How to Create a Seashell Decorated Table

While looking through an issue of Woman's Day recently, I came upon this idea for decorating a table using seashells. Now as anyone who's been in my home knows, I love seashells. I have thousands of shells from one corner of my home to the other. On every trip we take to the beach I literally bring back an ocean full of shells. Some of my favorite ones came from Panama City Beach, in Florida. So when I saw this wonderful idea in the magazine I just had to try it.

The design called for cherry wood tables that were to be painted white. I didn't have any cherry wood tables so I used some old, ugly, unvarnished tables that I had sitting in my garage and was considering throwing out. This idea is great for just about any piece of furniture you want to redo, as long as it has a simple shape and flat surfaces.

The materials you will need are,

1. The piece of furniture you're wanting to redo.
2. primer
3. 220-grit sandpaper
4. White semi gloss latex paint
5. Polyurethane sealer
6. 16 cups natica and 2 cups ark shells( you can buy these off seashells.com)
Hint, I didn't order any special shells, I used the ones I had which were all shapes, sizes and colors and it created a table that was very unique and beautiful. But if you would rather stick with shells which are similar in size and color you may want to order some from one of the online sites.
To get your table ready for painting and decorating you will need to prime it, allow it to dry and sand it down. Then wipe it clean and apply two coats of white acrylic paint. Once it dries, seal it with polyurethane.

To begin your decorating project,
1. Sort shells according to size and colors. Arrange a border of shells around the tabletop. I used shells in different sizes and colors even including a starfish in the center. Do not glue the shells on top of the table yet, lay them aside.
2. Lay out an apron with a row of shells just underneath the tabletop and along the bottom. Work from the outside in, pick up one shell at a time, apply a dab of hot glue to the back of it along the top and bottom, and press it back in place. Repeat on the other side.
3. Glue seashells on outside of legs in horizontal rows, working from the top of leg to the bottom. Use medium size shells for the first couple of rows, large for two rows where the leg bows out and smaller shells as the leg tapers. Stopping a few inches above the floor. Repeat on the remaining legs.
4. Rearrange the shells you put aside in step one around the tabletop and glue them on one at a time. Remove any strings of glue by brushing all the shells and table with a soft bristled paint brush.

That's all there is to creating a beautiful and distinct piece of furniture for your home in a wonderful seaside retreat design. You can create this unique accent piece in one afternoon. And this design also looks beautiful using a wooden table. It doesn't necessarily have to be painted white. Just use the same concept for priming the table and arranging the shells, minus the white paint. For more great decorating ideas visit www.bhg.com or www.womansday.com.