Vivid Designer Tables Fill Orchid Dinner

Vivid Designer Tables Fill Orchid Dinner
It didn't really matter that the dramatic cityscape twinkled outside the Rainbow Room's windows, since all eyes (and noses) were on the creative designs that graced the tables for the New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Dinner.

Thirty-four fanciful tables graced the scene-a pastiche of work created by floral, interior, event, fashion, and retail designers-all using the requisite orchids; dramatic elements infused both the centerpieces and table settings.

Flowers aside, unusual textures and metallic references made a noticeable appearance in this year's designs.

A vibrant orange quilted cloth covered the table that Stephen Elrod created for Lee Jofa.

Silver fur showed up on the table, chair covers, and napkin rings for the Chronicles of Narnia-inspired table by Celerie Kemble, Lela Rose, and Bronson van Wyck.

An iridescent green-gold overlay blanketed the table designed by Healing Barsanti; it was embellished with biomorphic shapes stitched out of golden thread (which befit the centerpiece that integrated green orchids and pearlescent shells strung on golden wire).

Artist Michele Oka Doner employed an array of her own work-heavily textured silver vessels that held large green leaves and green orchids.

Scads of the flowers will be on view to the public when the Orchid Show opens at the garden on February 25;