DIFFA’s Dining by Design fundraiser unites eye-catching talents of visionaries like Shane Walker

by Arnold Wayne Jones of Dallas Voice

DALLAS — Shane Walker remembers when he first heard about Dining by Design.

It was about three years ago, and he was visiting New York with his friend Joe Pacetti. They were invited to a dinner where they sat in a room entirely designed with Ralph Lauren accessories: Everything from the flatware to the flooring to the walls were covered in Ralph’s signature style, all auctioned off to raise money for DIFFA.

The idea wowed Walker, who for 12 years has been a florist and designer specializing in weddings and special events. He knew it was something that Big D would embrace.

“When we got back, we called Gretchen Kelly at DIFFA and said you have to do this event here,” he says.

Sure enough, they did.

Last year, the Dallas chapter of DIFFA inaugurated Dining by Design locally, inviting dozens of companies to sponsor rooms custom-designed by local decorators. Each setting then becomes a feast, with participants served a luscious meal in uniquely elegant surroundings. (Those who don’t eat there can wander through the rooms — a massive stationary fashion show for housewares.)

But even though Walker was enthusiastic about bringing Dining by Design here, last year he couldn’t participate.

“I had so many weddings I didn’t have time to do it,” he says.

So he promised to contribute a room in 2007. Little did he realize just how much would be involved in fulfilling that promise.

When Kelly contacted him about this year’s Dining by Design, she said Baccarat wanted to sponsor a table and asked if Walker could design it.

Although he has designed eight denim jackets for DIFFA over the years, Walker feels more at home working with flowers and event planning. He admits that a jacket is something he can do by himself. The table is a huge undertaking

There’s more to it than simply setting a table for dinner. Walker says when he asked DIFFA what they provided (other than a sponsor), he was told they tape off an 11-foot-by-11-foot space for him to work with. Period.

“We literally have to put in the floors,” he says. “It’s a four or five day set up — we need to bring in electricians, carpenters to build the walls, fire marshals, delivery people. There’s a lot involved. Baccarat even has its own lighting technician to come in — it’s a $25,000 chandelier.”

Walker (and the other designers and sponsors) are working to a common goal: to raise money and awareness for DIFFA. But there is a bit of pride involved, too. This is a chance for him to impress others with his queer eye.

“When I found out Baccarat was sponsoring this table, I thought how awesome would it be to do all white and crystal, to really show of their stuff,” he says. “We’re using a lot of their new designs — stuff people have not seen yet. It’s really going to be over the top.”

Walker says Baccarat couldn’t have been more generous. The entire store inventory was made available to him, including vases “that cost like six or seven thousand dollars, and these great goblets. Their crystal is very modern — probably the most contemporary of all the crystal designers.”

Walker added his own floral touches as well. In addition to the crystal, he’s shipping in all white peonies and lilies of the valley.

“We will carpet the floor in white rose petals so it appears to be floating on a white cloud of flowers,” he says of his concept. The party that purchased the table has asked that all dinner guests dress only in white.

As for what else people can expect, Walker isn’t sure. He knows people who are doing tables but hasn’t asked them what they’re doing yet, though he says he curious to see what will be out there.

“I like this event for its variety — everything from heavy traditional to Asian themes,” he says. “I do feel comfortable doing this — this leans more toward my business. But it is more intimidating than doing a jacket, because you have some of the top designers in Dallas and you want to be the most fabulous — you want yours to be remembered. I’m nervous, but I do some of my best work under pressure.”