A First Home Buyers’ Never-Ending Renovation, With Pat + Ruby Shields

A First Home Buyers’ Never-Ending Renovation, With Pat + Ruby Shields

Author: The Design Files November 2, 2023 Duration: 58:23

Melbourne interior designer Ruby Shields and her carpenter husband Patrick join us to talk about the five-year renovation of their first home in Mount Evelyn!

The couple bought the house in 2018 (that had been left half-renovated by the previous owner) and have been working on it ever since. They share how this journey inspired Ruby’s to land her dream job at design studio WOWOWA, the struggles of renovating while working full time, and how they styled it with a mix of second-hand and designer furniture.

Take a look inside their wonderful creative house and here, and follow Ruby on Instagram @rubyshields_designs. 

Follow us at @thedesignfiles and subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you don’t miss a thing. Thank you so much for listening!


Every other week, The Design Files Talks opens up a conversation that feels like pulling up a chair in a creative studio. Lucy Feagins, founder of Australia's long-running design platform, sits down with the country's most thoughtful makers, designers, and artists. These aren't just surface-level chats; they delve into the real, often messy, process behind creating a beautiful and considered life. You'll hear architects explain the emotional weight of a renovation, gardeners discuss the philosophy behind their plots, and furniture makers unpack the journey toward sustainable practice. It’s a podcast that connects the dots between aesthetics and everyday living, exploring how intention shapes our homes, our leisure, and our environment. The discussions are grounded, practical, and rich with the kind of insights that come from over a decade of deep engagement with the design community. For anyone curious about the stories behind the spaces we inhabit and the objects we live with, this series offers a genuine and inspiring listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 83

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