This sun-loving designer elevated her ivory IKEA SAMSÖ parasol into a gold-fringed statement piece

While we’ve already lusted over our fair share of interior-based IKEA hacks, the current summer climate has sent our radar outside – to discover the most stylish exterior project yet.

Enter Hayley Stuart, who transformed her understated IKEA SAMSÖ parasol into a tropical focal point, complete with a stylish gold-tassel fringe and hand-painted Azulejo-inspired details. This parasol oozes the escapist aesthetic we’re all, so craving – and will act as a talking point at every future Spritz-fueled party. It’s quickly becoming our favorite project of the summer. 

If you’re as inevitably excited about this parasol as we are, Hayley has shared her design tips, so you can bring it into your exteriors before the heatwave ends. However, with this SAMSÖ in our garden, our lives will always feel sunny.

IKEA SAMSÖ hack – the makeover process  

Hayley began by picking up SAMSÖ and a golden long lace trim before stapling the trimming to the parasol to ensure it would stay in place. She purchased a further 10m of fringe as she decided to ‘double up’ and give the tassel a fuller look. The parasol is approximately 7m around, so you may have some trim leftover. Hayley then attached the tassel permanently by hand sewing; however, she recommends using a glue gun as a quicker alternative. 

After adding the tassels, Hayley used emulsion paint to create a pink diamond design around the parasol. ‘Hand painting a parasol was nerve-racking because if I made a mistake, the whole thing would be ruined, so I took my time adding small details one at a time,’ Hayley says. 

When the paint dried, she designed a holder by turning a large terracotta pot upside down and covering it with Cuprinol paint. Then, with the umbrella in the stand, the transformation was complete.

This minimalist IKEA umbrella is now a boutique parasol that brings the beauty of the Amalfi Coast to exteriors everywhere. Yes, this is a modern garden idea of our jet-set dreams. Plus, to read more behind the scenes, Hayley’s blog explores the design process in detail – and there are other bespoke projects in our designer IKEA hacks guide.