Our Vision
At Studio Shields, we believe the most compelling interiors are those that truly reflect the people who live within them. Our vision is to create layered, bespoke spaces that enhance daily life while celebrating individuality, craft and personal narrative.
Every project is approached with curiosity and care, shaping environments that feel deeply personal rather than formulaic. Through thoughtful design, curated objects and bespoke pieces, we create homes that hold character, memory and meaning.
Our Process
Every Studio Shields project begins with people.
We take the time to understand how you live, what inspires you and the story you want your space to tell.
From there, the design unfolds through careful spatial planning and a concept driven by narrative, colour and materiality. Ideas are developed into detailed schemes that consider architecture, bespoke joinery, furnishings and lighting, ensuring every element feels integrated rather than applied.
As the design evolves, we curate furnishings, source artworks and collaborate with skilled makers to create bespoke pieces that anchor the interior. Each layer is considered in relation to the next, shaping spaces that feel cohesive, personal and deeply connected to the people who inhabit them.
Ruby Shields
Principal & Founder
Background
Ruby Shields is the founder and creative director of Studio Shields, a Naarm/Melbourne-based interior design and decoration practice known for colour-drenched, materially rich interiors that feel deeply personal to the people who inhabit them. Her work centres on creating bespoke environments shaped through narrative, craft and collaboration.
Working closely with her husband Patrick Shields, a carpenter and maker, Ruby frequently designs custom furniture, lighting and joinery that anchor each project. Her background as an Art Director in advertising informs a concept-driven approach to interiors, combining spatial storytelling with careful attention to materiality and form. Her own home, The View, recently featured in Vogue Living, exemplifies this layered and collaborative philosophy.
Ruby's Philosophy
Ruby believes the most compelling interiors are those that genuinely reflect the people who live within them. Each project begins by understanding a client’s life, collections and aspirations, allowing the design to emerge as a natural extension of their story.
Working closely with clients, makers and artisans, she shapes interiors through colour, material and bespoke elements that feel crafted rather than applied. The result is spaces that are layered, personal and enduring, interiors with character, depth and a strong sense of identity.
Patrick Shields
Maker
Background
With over a decade of experience as a skilled carpenter, Patrick has worked alongside some of Melbourne’s most respected architects, including Kennedy Nolan, Maddison Architects and Winwood McKenzie. Known for his ingenuity on site, trade coordination and collaborative approach, he has built a reputation for bringing complex design visions to life with precision and creativity.
Beyond his professional work, Patrick contributes to Studio Shields’ personal renovation project, The View, where he collaborates with Ruby to design and craft bespoke furniture, lighting and objects. Their work has been recognised within the design community, including features in Vogue Living and Est Living, and participation in Melbourne Design Week exhibitions — first in 100 Lights and again this year in 100 Chairs. His passion for furniture and lighting design continues to grow, grounded in a deep commitment to craftsmanship.
Pat's Philosophy
Patrick’s approach to design is rooted in respect for sustainability, materiality and the relationship between form and function. With a strong affinity for timber, its longevity, beauty and timeless appeal, he crafts pieces that honour the integrity of the material while exploring its potential for reinvention.
Committed to breathing new life into the old, Patrick specialises in transforming recycled materials into thoughtful, enduring pieces. His work balances innovation with tradition, ensuring each creation enriches the spaces it inhabits with warmth, character and longevity.
Awards
+ Winner of 37th Dulux Colour Awards
+ Awarded 30 under 30 for Interior Designers across Australia
+ Commended DIA Graduate of the year
+ Shortlisted Dulux 38th Colour Awards
+ Winner of KBDi Kitchen Design
Publications
+ The Design Files Blog & Talks Podcast
+ The Design Files Directory “Set the Mood With Luxurious Colour Drenching”
+ The Design Files Directory "How to be Besties with Bold Colour"
+ Design Dialogues with Beth Bieske
+ Saturday InDesign '23 - "Don't be Afraid of Colour & Pattern"
+ Home Design Vol 26 No.1 - Wa Dam Buk - Tiny Home Design
+ Grand Designs Issue 12.5 - Wa Dam Buk - Tiny Home Design
+ Kitchens & Bathrooms Vol. 30 No. 4 - Chameleon’s Dream - Kitchen Design