Bunnings shopper’s $26 ‘real’ marble table

A Queensland woman has left Instagram users with their “minds blown” after she revealed how she created a “marble” table for just $26.

A Bunnings shopper was left “shook” after a $26 marble spray made her side table look to be worth “thousands”.

DIY enthusiast Jaharn Quinn, who is known for her clever and budget-friendly home hacks,

has been a fan of marble tables for some time.

But given they can “cost into the thousands”, Jaharn decided to give herself a challenge and make her own table from scratch.

“The first thing I did was head to Bunnings to explore what I could find to help me make my idea come to life,” she said in an Instagram post.

DIY enthusiast Jaharn Quinn revealed the $26 spray she used to create this ‘marble’ side table. Picture: Instagram/smorhome

Jaharn originally planned to use marble-effect vinyl adhesive for her project, but then happened to stumble across Dulux DuraMax Marble Effect Spray Paint ($26.70).

“And guys, I’m shook. I actually cannot believe how beautiful and REAL this marble effect plinth looks!

“I’ve had this idea in my head (of a marble side table) for months and being able to make it for less, while sharing the materials and process with you has been a dream come true.”

In her blog Smor House, the Queensland-based upcycler shared the materials she used which included two MDF panels, a measuring tape, multipurpose filler, microfibre roller and black gloss exterior paint.

She headed to Bunnings where she grabbed a bunch of items including MDF panels. Picture: Instagram/smorhome

She got a Bunnings worker to cut the panels for her – two panels 1200mm x 600mm (cut into four side and one top. Picture: Instagram/smorhome

“If you don’t have a mitre saw at home, which will help you cut perfectly straight lines through your MDF panels, Bunnings are actually able to cut the panels for you,” she explained. “This is what I opted for this time around.”

She said the first thing you need to do is build the plinth.

“Drill three pilot holes along the length of one piece of MD. Prop this piece and another piece of MDF together at a 90 degree angle.”

She then got drilling. Jaharn said the panels need to be lined up perfectly to drill through the existing pilot holes. Picture: Instagram/smorhome

She then filled in the screws and any deeper gaps using multipurpose filler. Picture: Instagram/smorhome

Jaharn said it needed to be lined up perfectly to drill through the existing pilot holes.

“Keep going so you drill further pilot holes into the second piece of MDF.”

“Then you will switch to a phillip head drill bit, and drill a countersunk screw into each pilot hole. You will now have two pieces of MDF joined together at a 90 degree angle. Keep working your way around until you have created a plinth (without the top).

“Repeat the pilot hole process followed by drilling in the screws for the top of the plinth. You will now have a plinth.”

Jaharn then applied two to three coats of Taubmans black gloss paint to the plinth. Picture: Instagram/smorhome

And for the real fun, she used the $26 marble spray on top. Picture: Instagram/smorhome

She advised to fill in the screws and any deeper gaps using multipurpose filler and allow it to dry for three hours.

“Sand the multipurpose filler so it’s flush with the surface,” she said.

Jaharn then applied two to three coats of Taubmans black gloss paint to the plinth.

“When the paint has dried, apply the marble effect spray paint as per the instructions.”

And the final result – a ‘marble’ side table. Picture: Instagram/smorhome

She found soft sprays and letting the air settle the marble effect spray paint really helped. “Don’t apply it straight on, too close or directly. Instead lightly spray it on from a good distance,” Jaharn said.

“If you find some of the marble effect hanging, carefully lift it and let it drop naturally and organically.

“Try not to over spray otherwise it won’t look natural. The spray paint dries really quickly too so after a few minutes, you’ll have a beautiful Marble Effect Plinth!”

Jaharn shared a video of her project to Instagram leaving many stunned.

“You just continue to blow me away!!” one follower wrote.

“Love this. ️It’s brilliant,” another added.

Bunnings’ national paint buyer, David Hardie, told news.com.au the Dulux Marble Effects Spray paint is a popular choice with customers using it to transform a variety of items in and outside their homes including furniture, indoor pots and benchtops.

“Jaharn has shown how easy and affordable it can be to mix a little creativity with DIY skills and spray paint to create something stylish and affordable,” he said.