Since Malaya’s independence in 1957, the country’s colonial heritage has been overshadowed by a pre-colonial narrative of national identity. Yet, for over two centuries, Penang has been a site where Western elements have been incorporated into local cultures. This chapter explores how aspects of Western culture became integral to Penang’s heritage, using three distinctive mansions, each an iconic example of George Town’s built environment, to show how European and Asian architectural styles were blended and adapted to the local climate. It also examines how Western-style wedding receptions contribute to an emic understanding of the ‘colonial’ as an imagined lifestyle, materialised through the restoration of these buildings. Further, the practice of afternoon tea, initially a British colonial custom, was integrated into local habits by Jawi Peranakan, a local elite group. This non-European elite transformed colonial elements into their own, demonstrating how their high status enabled them to create a heritage through ‘mimetic practices’.