Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

Jenny Sheahan and Kate O'Driscoll
  • 5.0 (4)
  • 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. 4D AGO

    #54 - Windows & Doors - External Openings Explained for Renovations

    Windows and doors might seem like simple decisions - but they affect heat, light, ventilation, security and how your home feels every day. In this episode, we break down the key decisions to get right early when planning your external windows and doors. What we cover:  Why windows and doors must be decided early in a renovation  Different window types - fixed, casement, tilt & turn, sliding and bi-fold  Choosing the right frame materials (uPVC, aluminium, timber, alu-clad)  Double vs triple glazing - and when each is worth it Designing for light, privacy and ventilation  Front doors vs secondary doors - function, security and everyday use  Sliding, bi-fold, and French doors - pros, cons and real-life trade-offs  Thresholds, flow and how doors actually feel to use day-to-day Key considerations  Start with use, not style - how will you actually live with these openings?  Opening direction, clearance and furniture placement matter more than you think  Bigger isn’t always better - especially with large, heavy doors  Plan for privacy without losing light Items mentioned Fineo slim double glazingSpring sash windowsThis episode focuses on the early planning decisions - helping you avoid costly mistakes and choose windows and doors that work for your home long-term.  Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    31 min

  2. MAR 19

    #53 - The A-Z of Irish Home & Renovation Suppliers ☘️

    To celebrate Paddy’s Day, we’re doing something a little different this week - an A–Z of our favourite Irish home, renovation and interiors suppliers. From big renovation essentials to smaller finds, these are the brands, makers and shops we come back to again and again - whether we’re working on our own homes or recommending to others. If you’re renovating, decorating or just love discovering great Irish suppliers, this is a brilliant place to start. What this episode is about: Our go-to Irish suppliers across home, interiors and renovationA mix of well-known names and hidden gemsBrands we’ve used ourselves or consistently recommendIdeas and inspiration for sourcing locally in Ireland🔤 The A–Z List A - April and the Bear B - Browsers C - CA Design  D - Des Kelly E - EZ Living Furniture F - Finline Furniture G - Grove Home H - Havwoods I - Industry & Co J - Jam Art Factory K - Kilkenny Architectural Salvage L - LoftStyle  M - Mullan Lighting N - Newbridge Fabric Outlet O - Oriana B P - POD Furniture  Q - Quirkes Homevalue  R - Rosalin’s S - Savvy Kitchens T - Tiles and Terrazzo  U - Ulster Carpets V - Vintage Dublin W - Woo Design X - XO Tile Y - Yeats Country Antiques Z - Zozimus Gallery 🎧 Who this episode is for Homeowners planning a renovationAnyone sourcing furniture, finishes or homewares in IrelandListeners looking to shop more locallyPeople who love discovering new brands and suppliers💡 Save this episode! It’s one you’ll come back to when you’re shopping for your own home or for gifts. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    27 min

  3. MAR 12

    #52 - Bathroom Layouts & Planning - Bathroom Design Explained

    Bathroom design starts long before you choose tiles or taps. In this episode, we break down the layout and planning decisions that make a bathroom comfortable, functional and easy to live with. What we cover Why bathroom layouts should be decided early in a renovationPlanning clearances - it's recommended to have a space 800mm wide and 700mm deep for your toiletKeeping the toilet out of the main sightline where possibleWall-mounted taps, channelled walls, and other early plumbing decisionsShower planning, including tileable shower trays (only when the area is properly tanked)Lighting and electrics - we love wall lights and demister padsStorage solutions - alcove shelvesItems mentioned IKEA FAXÄLVEN mirror with integrated lightRoberto Tiranti concrete sink (Etsy)Naka shower shelvesThis episode focuses on the planning stage of bathroom design - getting the layout right before plumbing, electrics and finishes are locked in. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    29 min

  4. MAR 5

    #51 - Kitchen Layouts Explained - Flow, Storage & Planning Decisions (Part 1)

    Before you choose cabinet colours, you need to lock down layout, flow, storage, and how the room actually works day to day. In this episode we break down the early decisions that will make your kitchen renovation successful. What we cover Why kitchens are usually the first major design decision in a renovationThe layout choices that affect plumbing, electrics and budgetWhy the classic “kitchen triangle” is outdatedDesigning kitchens in practical zones: storage, prep, cooking and cleaningStorage strategies that make kitchens easier to live withFloor-to-ceiling units, drawers vs cupboards and corner solutionsPlanning sockets, appliances and everyday countertop clutterWe also share the biggest kitchen regrets - from narrow islands to nowhere to hide clutter. This is part 1 of a two-part kitchen episode - in the next episode we’ll cover appliances, materials and kitchen lighting. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    29 min

