If you can’t get enough of seeing endless TikTok creators flip or upcycle items that would typically go straight into the garbage, we’re pleased to add another savvy DIY pro to your list of go-to users that make drop-dead gorgeous homewares.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Simonette Boekel. This Aussie TikTok legend made a name for herself after regularly posting the most aesthetically pleasing DIY projects – her TikTok feed is heaven to every decor enthusiast.

The DIY queen herself. Image Credit: @s.imonette​

Ranging from a whimsical mirror to sophisticated wall art, Simonette proves she’s a natural at crafting and on a budget too! So, if that ticked all the right boxes, then let’s just get to it!

1. A pleated table lamp

What you’ll need to get your hands on:

• A minimal lamp base
• A couple of watercolour paper (or card stock)
• A hole punch
• Some string
• Glue stick
• A LED globe
• Scissors

Start with a simple but sturdy lamp base. There are tons of different options out there, but you could reach out for a battery-operated puck-light and place it in the centre if you’re a little overwhelmed and unsure what to get. This ensures that your paper lamp won’t topple over.

It’s also essential to use thicker paper for this DIY as you wouldn’t want a flimsy lamp – that’s why watercolour paper is the best bet. And of course, it’s completely in your hands to decide which colour to use. Have fun with it!

Image Credit: Fashion Journal​

Make a paper fan (like we used to in kindergarten), folding back and forth until you reach the end of the paper. Simonette used about two to three pieces of A3 sized papers for the base of the lamp and only one for the shade. Use a glue stick to secure the edges of your fans together, creating a ring that’s wide enough to fit your lamp base.

For the shade, she followed the same process but cut her fan evenly in half before creating another shorter tube.

Hole punch the inside folds of your lampshade. So, anywhere that the paper juts in, punch a hole right through. Make sure to keep all your holes roughly the same distance from the top of your lamp.

Next, cut a generous length of string and weave it through all the holes you’ve made. Once finished, pull the string to bring the top of the lampshade closer together, creating that classic lamp silhouette we’re accustomed to. Make a quick knot and trim the ends of the string once you’ve achieved the shape you fancy.

Carefully place the lampshade on top of the base and then cut a slit at the back for your cord to go through. Add a LED bulb as it’s the most secure one to use, and you’ve got yourself a stylish lamp!

2. Pedestal Bowl

What you’ll need to get your hands on:

• A bowl
• A tumbler
• Some glue (any would be okay but Simonette used hot glue)
• A can of paint (this is optional!)

If you hate DIY projects that are overly complicated, we can assure you that you can pull this one off even with your eyes closed! (okay, but maybe not if you don’t want to get paint everywhere…)

Image Credit: Fashion Journal​

Grab any bowl that you’re not using anymore or buy a really cheap one and take a small cylindrical container that appropriately fits it as a stand. Simonette used an old candle container and a $2 bowl from a thrift store.

Then, all you’ve got to do is glue the two pieces together! If you want to customise it by painting it in your favourite colour or maybe adding a few gems, feel free to do so. Simonette advised that if you want to achieve a faux ceramic finish, you can coat it with acrylic paint along with a baking soda mixture. Easy-peasy, eh?

3. Groovy round mirror

What you’ll need to get your hands on:

• A small mirror (it’ll be easier if it’s already round, but any shape will do)
• A few pieces of cardboard
• A garden hose
• Some spray paint
• A masking tape
• A hot glue gun

Begin with a small mirror. Simonette happened to have a small round mirror laying around unused, but you can always purchase a cheap one from the store or from op shops if you don’t have any spare.

Remove the attachments on your hose and measure its length around your mirror. Proceed by cutting each section and securing the ends with a small amount of masking tape, before moving on to the next step. She ended up making about 10 rings around her small mirror.

Image Credit: Fashion Journal​

Take your largest hose ring and trace it onto some scrap cardboard before cutting it out. This serves as a base and gives you something to attach the rings to. Then, measure and mark the centre of your cardboard circle before using your hot glue gun to secure the mirror in the middle of the cardboard.

After that, glue each individual ring you created around the mirror and onto the cardboard backing. Once everything is perfectly in place, cover the centre mirror with some tape (or plastic) and move the item to a well-ventilated area for painting.

Ensure the masking tape securing the edges is laying as flat as possible. If you want an even smoother finish, you can use a combination of a joint compound or grout and sandpaper to achieve a seamless look before painting.

Or if you’d much rather get it all over and done with, you can just skip that step and proceed to spray paint your mirror in your desired colour. Let it dry overnight, peel off the cover from your mirror and hang it on the wall. Hooray!

4. Mushroom Floor Lamp

What you’ll need to get your hands on:

• An Ikea Blenda Blank Salad Bowl
• An Ikea Hektogram Floor Lamp
• A secondhand or cheap lampshade
• Some hot glue
• A LED globe
• A can of spray paint (this is optional!)

Image Credit: Fashion Journal​

First things first, drop by your local Ikea to get a Blanda Blank serving bowl and a Hektogram Floor Lamp. Simonette used the 36cm bowl, but if you want to make a table lamp instead you could always opt for the smaller ones.

Next, look for a cheap or secondhand lampshade and remove it from the metal framing.

Video Credit: @s.imonette​

Assemble the floor lamp from Ikea, leaving aside the plastic shade that comes with it.

Proceed by attaching the metal framing from the other lampshade to the inside of your Blanda serving bowl with some hot glue. If you want to spray paint your lamp, now is the ideal time to do so. However, Simonette preferred to leave hers in the colour silver. She recommends using black or a nice pastel colour.

Once the glue (and the paint if you used some) are dry, assemble it as you normally would with a regular lamp – place your lampshade on top followed by your LED globe inside.

5. Inexpensive Wall Art

What you’ll need to get your hands on:

• A framed art print from Kmart or the op shop
• Some acrylic paint
• A few brushes
• A masking tape

Wall art can be pretty costly, so if you’ve been meaning to get one but you’ve only got a certain budget, the best choice would be to simply make it yourself!

Buy a pre-framed canvas from Kmart (these are usually under $20) and decide what you want to paint.

Simonette said she wanted to make a Matisse landscape inspired painting, so she grabbed several acrylic paints while she was shopping at Kmart and took every colour she could possibly need.

Image Credit: Fashion Journal​

She also suggested planning beforehand by looking up a few artwork inspirations on Pinterest (or anywhere on the internet) and finding one you would love to recreate would make things easier – just so you know which colours to buy and minimise possible errors.

When you’re ready, cover the frames with some tape to avoid getting paint on them. Finally, paint over the existing art and let your creative juices flow! When you’re satisfied, peel the tape off the frames and show off your masterpiece.

Which hack is your favourite? Share it with us in the comments!

Want to see Simonette’s full TikTok video? Watch it below:

Video Credit: @s.imonette​

 

[Ricci]

I'm sorry to be a party pooper but none of these projects particularly lights my fire!