He studied at the New York School of Interior Design and at the Parsons School of Design. He stayed in the US for 26 years and his experience as a creative director of premier companies equipped him with the skills he needed. Among the companies he worked for were: Frette, an Italian brand of home linens; and Patek Philippe, a Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches.

"Designing personal spaces is always a challenge. It is a personal experience that a designer should have with the homeowner so that he may be able to create the spaces that will suit the client’s personality," said Tesalona.

His first formal design exposure was scoring a job at Felissimo Design House, a Japanese-owned retail store in New York in 1996. He started as an assistant visual director and from there, he moved all the way up to becoming the company’s creative and visual director when it was transformed into an international showroom for contemporary design.

"It exposed me to design challenges that honed my skills in design. But more importantly, I also felt honored to have worked with high profile and up-and-coming designers in showcasing their works. When people appreciate the exhibits I design, I feel like I am making a contribution as a Filipino," he said.

His most important project for the firm was Design 21, Love Why? exhibit in Barcelona, Spain. It was a cultural exchange project in collaboration with UNESCO with designers all over the world including Kenneth Cobunpue.

"We will educate and guide the clientele how design can be part of their lifestyle from choosing the right accent pieces to putting all the right elements together to make a space work for them," says Tesalona.

JT Designs Studio is located at GF B&M Building, Aguirre St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. For more information, log on to www.tesalonadesigns.com or call 817 8518.