8 Fantasy Dining Room Designs
Get ideas for your own over-the-top dinner party from the creations at San Francisco's Dining By Design Event
For the past 11 years, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) has put on Dining By Design events nationwide. These events are full of eye candy — designers pull out all the stops to showcase amazing, one-of-a-kind themed tabletops for two nights. The 2011 San Francisco event was no exception. While some tables caught the eye with their vibrant color palettes, others stunned with their intricate custom products. Take a peek at some of our favorite tables, and get inspired for your own holiday tablescape.
DIFFA donated all proceeds from the event to the UCSF Positive Health Program at San Francisco General Hospital. Photos by Gabriel TothFejel
DIFFA donated all proceeds from the event to the UCSF Positive Health Program at San Francisco General Hospital. Photos by Gabriel TothFejel
Different types of ground cover provided by Wheeler Zamaroni were placed in a shallow tray under the table. The table itself was covered with artificial turf and accented with various 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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San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2011: Living Areas
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Designer and sponsor: Kravet
Francois Simard, Kravet corporate image designer, used contrasting tones of purple and green Kravet fabric in this colorful and cozy booth to create a vibrant and eclectic looking table. The table is designed to create a more intimate lounge-like dining space. Despite the brilliant color palette, light was the main inspiration in this design — the table has numerous holes cut into it so that light can filter through to the royal purple carpeting.
Francois Simard, Kravet corporate image designer, used contrasting tones of purple and green Kravet fabric in this colorful and cozy booth to create a vibrant and eclectic looking table. The table is designed to create a more intimate lounge-like dining space. Despite the brilliant color palette, light was the main inspiration in this design — the table has numerous holes cut into it so that light can filter through to the royal purple carpeting.
The candles on the custom table are from Restoration Hardware and the plates at each setting are from Crate & Barrel. All of the tabletop items were designed to fit snugly into the table's holes.
Sponsor: San Francisco Design Center
Designer: Gary Hutton
Hutton's design is based on a "Crystal Pavilion" concept. Hutton and his team built the outside frame and covered it with sheer white fabric, which catches the LED lights on the floor. Hutton decided to use all white or clear materials so that these changing lights would be reflected through the entire space. The unique chandelier is from Louis Poulsen and the white chairs are from DZINE.
Designer: Gary Hutton
Hutton's design is based on a "Crystal Pavilion" concept. Hutton and his team built the outside frame and covered it with sheer white fabric, which catches the LED lights on the floor. Hutton decided to use all white or clear materials so that these changing lights would be reflected through the entire space. The unique chandelier is from Louis Poulsen and the white chairs are from DZINE.
Hutton chose his crystal theme based on the belief that quartz crystals have good energy and healing powers, which are very relevant to the Positive Health Project. Hutton found these unique quartz shapes at Sloan Miyasato and Kirby Seid. The place settings were provided by Gump's.
Designer: Chanda Seymour Mattson
Mattson designed three separate tables for three eras: the 1950s, the 1980s and 2011. Mattson dedicated all of the tables to an Elizabeth Taylor theme. This table represented the 1950s — when Father of the Bride with Elizabeth Taylor was released, and she was still a newlywed with Conrad Hilton. Mattson based the table on both of these weddings, then added the rest of Taylor's husbands names to the table settings for bit of fun. Bamboo chairs from Chiavari were accented with plush purple cushions, and a traditionally styled chandelier from Gregorious | Pineo casts a soft light over the scene.
Mattson designed three separate tables for three eras: the 1950s, the 1980s and 2011. Mattson dedicated all of the tables to an Elizabeth Taylor theme. This table represented the 1950s — when Father of the Bride with Elizabeth Taylor was released, and she was still a newlywed with Conrad Hilton. Mattson based the table on both of these weddings, then added the rest of Taylor's husbands names to the table settings for bit of fun. Bamboo chairs from Chiavari were accented with plush purple cushions, and a traditionally styled chandelier from Gregorious | Pineo casts a soft light over the scene.
The dishware and linens for this table setting are all exquisite antique finds. Mattson accented the table with flower arrangements from Kate Siegel Fine Events and topiaries from Hinc. Cakes from Elegant Cheese Cakes provided a perfect final touch.
This table is Mattson's 2011 table. Since the Hollywood Regency style is known for its glamour and glitz — the epitome of Taylor's bold style — Mattson gave this table a contemporary twist. Clear glass candlesticks and plush blue chairs were found at a local consignment shop. The placemat and napkin fabric is from Robert Allen, and all of the flatware and china are from Bloomingdale's.
Sponsor: California Home + Design and 7x7 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 forms 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 placed underfoot to allude to the Garden of Eden.
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 forms 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 placed 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 graphic black and white abstract mural dominates one wall, while the place settings and rattan chairs from Coup D' Etat are a bit more subtle.
Designer: Applegate Tran
Designers Vernon Applegate and Gioi Tran combined contrasting looks and styles in a pleasantly laid back, California-chic table. A graphic black and white abstract mural dominates one wall, while the place settings and rattan chairs from Coup D' Etat are a bit more subtle.
Instead of a bold light fixture, Applegate Tran installed a beautiful custom floral arrangement, designed by a team member. This intricate design hangs delicately above the table, providing pops of cheerful yellow to the setting.
Designer: Aaron Silverstein
Silverstein's table was inspired by the craftspeople of his hometown in Marin County in the 1970s. Although he wasn't a fan of the look when he was younger, he fell in love with the style of these crafts and ideas later in life.
The table is made of reclaimed Indonesian teak beams, and the base is molded out of blackened steel. The chairs are also framed in blackened steel and woven with sea grass. Silverstein made the lamp shades out of Nomex — a fireproof paper used to line firefighters' suits.
Silverstein's table was inspired by the craftspeople of his hometown in Marin County in the 1970s. Although he wasn't a fan of the look when he was younger, he fell in love with the style of these crafts and ideas later in life.
The table is made of reclaimed Indonesian teak beams, and the base is molded out of blackened steel. The chairs are also framed in blackened steel and woven with sea grass. Silverstein made the lamp shades out of Nomex — a fireproof paper used to line firefighters' suits.
Silverstein's color and material palette was inspired by natural materials. Silverstein made everything on this table except for the abalone shells (which he polished to a sparkling pearled hue) and the napkins. The plates and cups are ceramic and the flatware is made from cut, forged and polished stainless steel.
Designer: LabExperiment and Aldea Home
This playhouse diner was one of the more playful designs at this year's event. A thick cardboard exterior was designed in a style similar to childhood playhouses made of cardboard boxes. Doodles adorn the sides, while the black and white palette leaves a little room for imagination.
This playhouse diner was one of the more playful designs at this year's event. A thick cardboard exterior was designed in a style similar to childhood playhouses made of cardboard boxes. Doodles adorn the sides, while the black and white palette leaves a little room for imagination.
The inside of the playhouse is decidedly grown up. Textiles, wallpaper and products were all supplied by Aldea Home. Quirky animal masks at each place setting encouraged diners to open up to their inner child.
Shades of Green was one of the only landscape architects at this year's event, and lived up to the honor by creating a jaw-dropping 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 great part to the throne-like chairs. These unique chairs are each made of a single piece of wood, bringing this table to an entirely new level.