Designers create fanciful tablescapes for Dinner by Design 2013

Would you like to dine at a teddy bear's picnic in the woods? Or with Lucy in the Sky? With Diamonds? Or how about in a world of white?

These were just some of the options that Vancouver diners were given when they chose to attend a new fundraising dinner series.

Vancouver's inaugural GE Monogram Dinner by Design event was held in conjunction with Interior Design Show West to benefit the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation.

Needless to say, this wasn't your average dining experience. Ten designers were asked to create a visually striking dining environment for ten guests to dine upon a four-course meal from Culinary Capers. The catch was that they had to do it in a mere 24 hours. 

The results were ultra-chic and unique, with some even venturing into flights of fantasy. All were on display at a cocktail reception held at the Imperial on September 16.

Some designers took inspiration from pop songs (Filosophi did a modern take on the Beatles classic "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" complete with a boat as part of the centerpiece) or children's stories (Robert Blaney Design's playful table, which included a live tree and wooden stumps for seats, turned to the story A Teddy Bear's Picnic).

Other designers contrasted modern life with influence from a slower pace of life. Scandinavian barns provided inspiration for Sophie Burke Design's cozy, rustic tablesetting while Kelly Deck paid tribute to her grandmother and her needlework with urbane, contemporary elements.

Two tablescapes went monochromatic: Filosophi went white-on-white while début Event Design delivered a crystalline theme.

Modeski Design Agency went sexy with a design that played masculine and feminine elements off each other while Amanda Forrest Interior Design Group counterbalanced an refined and elegant setting with small skull icons. The Medina Design Group suspended a cascade of falling wine glasses above their table. Ste. Marie sought to conjure the Holy Ghost with their handsome, geometric table design.

The installations were opened to the public on September 17, and the fundraising gala dinner is being held on the evening of September 17 (which includes a Tiffany & Co. brooch worth $23,296 being raffled off).

Below are photos of the ten tablescapes. Which setting would you most like to dine at?