DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS has been around now for over  20 years. The foundation is one of the country’s largest supporters of direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and preventive education for those at risk. Merging care and commerce, supporters of DIFFA come from all fields of fine design and the visual arts, including: architecture, fashion design, interior design, photography and consumer product design. Back in the day, the founders of DIFFA organized the "community" and they actually did something that changed peoples lives.

In 1989, i was honored and thrilled to be part of the first large scale benefit which was a designer's showhouse featuring leading designers of the day including Michael Graves, David Hockney, Wolfgang Puck, , John Saladino, Andre Putman, .........and this young guy..sort of new in the design world but making his mark.......me.

i can tell you that the experience then was pure bliss, as we all felt there was a real opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives, doing what we all did, and did well.........design. our designs made a difference and were featured in METROPOLOTAN HOME and that made a difference in other peoples lives as well.

At that first gala dinner party, i sat next to Kathleen Sullivan who was listening to the vice presidential debates.  you remember......when Dan Quail was talking about himself and comparing himself to JFK, then Lloyd Benson stepped in and said" i knew Jack Kennedy and you are no Jack Kennedy".........across from me was Brooke Shields and Shirley Macclain and the place was filled with wonderful celebrities and designers and donors.

The evening was hosted by the FABULOUS Gloria Steinham, who was dressed in a spectacular pink sleeveless ball gown who introduced  Billy Crystal who was brilliant, then Gloria cam back and simply said......"and now ladies and gentleman, i would like to introduce the only person in our country qualified to be president........Bette Midler."

the place went wild.

the divine miss M came walking out through the crowd, zig zagging through all of the tables, dressed  in a skimpy black sequin studded corset. she hit the stage, faced us all, stood there for a moment, we all grew quiet. and when she was ready, she sang with such strength, and such clarity, and such compassion. she sang with out an orchestra, or a piano, or any back up. she sang the song "friends" and there was not a dry eye in the house.

 i will never forget that experience.

segue to 2008 and i was asked to contribute to the DIFFA benefit that had transformed itself into "dining by design"

This format is wonderful, it allows more designers to participate by creating different "rooms" for guests to dine in. it also allows and offers some great opportunities for sponsorship. and BONUS, dining design travels all over the country, so go to DIFFA.org and see where they will be next and maybe they will be coming to a city near you!

Anyway, this was great, it was fun and i hope to do it again! the 3 day event was planned by the great plan A events with sponsorship that included BERRINGER WINES, BENJAMIN MOORE, HP, THE NEW YORK TIMES, GOURMET MAGAZINE, etc........(for a complete list please visit DIFFA.org)

my special thanks to Joel, Kevin and Alex at LDC design studios (www.ldcdesignstudio.com) who loaned the magnificent sunburst mirror, the mirrored cabinet and the gorgeous pale blue matching lamps, Beth at the photographers gallery  who donated 5 outstanding works by the great  John Arsenault. please go see his stuff! (www.photographersgallery.com)

I would also like to thank Neilah Meyers who's work was donated by the creative galleries (www.neilahmeyers.com)

And of course thank you to Eduardo and Rosana at the silk trading company who donated exquisite draperies, (ww.silktrading.com) Mary Ann at Wildflower lines who donated the fantastic and a little kinky chair covers (www.wildflowerlinens.com) and to Victor at divine orchids (www.divineorchids.com) and finally "the girls" Cindy, Rachael and Trudy at Mayesh wholesale flowers in carlsbad ( www.mayesh.com)

And a special thanks to Jonathan Yepez who helped me keep my head on straight!

and now........ladies and gentleman....my room!