His wife, Mary Ann, definitely thought of them as rubbish before, endearingly overwhelmed by her husband’s habit. But here, those pieces come together in a way that feels cohesive rather than chaotic. “It was a long, long time of collecting for him. And when we decided to have this restaurant, some of them finally had a place,” Mary Ann shares. There’s a warmth to it. An authenticity you cannot replicate by simply buying decor in bulk. Each corner feels curated but never forced.

An architect friend helped refine the layout, but the personality of the space remains unmistakably theirs. It’s vintage, yes, but more than that, it’s personal.

Built On Reliable Foundations

While much of Mateo’s visual identity was shaped by thoughtfully collected pieces, its structure tells another story—one built on careful planning and trusted materials. For Teodoro, a former contractor, sourcing was never a question. Wilcon Depot had long been part of his workflow, from his earliest projects to this newest venture. “Whenever we needed materials [for the schools], I’d run to the Balintawak and Sta. Maria, Bulacan branch,” he shares. That familiarity naturally carried over into Mateo.

From the tiles and sanitaryware to the finishing touches, the restaurant quietly relies on materials designed to endure. In high-traffic areas, anti-slip options such as the Saigres Baldoza Tartan Floor Tile were chosen for their safety and durability. Indoors, the wood-look Arte Ceramiche Sirocco Matte Floor Tile complements the restaurant’s vintage aesthetic while remaining practical and easy to maintain.

Accent wall tiles were selected to add texture and depth without overwhelming the space. Basel Chex Arkos White Glossy Wall Tile lines the bathroom walls, while the Basel Brick Series Outdoor Wall Tile was used on the restaurant counter and select wall sections. Even the outdoor areas were carefully finished with tiles made to withstand exposure and wear, allowing the al fresco spaces to feel as refined and cohesive as the interiors.

Beyond tiles, Wilcon also supplied the essential elements that often go unnoticed yet are vital to daily operations—from Pozzi water closets and electrical fixtures to lighting components and smaller necessities such as racks, adhesives, and sealants. Together, these details create what the owners describe as a true “one-stop shop” experience, with every component working seamlessly behind the scenes to support the space.

Equally important to the products is the service that comes with them. “It’s the convenience in buying from Wilcon,” Mary Ann shares. The reliability of Wilcon when sourcing additional materials proved crucial, especially for a project built within real timelines and practical constraints. For Teodoro, the experience goes beyond convenience. He emphasizes that the customer service Wilcon provides is what keeps him coming back. Over the years, the staff’s familiarity with him has made every transaction smooth, accommodating, and dependable.