A 5-Minute Cane DIY for Your Ramadan Table (and Beyond)

Jomana Siddiqui started her online stationery company, ModernEID, in 2011 to create party goods and other celebration products that serve underrepresented American Muslims. Her brand, which makes everything from dry-erase advent signs to calligraphy gift tags, has since collaborated with Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Jet.com, and Walmart.com. She is also the voice behind A Happy Blog.

Traditionally Ramadan—the ninth month of the Islamic calendar that is observed by Muslims across the world as a time of fasting, prayer, and reflection—is all about community: getting together in the evenings and gathering around food. And while the last few years the holiday (taking place April 1 to May 2) has been different because of the pandemic, I am still really into decorating my family’s house. It’s customary to have a predawn meal (referred to as suhur) and a nightly meal that breaks the fast (called iftar), so the dining table is central to it all. 

Lately I’ve been gravitating toward colors and materials that are ultra-cozy (think: creams, whites, and cane webbing). With being cooped up at home, I think people are craving that relaxed atmosphere, so this Ramadan I started my table setting with a sandy-toned runner and evenly spaced my centerpieces down the length of the table, filling in the gaps with pampas grass and dried palm leaves. Completing it all: natural wood chargers and platters that will be dotted with dates and these three super-simple DIYs you’ll want to keep out year-round.

Half-Moon Cane Wall Art

The Islamic calendar is a lunar one, so images of the moon signal to everyone that Ramadan has begun. Still, I wanted to interpret it in a not-so-obvious way. 

The Supplies

• One 18-inch wood semicircle shape
• Tacky glue
• Cane webbing
• Foam brush

The How-To

1. Cut the cane webbing to fit your semicircle shape.
2. Using the foam brush, apply glue evenly to the wood surface and to one side of the cane webbing.
3. Place the glued sides of the cane and wood together and lay them flat, cane side down.
4. Weigh down the wood semicircle using heavy books until everything is dry (about one hour).
5. Apply Command picture hanging strips to the back of the artwork and hang it on the wall.

Faux Ceramic Art

To complete my modern take on moon-inspired wall decor, I covered a slightly smaller semicircle shape in terracotta-toned paint, using a special technique to achieve a ceramic-like look. 

The Supplies

• Acrylic paint in the color of your choice
• One 16-inch wood semicircle shape
• Baking soda
• Foam brush

The How-To

1. Mix the paint and baking soda (a ratio of one cup of paint to 1/4 cup baking soda is best) together in a disposable cup.
2. Using the foam brush, apply the paint evenly to the wood semicircle using horizontal strokes.
3. Allow the piece to dry thoroughly (approximately one hour).
4. Apply Command picture hanging strips to the back and hang it on the wall. 

Terrazzo Moon Lamp 

Another way to repeat the curvy shape: globe lamps. The base of this lamp is a basic shipping tube you can pick up at any craft store. By putting a puck light inside it, it will illuminate, but it’s battery operated, which makes it super-simple (no wires necessary).

The Supplies

• Terrazzo patterned peel-and-stick wallpaper
• Straight-sided glass vase and/or shipping tube
• 6-inch glass globe shade
• Puck light or electric votive

The How-To

1. Lay the vase or shipping tube on the underside of the contact paper and mark the length. Cut the paper to size.
2. Peel back the liner slightly and start applying it along the length of the tube or vase, smoothing as you go along to remove any air bubbles.
3. Use an X-Acto knife to trim any excess paper from the top or bottom of the tube.
4. Insert a puck light into the tube.
5. Add a globe shade on top. Happy Ramadan!

Get the Look

This story was originally published in April 2021. It has since been updated.