In the sofa with Ruby Hughes

Ruby is an artist, known under the profile @sshepaints, who draws inspiration from life’s little moments – like breakfasts shared with loved ones or conversations over a glass of wine. She has a deep love for colour, with a particular fondness for stripes, which defines her creative style. Her home is a personal sanctuary, filled with furniture and artwork rich with memories. With a passion for ceramics and dreams of launching her own homeware line, she creates with both playfulness and thoughtfulness. A perfect day for Ruby involves a coffee in the lanes, people-watching, and a sense of creative calm.

Your art feels both playful and reflective – what inspires you when you create?

Everyday life inspires me! The mundanity of sharing breakfast with someone / the chit-chat you hear in bars over a glass of wine

What does your mood board look like…for life?

Colourful! I’ve become quite obsessed with stripes as I’ve grown up. Not sure where that came from

What do you love most about your home? 

The memories behind each of my pieces of furniture or paintings on the walls

What’s your go-to outfit when you want to feel most like “yourself”?

Always a cap, probably a long coat, and loafers

What dreams or projects are you looking forward to? Is there anything specific you hope to create or explore?

I’d love to eventually have a homeware line – I looove ceramics 

What do you do on a perfect day off – are there any special places or routines you always go back to?

We live right in the lanes so my favourite thing to do is sit in a coffee shop and people-watch with Lewis

What song or album is currently on repeat for you?

Chappell Roan! I love at the moment – also always Billy Joel

What do you serve when hosting a dinner at home? 

Pasta, always pasta!

You’re soon going to be a mum for the first time – first of all, huge congratulations! Who do you want to be as a mother?

Thank you so much! We are so excited! I want to try and be as myself as possible – Creative and happy.

THIS OR THAT

Coffee at a café or wine at a bar? WINE I miss wine so much being pregnant haha
Staying up late to create or an early morning walk? Early morning walk 100% 
London rain or sunny day in the countryside? London Rain
Graphic tee or oversized blazer? Oversized blazer
Vinyl records or Spotify playlist? Spotify
Sketchbook or iPad for ideas? IPAD
Pizza or pasta? Pasta
Red lips or a natural look? Natural look
Writing a journal or reading a book? Reading 

Shop Ruby’s favourite sofa, Luca Grande Stripe Coral, here.