Table Top Design Trends from DIFFA 2010

This year marks the 13th year for DIFFA's National Tour of Dining By Design. Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is one of the nation's largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventive education for those at risk.  They find their funding via design focused partnerships and events showcasing design and creativity. DIFFA has already granted over $38 million to hundreds of AIDS service organizations nationwide, and keeps doing this important job while being a design trendsetter at the same time.

 

 

Every year DIFFA organizes the National Tour, Dining By Design, a unique design show where designers create a dining experience and create table tops and the entire "dining room" experience in a booth. People can attend the event to see the table top designs and gather around good food served as part of the Dining By Design experience. This year the tour kicked off in New York, and was just recently in Kansas City. You will have to wait until the fall to catch up with the tour in Chicago or San Francisco.

 

I was able to attend the New York kickoff event and as a lover of design, snapped around 300 photos. There were so many amazing table top designs, and it is impossible to even try to name the "best of show" picks. But what I did recognize though are four design trends that were present in several table top designs.

 

DESIGN TREND: PLAYFUL

 

 

Playful design is absolutely one of the home design trends this year! Bring on the not-so-hidden Mickeys, add some action with wall decals, create a room for circus fun or entertain in polo club style. Even if you don't want these as permanent fixtures, playful style is great for entertaining and dressing up your home or dining room for parties. 

 

 

DESIGN TREND: RED

 

 

 

Even though turquoise is the color of the year, red was the trendy color at DIFFA. I'm sure it has something to do with the red ribbon for AIDS support, but also with the fact that the 80's are in. Remember how hot red was in the 80's..? I do not miss the red, white and black industrial style combo that was in back then, but I do like to incorporate red in some form. The top picture is from a cool room inspired by Little Red Riding Hood - there is even a wolf-moon made out of plywood. Like I said above, playful is in!

Read more about the red color trend.

 

DESIGN TREND: ECO NATURAL

 

 

Ecological design trend is not going anywhere, I think it is here to stay. I hope it is here to stay! There were several design elements made of recycled products and reused materials. Natural wood, including bamboo and repurposed wood, were big hits. What I also noticed - Asian inspiration is becoming more and more attached with the eco trend, and origami was seen on a few natural eco table top designs. While I don't quite understand the concept of using paper in eco design (it doesn't seem that ecological or lasting) but it sure looks beautiful in the paper lanterns and origami birds above. 

 

 

DESIGN TREND: MODERN CHIC

 

 

There were so many beautiful and serene modern table top designs that I loved, but what I noticed is that the sleek modern look had partnered up with whimsy and dazzle. Many of the modern style installations also included some sparkle, or a hint of gold or silver.

 

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