Design, Food and Charity all rolled up at DIFFA Picnic by Design 2017

Hygge Basket- Michele Alfano Design and Tiago Fonseca

Last Wednesday DIFFA -DesignIndustries Foundation Fighting AIDS hosted a fun filled Picnic By Design event celebrating creative expression while raising funds and engaging designers in DIFFA’s mission to further the fight against HIV/AIDS. This year $50,000 was raised to support DIFFA’s grants to HIV/AIDS direct service organizations and programs in New York City and across the country. Nearly 250 people filled the Stage 48 rooftop, to come see 22 leading designers who created and donated vibrant, themed picnic baskets filled with picnic treats and essentials for attendees to bid on and win in the Picnic By Design auction.

Hygge Basket- Michele Alfano Design and Tiago Fonseca

Credit Images: Erik Bardin

This year I entered the HYGGE Modern Basket, inspired by the Danish philosophy of Hygge, translating the elements of my DXV space into my Picnic by Design basket. Tiago Fonseca of course was my partner in crime again building with beautiful craftsmanship. 

Hygge Basket- Michele Alfano Design

Hygge is a feeling of happiness and well-being. To achieve a sense of Nordic coziness, I balanced light colored materials with geometric pattern,  a pop of color and nature.  To depict the landscape of Copenhagen, the angled lines of the basket works in concert with a customized wood coastline Pangea map of Copenhagen - which was customized specifically for the basket. Thank you Pangea maps!

All the senses are touched with elements representing earth, water, and fire. So, whether you are sipping wine, eating good food or enjoying yourself with good friends, the key to this sensorial picnic design is to elevate your picnic experience and heighten the simple pleasures of life. That is Hygge!

Thankyou to HORNE for the gorgeous flatware, and Robert Allen for the beautiful fabrics Artworld Indigo, Tessa Techtonic and Tessa Stitch blue.

Thankyou to Cindy Allen, Editor in Chief Interior Design Magazine who purchased my basket design!

Michele Alfano, Tiago Fonseca and Cindy Allen

Thanks to my friends and supporters of DIFFA Picnic by Design:

Having a blast with Lori Dolnick, Deborah Von Donop, Michele Alfano, 
Kristen Sawyer , Cory Berwanger, Tiago Fonseca, Tyler Wisler, Leanne Wood Newman

Michele Alfano and Michelle Radley of JM Lifestyles

Michele Alfano, Tiago Fonseca, Deborah Von Donop, Guy Tunnicliffe

Here are some of my fave baskets from the 2017 designers:

jesGORDON/properFUN x Dirt Cobain

NPZ Style & Décor

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

“DragCon Basket” styled by Tyler Wisler 

Vanessa Deleon Associates

Stillwell Events NYC with Elegant Affairs NYC

Scott Brogan Group

Antoinette Loupé, Canard Inc

Stacy Garcia Inc.

Ted Moudis Associates

Credit Images: Erik Bardin

Thank you to the sponsors: Blanco, Bolon, Design Lab @ Bell Works, DXV, DRS Associates, EGE, Flaneur, Innomark, Maya Romanoff, NTT Industries, New York Design Center, StudioTK, Robert Allen Duralee Group and The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show.

All you need is Love: DIFFA DINING by DESIGN 2017

Fight. For life,for love. Roche Bobois + Gensler 

For 20 years, DIFFA National has invited renowned designers and brands to transform a raw space into an inventive dining-scape for its annual fundraiser - DINING BY DESIGN. #DBD20. It happened over this past weekend at Pier 94 in conjunction with the Architectural Digest Home Show  where the mission is to raise awareness and help the support to fight against those living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. 

Moi and Kathy Sandler  having some reflective fun off 

of Rockwell Groups Sunset Dichroic glass!

I felt honored to be a part of the steering committee this year. There was enormous talent and I love how a community of people come together to eat and celebrate design in a highly creative forum. Besides Cocktails by Design and the Dinner Gala, you can visit the silent auction online where you can place bids on an amazing variety of designer furniture, exclusive trips  to signature pieces of art. Click here by Monday evening March 20th.

I was standing near David Rockwell of Rockwell Group and Cindy Allen, Editor in Chief of INTERIOR DESIGN MAGAZINE and I felt the power in their presence so I snapped a pic. 

