Vanessa Deleon:VDA Designs

DIFFA, (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) held their 4th Annual Picnic by Design in style at the Ramscale Penthouse Studio located in the West Village. The landmark building was the quintessential backdrop with its indoor and outdoor areas allowing attendees spectacular views of lower Manhattan, and the Hudson River. The summer soiree sponsored by Robert Allen, Interior Design and the New York Design Center brought guests to sample fare and cocktails from prominent restaurants in the city including STK, Murray’s Cheese and FIKA and to bid on the fabulous baskets created by designers, all for a good cause.

Stylish baskets filled with eye-catching accessories and vibrant fabrics were on display as well as unique sometimes geometric baskets and one resembling headphones!  This year, DIFFA Picnic by Design raised $40K to support in the fight against AIDS/HIV. Since its inception in 1984, DIFFA has granted over $40 million to hundreds of associations throughout the U.S. “I can imagine nothing better than a festive urban picnic where we enjoy the fruits of our designed labor—a.k.a those amazing basket creations!!!!! —While helping others in need, “ noted Cindy Allen, DIFFA Chairman of the Board and Editor-in Chief of Interior Design. “It proves once again how we all can rally together, designing unique experiences that also make a DIFFA-rence.” This year’s assortment of designer baskets included Michele Alfano of MoDamde, Kristen Ward Guerrero/Sargenti Architects, ARCHIVES id, Carl Lana for Cliffton Dry, Elk Collective, CetraRuddy, Rixner Wright Interiors, Gensler, Urtensils, and Courtney Sloane Design. To add a fun competition, a panel of judges selected ARCHIVES id, Michele Alfano/MoDmade NY and Gensler as the top three most impressive baskets to be featured on InteriorDesign.net. To learn more about DIFFA and the organization click here.

Photo: Erik Bardin