Woman ‘shames tradies’ with Bunnings garage renovation

A self-described “Bunnings addict” has left fellow women stunned after she transformed her friend’s garage by watching YouTube clips.

A self-described “Bunnings addict” has helped give her friend’s garage an “insane” makeover by using $1500 worth of items from the hardware store.

Nicole Herrick, from Melbourne, is such a massive fan, she’s got about 20 different power tools from Bunnings.

And while she’s not a tradie by profession, the 42-year-old sure does know how to handle her tools, having taught herself by watching several YouTube clips.

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Nicole Herrick, from Melbourne, taught herself how to use power tools by watching YouTube clips. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve done renovations for another friend home office, my kitchen and backyard. It’s something I have been teaching myself how to do over the last few years and I’ve just been getting stuck into projects and learning how to use the tools and make different things,” Nicole told news.com.au

So, when her artist friend Mitra needed help transforming her dusty, old garage into a workshop, she couldn’t resist.

The pair headed to straight Bunnings where they bought $1500 worth of products including paint, plywood, a table top and wooden benchtops.

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The garage before the renovation. Picture: Supplied

And the garage after the Bunnings reno. Picture: Supplied

“We painted the garage a warm white colour using a paint sprayer, also from Bunnings, then we got some free and low-cost furniture and painted them over to be more cohesive,” Nicole said.

“We got three slabs of plywood panels ($65 each) and cut them up to create the large headboard walls.

“The lighting is also from Bunnings – I installed the simple ones in the cupboard and underneath the shelf and we got an electrician to do the ceilings.”

Nicole said while the makeover took 14 weekends to complete, it saved them on what would have cost about $5000 if they turned to professionals to fit it out.

Nicole with her friend Mitra in her funky new art studio. Picture: Supplied

“Mitra didn’t have a fixed budget, she was happy to spend as much as it took to get the studio she wanted, but doing a DIY job saved so much money because everything I do, I make and create on shoestring budget,” Nicole said.

“I always get second-hand furniture and make it into something new.”

It’s exactly what she did to create the workshop desk at the centre of the studio.

The women in action. They used $1500 worth of products and materials from Bunnings, including plywood ($65), Taubmans 3 in 1 prep ($66.80) and Taubmans wall paint ($129.50). Picture: Supplied

“I got the legs for free off Facebook Marketplace and the table top was from Bunnings (for about $100). We then made a box storage to go between the legs and top to bring it up to desk height and it allowed for storage and power underneath.”

Nicole shared before and after photos in a popular Bunnings Facebook group where she received rave reviews from fellow women.

Nicole on the tools. Picture: Supplied

The women also upcycled old furniture which they bought for a cheap rate or got for free online. Picture: Supplied

“That’s so brilliant and the end result is awesome. You would put a lot of tradies to shame … girl power,” one proud member wrote.

“Beware of women with power tools that can achieve anything they set their minds to!

Bloody fantastic ladies … kudos to you both,” a second woman wrote.

“This is great as I will be able to use it to convince my partner that my anticipated conversion of the single garage is a good idea! Thanks ladies,” another added, while others described it as “insane”, “awesome”, “inspiring” and “amazing”.

Nicole, who now has her own YouTube channel, said she was both humbled and blown away by the positive reaction.