All you need is Love reminds us what's important

INTERIOR DESIGN

 Picture of a picture - Cocktails Dining by Design in Mirmir picture booth

 Moi and Deborah von Donop 

The creation of intimate, unique dining vignettes were cutting edge and had ingenious creativity! Scroll down and be impressed and inspired by some of my faves... 

Sculptural At from found objects. Parsons The New School for Design

The push and pull represents the fight prevention and cure of AIDS. Perkins + Will, SteelCase. Coalesse, Designtex, Empire Ofiice & Arktura.

 Manmade vs Natural. Design Within in Reach designed by Language Dept.

Light and Technology FLORIM with Messaana O'Rorke. 

 Desert at Dusk with projection on Cacti. Rockwell Group with Ovando

 Focus on Art. Twyla with Design Ed Granger

 Art of Craft. Sunbrella + Coral & Tusk

 Design Process through the lens of a kitchen. AJ Madison& Viking Range + ODA NY

 Urban life. Tai Ping and Designer Andre Fu

Light and Color merges to create unity

New York School of Interior Design

 Natural, Recycled and unexpected. Blue Ocean Design & Charleston Limewash

Nightlife. Pratt Institute with Tyler Wisler

Some party. New York Times designed by Liaigre with Douglas Little.

  Reflections. Materials Inc, Steelite + Tzelan.

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PICNIC BY DESIGN 2016 AT MERCANTILE ANNEX NYC

Design, Food and Charity is a great combination for a Fall event. It will be my fifth year participating in DIFFA's Picnic By Design. I am very connected to this charity and was able to work behind the scenes on the steering committee too. What an awesome event 2016 will be.... amazing sponsors, donations and designers! Picnic By Design redefines the concept of a traditional picnic where 20 designers come together to create innovative picnic basket experiences that are sold online in advance with proceeds benefiting DIFFA. Thank you to the sponsors for making this event happen!! 

SEPTEMBER 7, 2016
6PM-9PM
MERCANTILE ANNEX
517  WEST 37TH STREET NEW YORK, NY

Purchase your tickets

Here is a sneek peek of my Molecular basket design for this years event:

The Molecular basket represents how we are all made out of atoms -  our bodies and the universe.  There is more to the universe than meets the eye.  It is by following the light that the vast universe is made of 5% atoms, 70% dark energy and 25% invisible dark matter.  We stand on the brink of great discoveries and we always will as long as we keep exploring whether it be the unmeasurable unknown or debilitating diseases like AIDS.  The basket stands as a beacon of hope.

I will be taking over DIFFA's Instagram account on TODAY Sunday September 4th. Please follow along and give me a shout out: @DIFFANATIONAL.

Special thanks to the following sponsors: DXV, DRS and Associates, Corbett, Troy lighting, Mr. Bing and Regal Wine Imports who so generously donated to the cause and event!

Thanks! Michele

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DIFFA Picnic by Design Competition 2015

