1. The hard outer covering of molluscs, crustaceans and sea creatures such as turtles and tortoises, and the shells of coconuts, or other seedpods. They make into interesting accessory items, and inspire colour schemes and design ideas with their shapes and colourings.
2. The shell of a house or a room is its essence–the space it holds and the way in which its constituent elements are set out: light, walls, ceiling, floors. Interior design begs the question of how a hard outer shell can become a soft, welcoming, secure home: what to do with the space, how it will work, what colour it will be and what texture–soft or hard?