justice. Luckily though, fellow blogger Cecy J managed to capture the shots I was unable to. To see more images please head on over to Cecy J.

This was my favourite installation by far. I absolutely loved the use of books and cut outs to form unique and creative centre pieces. The Oversized books also gave the whole installation a really whimsical feel. Below is a short video in which David Stark explains his inspiration for the installation.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/39774106]

Another colourful installation that caught my eye was by Ethan Allen. I love the selection of colours in and the use of flowers and that chandelier is just gorgeous.

What I really loved about the table by the New York Times in collaboration with Design Within Reach was all the little Vitra chairs that were scattered on the table top.

Whilst black and gold is not really my style, this table by Merchandise Mart Properties & DesignLush was pretty impressive. What I loved most about it was the use of these gold slinkys as place name holders. Admittedly, the ones used here were worth thousands and thousands of dollars, but this could easily be replicated on a budget.

This table by Liebherr &  Libby Langdon is super sophisticated, but again an element of fun is introduced through the use of empty wine bottles to create a lighting installation. How fun!

I would love to hear which of these table designs is your favourite. Which one would you like to recreate for a dinner party? Or have you got any tips of your own on how to create a fab table installation for entertaining?

Massive thanks go out to the BlogTourNYC sponsors: Samuel Heath, BLANCO, Scholtes, Miele, Poggenpohl, Spirit of Sports, Big Ass Fans, Victoria & Albert Baths, Modern Aire, Jenn Aire, Rotsen Furniture, Vitra, Axor, Wallunica and Ethan Allen.