Its Picnic time, well Picnic by Design time on August 5th at Ramscale Studios, 6-9pm. Tickets are still available here. Proceeds from ticket and basket sales will help support DIFFA in its fight against HIV/AIDS. There is an impressive lineup of sponsors, designers and judges for the 4th annual Picnic by Design event. The event will feature design pairing with delicious food,cocktails and wine.  All designers were asked to design a basket that followed a theme of their choice. I knew I wanted to do something that was music inspired. I just got back from New Orelans Jazz fest and the whole experience was nothing less than awesome.  I decided that the basket had to transform in some way so why not transform into a boombox? I worked with Five Star Millwork who once again brought my idea to life Transformable Headphone Basket by MoDmade NY | MoD Design Guru Thank you to the wonderful sponsor Robert Allen for the amazing fabrics!! Jazz Age Curacao Tropic Storm Molten Merry Maze Calypso Blue For a fun twist, a panel of design experts will evaluate each basket and the winner will be featured on InteriorDesign.net. The designers are up for an exciting challenge as a panel of judges, made up of design and hospitality industry tastemakers, will be on-hand to select the top three most impressive baskets. Jury members will judge the baskets according to the following criteria: most stylish, most functional for a picnic, most outside-of–the-box (or basket!) design. The jury includes: Cindy Allen, chairman of DIFFA and editor-in-chief of Interior Design; Louise Vongerichten, head of development at the acclaimed Chef’s Club US; Christophe Rammant, president of EGE & Bolon; Stephanie Goto, principal of STEPHANIEGOTO and Barry Richards, principal and studio leader at Rockwell Group. I cant wait to see all the baskets!! Additionally, DIFFA is hosting a social campaign, #ShowUsYourPicnic, that invites people across the country to join the fun picnic festivities.  Here are some images from last year: Hollymount Ltd. The exciting list of designers for 2015 include:  Byron C. James-Rodrigues for House of Oasis; Kristen Ward Guerrero/Sargenti Architects; ARCHIVES id; Cheryl Umbles Interior Design; Nile Johnson Interior Design; Antoinette Loupe Interiors; Hollymount Ltd.; Christina Caughey/Cristina Mary Designs; Vanessa DeLeon of Vanessa DeLeon Associates; Carl Lana for Cliffton Dry; Elk Collective; CetraRuddy; Rixner Wright Interiors; Gensler; Urtensils; Courtney Sloane Design; and Mong/Tordorora and me, Michele Alfano of MoDmade NY| MoD Design Guru.  Byron C. James-Rodrigues for House of Oasis Michele Alfano of MoD Design Guru Thank you to all the amazing sponsors!! Picnic By Design would not be possible without the generosity of event sponsors, which include: EGE; Poggenpohl; Robert Allen; Quadrille; Kravet; Urtensils; and Hedgehouse, whose wares will be incorporated into the picnic baskets and throughout the event venue.  The event is also sponsored by Interior Design and the New York Design Center. Offering a gourmet taste of NY, the picnic will feature food and spirits from FIKA; STK; Murray’s Cheese; Baked by Melissa; Kind; Cliffton Dry; Harlem Brewing; and Oyster Bay.

Design, Food and Charity: DIFFA Picnic by Design Summer Event 2014

Images from DIFFA Picnic by Design 2013

Design, Food and Charity is a great combination for a summer event. It will be my third year participating in DIFFA's Picnic By Design. This event rocks and this year I was able to workbehind the scenes on the steering committee. What an awesome event 2014 will be.... amazing sponsors, donations and designers! Picnic By Design redefines the concept of a traditional picnic where 40 designers come together to create innovative picnic basket experiences that are sold online in advance with proceeds benefiting DIFFA. Guests who purchase a basket  will enjoy a dinner, wine and desert for two under the stars on an urban rooftop. They will be amazed by a truly unique picnic setting! 

Wednesday, August 13, 2014 6:30-10:30pm

Midtown Loft & terrace 267 Fifth Avenue @ 29th street

Purchase your picnic basket for two here


Designers are sharing their designs on DIFFA's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest! Check out some inspiration!

Here's a sneak peek of MoD Design Guru's picnic.... Farm-chic represents the wheelbarrow to table/picnic experience.  The mood will be set with reclaimed oak, Robert Allen fabrics ( one of the key sponsors) and firefly LED lighting. 

Event is Sponsored by Bolon, Robert Allen , Poggenpohl,
Canard Inc., Interior Design Magazine & New York Design Center

Participating designers include: Antoinette Loupe _ Aesthete & Tastemaker, Archives ID, Atelier nnd/Nicole Dufour DuRocher, B+N Industries, Barbara Fina – Fina Design LLC., Brad Ford ID, Bryon C. James for House of Oasis, Cheryl Umbles, CRD Associates, Dan Mazzarini and Brian Humphrey of BHDM Design, Danielle Colding Design, Dustin & Paris, Gensler, Hollymount Ltd., Homestories,HUBLEY DESIGN INTERIORS, HUX HUX Design, Inc.Architecture & Design, Jennifer Flanders Inc., Jeremiah Brent, Johanna Barger,Jonathan Berger Interior Design, Julie Schuster Design Studio, Kristen Guerrero, Lindsey Coral Harper Interior Design, Matthew David Celebrations, Maurice Assouline – Creativa Design, Mee Tran Studio, Michelle Slovak, Design and Decoration, Mod Design Guru,Nile Johnson Interior Design, Patrick Mele, Richard A. Baquero Interior Design Inc., Samantha Knapp for Tigerlily’s, Samuel Masters,Simple Dwellings by Elizabeth Braha, The 3rd Floor Lab, Think Fabricate, Tina Rachmandani Creative, VANESSA DELEON, West Chin, and Workshop/APD.

Thank you to all the terrific sponsors for the event! Woot woot!

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