A nod to victims and survivors, bright colors, mirrors and glass features were some of the reoccurring elements at Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids’ (DIFFA) annual Dining By Design (DBD) fundraiser. The 18th-annual DIFFA DBD presentation was the largest to date, and the show expanded into a new, 30,000-square-foot space at Pier 92. Also new: DIFFA programming in the Architectural Digest Home Design Show theatre and docent-led tours of the dining displays. As always, the event also featured Cocktails by Design, the silent auction and the Dining by Design Gala.

Table design by Anthropologie. Photo by timothy bell.

#Lostinprint by Echo, featuring Echo's Ishana pattern, part of its Heirloom India collection with Kravet. Photo courtesy of Echo.

“With a mix of many new and longtime supporters, we hope that this uptick in participants is an indicator of increased awareness. HIV/AIDS is still a critical issue, which affects the lives of many,” said Johanna Osburn, executive director at DIFFA. “Our goal is to convey that message while offering a thought-provoking and memorable design experience that helps raise much-needed funds.”

Table by Architectural Digest. Photo by timothy bell.

Table design by Arteriors. Photo courtesy of Arteriors.

The 50 installations were by top design and fashion brands like Benjamin Moore and Cosentino designed by Tyler Wisler, Anthropologie, Arteriors Home, Roche Bobois Paris by Stephen Burks, Kravet designed by Hunt Slonem and New York Design Center designed by Marks & Frantz.

Ghislaine Viñas with HBF and HBF Textiles. Photo by timothy bell.

Two tables included a dash of awareness, in addition to exquisite design. The collaboration between Ghislaine Viñas, HBF and HBF Textiles was inspired by the Memphis Design Movement and HBF Textiles Remember Houndstooth fabric. Viñas’ design featured an oversized arrow pointing towards a giant “Zero.” The table itself featured an eclectic mix of objects, some representative of the stories of people with HIV or AIDS as told to Viñas, such as a bust and a raven. “We remember those lost to HIV/AIDS, and look forward to the day when the number of infected people is zero and the disease is a distant memory,” said Viñas.

Table by Ali Tayar, Parallel Design with Interior Design Magazine. Photo by timothy bell.

The tablescape presented by LUXE Interiors + Design and Flexform, designed by Doug Meyer, presented "Hero Portraits," a memorial to members of the design community who died from AIDS-related complications. Along with obituaries on a plaque running the length of the table, it displayed objects representative of each artist’s particular style or influence.

Table by Doug Meyer with LUXE Interiors + Design and Flexform Photo by timothy bell.

Stephen Burks for Roche Bobois Paris created a beach cabana scene centered around the Roche Bobois Traveler Chair, complete with woven canopy, sand and a bonfire, courtesy of video projection of flames by Levy Lighting in NYC.

“The six chairs provide the seating for 12 very important people, strangers to one another, yet seated cozily two per chair to experience an exquisitely prepared meal, Roche Bobois style, in support of DIFFA,” said Burks. “What could be more Art De Vivre than that?”

Stephen Burks with Roche Bobois. Photo by timothy bell.

Table by Marks & Frantz with the New York Design Center. Photo by timothy bell.

“This extraordinary event coalesces the most creative talent who bring their passion to the table, plus, we get to celebrate what we do best: eating, designing, and, most importantly, making a DIFFA-rence,” said Cindy Allen, chairman of the board and Interior Design editor in chief.

After Dining by Design New York ends, the show will travel to cities around the country. Since it began, the nationwide tour has raised $17 million for DIFFA.