BurlinsonbyDesign

Woodworking · January 2025

Sea Turtle Epoxy River Coffee Table

A Tribute to Conservation, Craftsmanship, and Coastal Beauty

Finished white oak coffee table with a blue epoxy river and a carved wood sea turtle inlay
Completed
January 2025
Species
White Oak
Board thickness
2 1/4"

This handcrafted live edge white oak coffee table is more than just furniture—it’s a tribute to the dedication and passion of a couple who spend their summers protecting young sea turtles as they journey to the ocean.

Designed specifically for their beach house, the table blends natural wood artistry with a striking epoxy river design, evoking the movement of water and the serenity of the shoreline.

At the heart of the piece, a hand-carved walnut sea turtle is carefully embedded into the live edge slabs, appearing as if it’s swimming through the river of epoxy. This detail not only honors the couple’s conservation work but also makes for a breathtaking focal point.

A subtle yet stunning feature is the hidden uplight, tucked within a horizontally carved strut beneath the table. When illuminated, the light glows upward through the epoxy, casting a gentle shimmer and bringing the swimming turtle to life. This interplay of wood, epoxy, and light creates an ever-changing, dynamic display that transforms with the room’s ambiance.

With its rich textures, coastal inspiration, and personal significance, this table isn’t just a functional centerpiece—it’s a story told in wood and light, celebrating both craftsmanship and a commitment to nature.

In the shop

Drag to browse

  • Rough white oak boards being milled and ripped on the workbench for the turtle table
  • Live edge white oak slabs laid out for the turtle table's river design
  • Marking the turtle table's epoxy river channel
  • Cutting the walnut turtle inlay pieces
  • Close-up detail of the carved wood sea turtle inlay pieces, shell and flippers, set into the blue epoxy before the final pour
  • Sanding the turtle table's epoxy surface
  • Turtle table components staged before final assembly
  • Fitting the turtle table's base legs
  • In-progress shot of the turtle table's raw oak pieces, a corner clamp, and the blue epoxy river with the turtle inlay partially complete, in the shop

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