  5. FEB 26

    #50! Sockets, Switches, and Spotlights: Electrical Plans Explained for your Renovation

    Designing your electrical plan isn’t just about picking lights - it’s about how your home actually works every day. In this episode (our fiftieth!), we break down the lighting, sockets, switches and electrical decisions that happen during the first fix and second fix stages of your renovation. This is the second of a two-part episode on creating your M&E plan - we covered the mechanical plan in our previous episode. 💡 What we cover in this episode: Lighting basics: lumens, kelvins and how to create a planCreating layered lighting - general, task and soft mood lightingChoosing adjustable spotlights, LED strips, and avoiding mixed light tonesWhere to place sockets, switches and other controlsPlanning for charging points, vacuum routes and future flexibilityData points, Wi-Fi planning and avoiding dead zones (especially in older Irish homes)First fix vs second fix - when you need to make your key electrical decisions👉 If you’re planning a renovation, this episode will help you avoid harsh lighting, missing sockets and costly changes later. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    27 min

  6. FEB 19

    #49 - Poo, Plumbing & Heating: Mechanical Plans Explained For Your Renovation

    Early in your renovation, you need to lock down your M&E plan - mechanical and electrical. In this we deep dive into the dirty business of mechanical plans - waste pipes, connection points, pumps, heating, toilets, showers, drainage, and more. The decisions you make here will have a big impact later in your renovation, and there are some important things you should know. We will be covering electrical plans (including Jenny's favourite topic - lighting!) next week. Key Topics in This Episode: Why plumbing, drainage and heating plans must be decided early in a renovation.Toilets, waste pipes and the impact of pipe routes on layout and design.Boxing off waste pipes.Hidden vs visible toilet cisterns.Macerators (e.g. Saniflo).Common bathroom planning mistakes.Boilers, water tanks, combi-boilers, and other hot water systems.How gravity affects water flow.Radiators, zoning and smart heating decisions to be aware of.Pumps, drainage challenges and avoiding costly issues later.BTU calculator for checking radiator requirements.Pipe to pipe distance between radiators.Temperature knobs on radiators.Sump pump if your drain pipes are low compared to the water table. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    26 min

  7. FEB 12

    New Season! #48 - Planning Permission Explained: What You Need to Know Before Renovating

    Planning permission in Ireland is a minefield, and we have had a different experience with each renovation we have done. It's not a straightforward process with guaranteed outcomes, but in this episode we give your our best tips plus lessons learned from our own encounters (positive and less positive!) with local planning authorities. Who this episode is for: Homeowners planning a renovation or extensionAnyone unsure if they need planning permissionRenovators who want fewer delays and surprisesAs a rule of thumb, assume planning permission is required unless you know your project is exempt. Permission is usually needed in Ireland if your renovation: Is new or over 40m²Changes the use of a buildingMaterially alters the exteriorIs in a protected or sensitive areaWe unpack what “material change” actually means - and where homeowners most often go wrong. How the planning process works We walk through the full planning journey, including: Pre-planning (when it’s worth doing)Preparing and submitting an applicationPublic consultation and submissionsPlanner assessment and Further Information requestsDecisions, appeals, and what happens after permission is grantedHow long does it really take? Typical timelines discussed: Straightforward application: ~3–4 monthsWith Further Information: ~5–8 monthsWith appeal: ~9–15+ monthsFollow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    27 min

  8. FEB 5

    New Season! #47 - The Renovation Process

    Welcome back to a brand new season of Rip It Up! Every renovation teaches you something, but it's only after you've lived through the dust, the delays, and the decisions - and then done it all again! - that the real lessons appear. This season, we're revisiting our biggest renovation topics, with the benefit of more hard-earned hindsight. Process, planning, lighting, kitchens, bathroom, windows, what worked, what didn't, and what we'd never do the same way again. This is what we wish we knew then. This first episode of our new series, we're going back to the start and discussing the renovation process. What are the phases? What's the sequence of events? What's happening and what the hell is coming next?! Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast
  • Show Website
    Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

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