Shell Homage Turns Egg Shells into Furniture at Milan Design Week

At Milan Design Week 2026, Egypt’s Shell Homage invites viewers to admire quiet beauty. Under closer inspection, this collection of colourful furniture reveals unexpected nuances hidden in its delicate yet sophisticated forms. Crafted from everyday breakfast waste that’s reimagined as something meaningful, the brand offers a fresh perspective on how we think about discarded materials.

Instead of just exhibiting finished pieces, this installation tells a story about materials that have been used and presents pieces of evidence for each step. From fragmented samples to full-sized objects that represent final phases of crafting, the viewer is immersed in the world of making, where there’s an obvious focus on the process and results of it.

Founded by Rania Elkalla, who based this idea on the findings she had gained during her studies, the project includes the process of cleaning and preparing shells used as a primary ingredient. Alongside these shells, plant-based binders are used in the process, which creates a biodegradable compound that contains no toxic chemicals whatsoever.

“This time we have used completely different types of waste than what we’re used to… we have a table made from argan waste from Morocco,” Elkalla notes.

The most interesting thing is that the resulting substance can be used for multiple purposes. As material for lighting fixtures, tables, and other types of furniture and household objects, depending on the way of processing the fragments. Sometimes the material looks so dense that it can be compared to stone, while another form allows some light to peak through.

The surfaces are also unique, ranging from matte textures to soft translucency. This way, each object has its own characteristics and special features that cannot be found elsewhere.

There’s something quite sincere about this work that makes it outstanding despite the simplicity of the materials used in it. It highlights that good craftsmanship goes beyond appearance; it also shapes the way we think.