Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

Jenny Sheahan and Kate O'Driscoll
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 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. Trailer

    Rip It Up Podcast Trailer

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

    1 min

  2. 3d ago

    What Your Plumber Wishes You Knew - Trade Secrets

    Every renovation has a plumber, but what does your plumber wish you knew before the walls are closed up? In this episode of Trade Secrets, we hear from an experienced plumber who shares the five biggest lessons every homeowner should know before starting a renovation. From planning bathrooms properly to investing in the plumbing you'll never see, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you avoid costly mistakes later on. What we cover:  Why bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms need to be planned much earlier than most people realise  Why quality pipework matters more than expensive taps  The plumbing components worth investing in from day one  Why every homeowner should attend their plumbing walkthrough  Common bathroom layout mistakes that affect how the space functions  The importance of thinking beyond Pinterest-perfect bathrooms  How good plumbing decisions save money in the long run Key takeaways:  Lock in bathroom layouts before first fix begins  Spend money behind the walls, not just on the finishes  Walk every room with your plumber before pipework is installed  Good communication prevents expensive changes  Design bathrooms for everyday life, not just for photos This episode is a reminder that the best plumbing is the plumbing you never have to think about. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    29 min

  3. Jul 2

    What Your Builder Wishes You Knew - Trade Secrets

    This episode is PACKED full of tips straight from the horse's mouth - Jason Doyle of JEMI Construction, Jenny's own main contractor. In this episode of Trade Secrets, we're joined by Jason who shares the five biggest tips from homeowners, and lessons he's learned from years of managing home renovations. From when to order kitchens and windows, to where you should spend and save your money, Jason shares practical advice that could save you delays, stress and expensive mistakes.  What we cover  Why kitchens, windows and other long lead-time items need to be ordered early  Where your renovation budget is best spent (and where it isn't)  Why trendy finishes aren't always the right choice  The importance of clear, direct communication with your builder  How to avoid one of the biggest renovation mistakes: under-budgeting  Why relationships with trusted suppliers keep projects running smoothly  Budgeting for finishes, fittings and all the hidden extras Key takeaways  Plan the big decisions before work starts  Invest in the structure; you can always upgrade furniture later  Research trends before committing to them  Communicate early, often and directly  Keep a detailed budget and track every decision Guest Jason Doyle, JEMI Construction Jason has spent years managing full home renovations and extensions, coordinating multiple trades and helping homeowners navigate complex projects from demolition through to completion. In this episode, he shares the advice he wishes every client knew before starting a renovation. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    27 min

  4. Jun 25

    What Your Electrician Wishes You Knew - Trade Secrets

    Every renovation has an electrician - and this episode is packed full of things they wish you knew. In the first episode of our new Trade Secrets series, we're joined by Ronan Byrne from Eleven Electrical to uncover the five biggest lessons homeowners should know before planning their electrical work. From socket positions and lighting layouts to future-proofing and avoiding costly mistakes, this episode is packed with practical advice that can save you time, money and years of frustration.  What we cover  Why you need to plan furniture layouts much earlier than you think  How bed positions, sofas and TVs affect socket placement  What is worth spending money Where you should save The most common mistakes homeowners make - and how to avoid them The importance of sharing updated drawings and communicating changes quickly  Why electrical walkthroughs are one of the most important stages of a renovation  Lighting, switching, Wi-Fi points, demister pads and all the details that are easy to overlook Key takeaways  Plan rooms around how you'll actually use them  Future-proof while walls are open  Communicate changes early and often  Walk through every room before first fix  Remember: you're the one who has to live with the decisions This episode is a practical guide to creating an electrical plan that works not just on paper, but in real life. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    25 min

  5. Jun 18

    The House That Divided Us - Kendall Jenner’s Mountain Home | Unpacking Iconic Homes

    In the final episode of this season of Unpacking Iconic Homes, we head to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to explore Kendall Jenner’s mountain retreat, designed by acclaimed interior designer Heidi Caillier. This is definitely the most divisive home we've covered. Kate loves its warmth, personality and unexpected elements. Jenny thinks the bold design choices start competing with each other rather than working together. From Viola marble and burgundy bathrooms to giant floral sofas, patterned wallpaper, and eclectic vintage-inspired details, we unpack what makes this house so memorable - and why it has sparked such strong reactions online.  What we cover:  Heidi Caillier's signature layered and eclectic design style  Why this home feels completely different from Kendall's previous Los Angeles house  The rise of cosy, collected interiors and the rejection of minimalist perfection  Pattern mixing, colour clashes and where personality becomes visual noise  Why some people see warmth and others see chaos  The psychology of "lived-in" luxury  What makes a home feel cohesive (or not!!) Which design ideas are worth borrowing and which are best left to Wyoming mountain chalets Design details mentioned  Viola marble kitchen  Lacanche range cooker  Lee Jofa Hollyhock fabric sofa  Design Frères stools  Jefferson West bookshelves  Zia Tile  Farrow & Ball Brinjal  Farrow & Ball Salon Drab  Lisa Fine Textiles wallpaper  The Water Monopoly yellow sink  Charles P. Rogers bed  Finline Willow chair (similar to blue armchair in main bedroom)Things we loved  Open fireplaces  Timber-clad bathrooms  The wood kitchen island  The kitchen flooring  Kendall's use of books, art and personal collections  The sense of individuality running through the home The big debate: Does the house feel beautifully layered and collected?Or does it feel like several strong design ideas competing for attention?This episode is less about whether the house is objectively "good" and more about what happens when a designer prioritises personality over perfection.  Link to Kendall's Architectural Digest house tour: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/kendall-jenner-mountain-home Link to Heidi Caillier's stunning portfolio: https://heidicaillierdesign.com/portfolio/ Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    38 min

