Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

Jenny Sheahan and Kate O'Driscoll
  • 5.0 (51)
  • Home & Garden

In the Rip it Up podcast, RTE's Home of the Year winner Jenny and finalist Kate step the listener through everything they've learned in buying a wreck of a house and turning it into a dream home. They demystify the entire renovation journey, from finding the right house, all the way through the renovation process, from picking a builder, to choosing wallpaper. No brick will be left unturned.  As well as being a management consultant, Jenny writes a weekly home column in a national Irish newspaper as well as being a regular guest on national Irish radio.  Kate, before branching out into renovation consulting full time, worked in technical roles in engineering and sustainability. Together, they make an expert team, ready to inspire and motivate would-be renovators and DIYers alike. Follow them on Instagram to see more of their renovation journeys - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

  1. 2 days ago

    Summer Replay: Planning Permission Explained - What You Need to Know Before Renovating

    We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded! Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September. In this episode we give your our best tips plus lessons learned from our own encounters (positive and less positive!) with local planning authorities. if you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at. We'll be back in September with brand-new episodes. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

  2. 20 Aug

    Summer Replay: Bathroom Layouts and Planning - Bathroom Design Explained

    We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded! Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September. In this episode, we break down the layout and planning decisions that make a bathroom comfortable, functional and easy to live with. if you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at. We'll be back in September with brand-new episodes. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

  3. 13 Aug

    Summer Replay: Kitchen Layouts Explained - Flow, Storage & Planning Decisions

    We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded! Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September. This is one of our most popular episodes ever. In this episode, we break down the early decisions that will make your kitchen renovation successful. if you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at. We'll be back in September with brand-new episodes. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

  4. 6 Aug

    Summer Replay: The Renovation Process - What to Expect Before You Start

    We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded! Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September. This episode is one of our very first and one of our favourites! In this episode, Kate & Jenny step the listener through the building process, talk through key construction terminology and sequencing, and highlight key decisions to be made throughout. This episode was originally sponsored by Finline Furniture for making this recording possible. Book a design consultation at finlinefurniture.ie If you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at. We'll be back in September with brand-new episodes. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

  5. 30 Jul

    The Best Renovation Advice We Heard This Year: Trade Secrets Wrap-Up

    After weeks of hearing from builders, electricians, plumbers, painters, and kitchen designers, we're wrapping up our Trade Secrets series by looking back at the advice that stuck with us the most. In this season finale, we revisit the biggest lessons from the experts, share the top renovation tips they'll be taking into every future project, and reveal what they think homeowners should prioritise if they want a smoother, less stressful renovation.  What we cover  The decisions you need to make earlier than you think  Where it's worth spending more - and where you can save your money  Why communication is the secret to a smoother renovation  The biggest mistakes homeowners make time and time again  The advice that surprised us most from this season's trade experts  Our own biggest renovation lessons after multiple projects  What's coming next for the podcast Key takeaways  Understand the renovation process before you begin  Invest in the things that are difficult to change later  Don't rush to furnish or finish everything at once  Ask questions and attend every important site walkthrough  Design your home around the way you actually live, not someone else's Pinterest board We'll also be taking a short break during August while we recharge. We'll be re-sharing some of our most popular renovation episodes throughout the month before returning in September with brand-new episodes. And we'd love your input. Should we bring back more trades? Or would you like to hear from architects, quantity surveyors, interior designers, mortgage experts and other professionals involved in the renovation process? Or anything else?? Let us know below! Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

  6. 23 Jul

    What Your Paint Expert Wishes You Knew - Trade Secrets

    In this episode of Trade Secrets, we get top tips from paint professional Karena Hyland, Research & Development Manager at Fleetwood Paints. From surface preparation and choosing the right paint finish to how to buy the correct amount of paint and invest in quality products, this episode is packed with practical advice to help your paintwork stand the test of time.  What we cover  Why preparation takes longer than most people expect  The importance of filling, sanding and allowing repairs to cure properly  Where it's worth spending more on paint, and where it isn't  Why durable, washable paints are worth the investment in busy homes  How to calculate the right amount of paint for your project  The value of quality brushes, rollers and masking tape  Why different rooms need different paint finishes  Common mistakes people make when choosing paint based on colour alone Key takeaways  Great paint jobs are built on great preparation  Choose paint for performance as well as colour  Invest in quality products for high-traffic areas  Don't rush surface preparation or curing times  The cheapest paint job is rarely the best value in the long run Items mentioned Wooster paint brushesPurdy paint rollersFleetwood Prestige Multi-surface paint finishFleetwood low tack Washi Masking tapeFleetwood Easyclean Washable Matt (ideal for kitchen areas)Whether you're choosing a painter, taking the DIY route, painting a single room or tackling an entire house, this episode will help you achieve a better finish, and avoid some very expensive mistakes. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

  7. 16 Jul

    What Your Kitchen Designer Wishes You Knew - Trade Secrets

    Everyone dreams about their new kitchen, but what does a kitchen designer wish every homeowner knew before they started planning one? In this episode of Trade Secrets, we hear from Dawn from Savvy Kitchens, the designer behind both Kate's kitchens and Jennifer's own kitchen renovation. Dawn shares the five biggest lessons she's learned from designing kitchens every day, from planning layouts before your drawings are finalised to avoiding the trap of designing for Instagram instead of real life.  What we cover  Why your kitchen should be designed before construction drawings are signed off  How kitchen layouts influence glazing, door positions, electrics and plumbing  Where your kitchen budget is best spent, and where you can save  Why expensive features aren't always the best investment  The importance of communicating changes early  Why every kitchen should be designed around your family's daily routine  Common mistakes people make when copying Pinterest and Instagram kitchens  Practical examples from Jennifer and Kate's own kitchen renovations Key takeaways  Design your kitchen around how you actually live, not how you wish you lived  Bring your kitchen designer in as early as possible  Invest in the features you'll use every single day  Don't be afraid to challenge assumptions and ask questions  A beautiful kitchen is one that works effortlessly for your lifestyle Whether you're choosing an IKEA kitchen or a fully bespoke design, these are the principles that make every kitchen function better.  Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

  8. Trailer

    Rip It Up Podcast Trailer

    Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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About

In the Rip it Up podcast, RTE's Home of the Year winner Jenny and finalist Kate step the listener through everything they've learned in buying a wreck of a house and turning it into a dream home. They demystify the entire renovation journey, from finding the right house, all the way through the renovation process, from picking a builder, to choosing wallpaper. No brick will be left unturned.  As well as being a management consultant, Jenny writes a weekly home column in a national Irish newspaper as well as being a regular guest on national Irish radio.  Kate, before branching out into renovation consulting full time, worked in technical roles in engineering and sustainability. Together, they make an expert team, ready to inspire and motivate would-be renovators and DIYers alike. Follow them on Instagram to see more of their renovation journeys - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Information

  • Creator
    Jenny Sheahan and Kate O'Driscoll
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast
  • Show Website
    Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

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