Alexis LaBonte candidly admits that she's petrified of birds.

But that hasn't stopped the owner of DesignLaB Interiors from creating an entirely original bird's nest tablescape. It's inspired by the Beijing National Stadium made famous during the 2008 Summer Olympics.

"Maybe being in their nest will help me appreciate them more and not scurry away from them," LaBonte quipped in a phone interview with the Georgia Straight.

Nest will be unveiled this evening along with 14 other tablescapes created by interior designers at a cocktail party for the third annual Monogram Dinner by Design event.

It takes place at Studio 40 in the CBC building at 700 Hamilton Street. (For information about tickets, visit the website.)

At the Monogram Dinner by Design's second night on Monday (September 21), there will be a multicourse dinner for 150 people at the 15 tablescapes.

LaBonte explained that she and her team (Chris Hill of Ritchie Construction and millworker Mario Sabljak) wanted to create a safe space with an edgy side.

To accomplish this, there's a high-gloss back table with fur-lined bench seats in the booth.

That contrasts with vintage crystal glassware on the table, which LaBonte included to add more texture. 

The centrepiece features natural elements found in a nest, including feathers.

"Costwise, we're probably at seven grand at the very minimum, not including labour," LaBonte revealed.

Last week, she offered a clue on her company's Facebook page about what people might expect to see.

The write-up for the tablescape offers two dictionary definitions of "Nest":

• A bed or receptacle prepared by an animal and especially a bird for its eggs and young.

 • Combining the notion of structure, creativity and the visual casing that a nest presents, DesignLaB and Ritchie Construction have created a setting that caters to the playful nature crafted by both the artistic and logical structure of a nest.

At last year's Monogram Dinner by Design, LaBonte went with a more traditional look modelled on the Palais Garnier in Paris. It featured an elegant chandelier, black formal chairs, and a wallpapered back wall.

"This [Nest] caters to my more eccentric, creative side," she said.

On Tuesday (September 22), the 15 tablescapes will all be on display at the CBC building from noon to 5 p.m. with a suggested $20 donation. All proceeds will go to Emily Carr University + Design and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research.

Monogram Dinner by Design is part of Vancouver Design Week, which culminates with Interior Design Show West from September 24 to 27.