  6. Jun 11

    #65 Carrie Bradshaw’s Apartment - Unpacking Iconic Homes

    In this episode of Unpacking Iconic Homes, we explore one of the most famous interiors in television history: Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from Sex and the City. Unlike many of the homes we've covered, Carrie’s apartment isn't iconic because it was luxurious or perfectly designed. It's iconic because it conveyed Carrie's personality and a lifestyle many of us coveted. From the walk-in wardrobe and writing desk to the mismatched furniture and mint-green walls, every corner reflected the character who lived there. We unpack why this tiny(ish) Manhattan apartment captured the imagination of an entire generation - and what it can teach us about creating homes with personality rather than perfection. What we cover:  Why Carrie's apartment became as famous as the character herself  The fantasy of independent city living in New York  How the apartment expresses Carrie's personality The famous walk-in wardrobe The writing desk as the true heart of the home  Mixing furniture, colours and styles without everything matching  How the apartment evolved alongside Carrie throughout the series Design details discussed:  The iconic brownstone stoop  Coloured walls - mint green / dusty blue / lavender / blush Parquet floors Layout - circular floorplan with kitchen in the middle Eclectic vintage-inspired furnishings  Open shelving and personal collections  The writing nook at the window Carrie’s walk-in closet  Art, books and meaningful objects used as décor How to recreate this look: Use your books and magazines as decorCreate a reading/writing nook by a windowMix furniture stylesAdd colour to rental walls (if allowed)Use freestanding storageKey takeaways:  Our homes should express our personalities  Character is more important than perfection  Mixing styles can feel more authentic and interesting than matching everything  Homes should evolve as your life evolves  The best interiors feel personal, not staged This episode is a reminder that great homes don't need to be perfect - they need to feel like you. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    24 min

  7. Jun 4

    #64 The Kitchen That Changed the Game | Athena Calderone (EyeSwoon) - Unpacking Iconic Homes

    In this episode of Unpacking Iconic Homes, we explore the home and design philosophy of Athena Calderone, founder of EyeSwoon and one of the most influential voices behind the rise of organic luxury interiors. If you've ever admired a kitchen filled with richly veined marble, open shelving, vintage bar stools, artisan ceramics, oversized clay pots full of gigantic branches, and a luxuriously lived-in feel, there's a good chance Athena Calderone had something to do with it. We unpack the kitchen that helped redefine modern interiors and explore how her approach to beauty, texture and restraint influenced an entire generation of homeowners. What we cover:  How Athena Calderone helped popularise the organic luxury aesthetic  Why her Brooklyn kitchen became one of the most copied spaces on Instagram  The rise of travertine, limewash and natural materials  Layering vintage and contemporary pieces without creating clutter  Athena's bold, contrasting colour combinations The art of styling shelves, surfaces and open spaces  Organic minimalism versus cold minimalism  How to recreate the EyeSwoon look on a realistic budget Design details & products mentioned  Limewash walls and textured finishes  Travertine and boldly veined marble  Vintage wooden stools and antique furniture  Artisan ceramics and stoneware  Steel-and-glass window walls  Apparatus horsehair light fixtures  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Key takeaways  Stay true to the original character of your home Mix antique pieces with new Texture, texture, texture Imperfection creates warmth and authenticity  Organic luxury is more about atmosphere than expensive products This episode is a practical guide to one of the most influential interior styles of the last decade - and how to borrow the principles without needing a Brooklyn townhouse or a marble budget. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    28 min

  8. May 28

    #63 Rose Uniacke Interiors - Unpacking Iconic Homes

    In this episode of Unpacking Iconic Homes, we dive into the world of legendary British interior designer Rose Uniacke - the woman largely responsible for the entire “quiet luxury” aesthetic dominating interiors right now. From Victoria Beckham’s home to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s townhouse and the Jo Malone flagship space, we unpack what makes her interiors feel so calm, timeless and impossibly expensive. Rose Uniacke’s approach is a masterclass in restraint, texture, atmosphere and knowing what to leave out. What we cover: Why Rose Uniacke interiors feel deeply calming and restorativeThe rise of “quiet luxury” and why people are rejecting trend-led interiorsWarm chalky neutrals, tonal palettes and low-contrast spacesWhy expensive homes often feel less decorated, not moreLime plaster walls, aged woods, linen curtains and imperfect finishesLayering antiques and modern pieces without feeling “period”Why lighting matters as much as - or more than - décorThe psychology of negative space and restraint in interiorsHow to recreate the look without a multi-million-euro budgetProjects & references mentioned: Victoria Beckham’s homeRosie Huntington-Whiteley & Jason Statham’s townhouseJo Malone London flagship spacesRose Uniacke StudioDesign details & products mentioned Espagnolette handles for French doorsMill Road wood flooringLime paint workshops and supplies by Maison Anna B. in IrelandWarm off-whites including:School House Whie Slaked LimeJoa’s WhiteKey takeaways Texture is everythingRose Uniacke interiors are all about editing, not addingVintage pieces create warmth and curiosityLayered lighting instantly elevates a roomThe most luxurious homes usually feel relaxed, quiet and lived-inThis episode is essentially a masterclass in creating a home that feels calm, timeless and deeply considered, without falling into trend-driven design. Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

    28 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 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
    76
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast
  • Show Website
    Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

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