From HDB Flats to Peranakan Tiles: Onlewo's Story of Turning Everyday Heritage into Contemporary Design

Mike Tay's prints look like elegant patterns from far away. But when you look closer, you see stories about Singapore, like Peranakan tiles and HDB buildings, in the details.

Everything can become a pattern, says Mike Tay, the designer behind Onlewo. Onlewo is a studio that turns local heritage into modern items for the home, clothes, and gifts.

For Mike Tay, a pattern is a way to start a conversation or make someone smile. He thinks designing a print is like writing a book.

Onlewo shared a post on social media.

Mike Tay enjoys finding and putting together different elements to create a pattern. He wants his patterns to make people feel happy and connected.

Mike Tay and his business partner Eugene Yip started Onlewo in 2015. Before this, Mike Tay worked in a company for 15 years. He never thought he would be a designer, but he liked photography and learning about printmaking.

Onlewo shared another post on social media.

Onlewo started with two things: being curious and loving life. Mike Tay has always liked colors, stories, and people. He notices details that others might miss.

Over time, Mike Tay realized that ordinary things can have emotional meaning.

One place that had a big impact on Mike Tay was Tiong Bahru, where he used to live.

When Mike Tay moved to Tiong Bahru, it felt like he went back to his childhood.

Onlewo shared a post on social media.

In Tiong Bahru, Mike Tay saw beautiful staircases, metal grilles, and old tiles.

These everyday details carry memories and emotions. They are part of who we are, but we often stop noticing them.

This realization was the start of Onlewo. The company creates products that celebrate Singapore's culture and the emotions people feel about their home.

Another important moment for Mike Tay was when he visited Hong Kong and saw the lifestyle brand Goods of Desire.

Goods of Desire turned old building facades and everyday details into colorful products. This inspired Mike Tay to do something similar.

Onlewo shared a post on social media.

When Mike Tay returned to Singapore, he saw a gap in the market. There were not many well-designed items for the home that reflected local stories.

The name 'Onlewo' comes from the Chinese phrase for 'a peaceful and happy nest'.

For Mike Tay, a nest is not just a physical home. He wants his designs to make people feel at home and connected to their memories and emotions.

Mike Tay's design style is about telling stories in a subtle way. He does not like to make loud visual statements.

His designs mix heritage with a touch of whimsy. They work well on different items like wallpaper, clothes, and accessories.

Mike Tay wants his designs to be recognizable but not too obvious. He wants people to look closer and discover new things.

Mike Tay has created exclusive designs for companies and institutions. He likes to see his prints used in unexpected ways.

One of his favorite projects was a custom mahjong set for a luxury watch brand. He also designed a room at a hotel with Peranakan-inspired wallpaper and decorations.

Mike Tay has worked on many other projects, including gifts for government agencies and custom-designed products for international partnerships.

Mike Tay is honored to work on these projects. He has represented Singapore through design at international events and showcased his collections inspired by Singapore and Peranakan culture.

When Onlewo started, Mike Tay's goals were simple. He just wanted to create beautiful and useful things.

He did not have a big plan to build a large company. Instead, he focused on growing the brand slowly and creating products with lasting meaning.

The journey was not easy for Mike Tay. As a self-taught designer, he had to build everything from scratch.

Many people were skeptical of his ideas, especially when it came to wallpaper.

Onlewo shared a post on social media.

Today, Onlewo's wallpapers can be found in many homes and offices in Singapore and overseas.

Mike Tay's own home reflects his design philosophy. It is filled with heritage-inspired items and decorative pieces.

One of his favorite items is a wallpaper featuring his late dog, Titus. It reminds him of what Onlewo is all about: creating meaningful and beautiful objects.

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