What a treat. Editorial Assistant, MacKenzie Geidt, and I felt a tiny bit under-dressed in our rushed-straight-from-work garb—next to some of the oscar-red-carpet-ready dresses—but we had a fun time perusing the 44 dining room scenes that transformed the four floors of the SFDC Galleria nonetheless. The event showcased unique designer installations and culminated with a fancy dinner right on scene. Kinda felt like we were eating in a museum exhibit.

The themes ranged from pool-side casual (complete with lifeguards) to stainless steal stove-top dining—yes—right on stovetops. We adored the “Dinner on Deadline” scene by 7x7 magazine, with calendar placemats and napkin-wrapped pencil holders.

But MacKenzie said it just right: "The best vignettes were the most imaginative and transporting: a masked Venetian carnivale party, Truman Capote’s literary salon, Marie Antoinette’s rococo decadence, and a tented meal in Marrakesh with hookahs and kumquat tree centerpieces. My favorites were the ones that felt like an escape from reality."

Event proceeds benefit DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS).

Here are a few highlights.

More images and info here.

Elle Decor