Melbourne woman impresses Bunnings with her DIY side table

A Melbourne woman can’t believe the attention her $165 DIY project received after it got the Bunnings tick of approval.

When Bunnings share your DIY project, you know you’re onto something good.

Mariana Tedim, 24, from Melbourne, had no idea the reaction she would get when she uploaded a snap of a bespoke side table she made from scratch.

The DIY lover was on the hunt for a trendy bedroom table but with prices out of reach she instead decided to create her own – and it got the Bunnings tick of approval.

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Mariana Tedim, 24, from Melbourne, had no idea the huge reaction her DIY side table would get. Picture: Instagram/lifestyleby_mari

The hardware store shared a photo of Mariana’s DIY project on Tuesday, captioning it “Coastal vibes” and it has since been ‘liked’ more than 1000 times.

“When Bunnings contacted me about it I never thought they would actually share it. I couldn’t stop smiling and screaming to my mum when they did,” Mariana told news.com.au.

“I just really love creating things and it just feels so nice that people enjoy seeing it, and get inspired by it.”

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She made the uniquely-shaped timber table from scratch. Picture: Instagram/lifestyleby_mari

Mariana said it took just three hours to make the table, adding that she has plenty of spare time with Melbourne plunged back into lockdown.

The 24-year-old used three materials to help make the timber table, spending roughly $165 on Porta Tasmanian Oak Dowel, MDF and Tarzan wood glue from Bunnings.

She drew inspiration from Aussie home decor designer Sarah Ellison’s $475 side table, but instead of rattan, Mariana used timber, added a semicircle table top, and pieces of dowel.

After measuring all the wood, Mariana used a jigsaw to cut the arch of the table top and edges.

“I then put all the cut pieces together with glue and screws and stuck on the dowel timber with super glue to form the ripple effect.”

The 24-year-old completed the look by adding jute rope around the rim of the semi table top.

“I have a very handy dad who gives me a lot of advice,” Mariana said.

“He is a welder, but growing up in Portugal you had to create things yourself if you wanted something to play with and over time he just developed handy skills and so I like to brainstorm my ideas with him.”

Mariana used materials from Bunnings to make the table. Picture: Supplied

She said it took her three hours to complete. Picture: Supplied

Mariana said for her bespoke side table, her father showed her the best way to cut the timber, but everything else she did on her own.

“I just find it so inspiring that you’ve actually made this. You definitely need one for the other side of the bed,” one person commented on her Instagram post.

“Love the details of that cute table! “ said another, while others described it “amazing”.

Mariana’s love of DIY began when she moved out of her family home in August last year.

Her love of DIY began in August last year when she upcycled this old dining table. Picture: Instagram/lifestyleby_mari

The creative 24-year-old gave it a completely new look. Picture: Instagram/lifestyleby_mari

As a young woman on a budget, instead of forking out the big bucks on a dining table, she upcycled an old family table that was laying around in the garage.

“It turned out so beautiful,” she said.

She enjoys the process of upcycling so much that whenever she sees furniture on the street, she’s determined to turn it into something “beautiful”.