Pinky Tobiano is known as the chemist and CEO of Progressive Laboratories and Qualibet Testing Services. Progressive Laboratories produce veterinary medicines, while Qualibet Testing Services provide various tests on water, medicines, drugs and feeds to ensure that manufacturers comply with the required formulation and do not adulterate their products.
Lately, however, there’s been talk about Pinky’s new hobby which is “tablescaping,” or the art of setting the table. Since she loves to entertain at home and she makes gatherings more fun by throwing themed dinners. Her inspirations for her table settings are based on the season and the occasion of the person she is hosting. If, for example, a friend loves to travel to Paris, then that friend’s dinner will be a French theme with the Eiffel Tower as the centerpiece on the dining table. For her, tablescaping is an extension of her guest’s character and personality.
It’s no surprise therefore that through the years, Pinky has amassed quite a collection of plates, silverware and flatware. Because she makes it a point to buy something unique from every country she visits, her growing collection includes plates from Fornasetti, Versace, Hermes, Bernardaud and St. Louis.
Here are some of Pinky’s tips for those who want to create their own table setting:
HAVE A THEME IN MIND when you set the table. Consider the personality of your friend and what he/she truly loves and incorporate this into the occasion you are celebrating.
COLOR plays a very significant role in your tablescape. Choose a color palette that matches your table and place accessories on the table (plates, glasses, picture frames, candles and flowers) that work well with the color palette.
HEIGHT, VOLUME AND TEXTURE. Establishing various heights, volumes and textures creates the WOW factor on your table. Pinky likes to play around with flowers, books and vases of varying heights to create an illusion which is a visual feast.
ACCESSORIES. Accessorizing is the most fun for her. She loves to use picture frames, custom jewelry, vases, candles and other fun ornaments to bring the chosen theme to life.
MUSIC. While setting the table, she plays music to inspire her. “Music brings out the artist in me,” says Pinky.
A TOUCH OF LOVE. Love is at the heart of Pinky’s tablescapes. She always personalizes her tables and makes sure that she has name cards and small gifts for each of her guests. Such are her expressions of love and gratitude for family and friends.
What started off as a hobby has now become a profession. Lately, brands like Fornasetti, Versace, Pottery Barn, West Elm and Rustan’s have asked her to do tablescapes for them. She is quick to say, however, that she cannot take on every request that comes her way. Because of her hectic schedule, she isn’t always available for tablescaping.
One of her other passions is helping the needy. She has a program called Grateful Tuesdays where she feeds sexually abused children, orphans, and the elderly every Tuesday. She finds fulfillment and happiness in being an instrument of God’s love and firmly believes that “a grateful heart is a magnet for miracles.”
With such a generous and magnanimous mindset, it’s no wonder that Pinky is so abundantly blessed.
Erratum: In my article last week, I wrote that Chef Chin Bagis was formerly with Philippine Airlines, it should have been Qatar Airways.