Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

 This episode was recorded live on the DFS stage at the Ideal Home Show in Dublin in April, 2025. Thank you to our lovely audience for listening and asking questions, to Jo Linehan for the fabulous interview, and to the whole team for having us on stage! We talked all about how to keep your renovation on budget, on time, and in style. Note as this was recorded in a busy environment there will be some background noise, but we did ou...

Today Jenny and Kate are tackling the hardest working spaces in your home - utility rooms, laundry rooms, boot rooms, and all the clever cabinets and gadgets to hide the chaos in style.

Items mentioned:

• Cordless vacuum charger dock plus attachments holder
• Adhesive broom holders
• Elfa System / Boaxel System (Ikea) - wire shelves and fittings for laundry and utilities
• Dehumidifier - Meaco and DeLonghi 
• Swedish airing cupboards...

Kate and Jenny are turning up the heat - that's right, it's all about heating systems. It's not a topic that we're experts on, but we will take you through how we made the decisions in our previous homes around which type of boiler to choose, radiators, underfloor heating, and heat pumps. We will tell you all about the mistakes we made and the things that we would do again.

Items mentioned:

• Combi-boilers
• Underf...

We are joined by the inimitable Laura de Barra. She is a three-time best-selling author and "SheIY" expert who is going to tell us everything we should be looking for when viewing property as well as keeping it all running smoothly once you've moved in. So sit back and prepare yourself for a schooling by the Gaff Goddess herself.

Items mentioned:

• Laura de Barra books - Gaff Goddess, Decor Galore, and Garment Goddes...

 Today on Rip It Up we are joined by Gráinne Gillett who became an internet renovation sensation in 2022 when she took on a seriously rundown Victorian cottage in Dublin, documenting every step of the transformation and getting very hands-on in the process. With a keen eye for interiors and an impressive DIY skill set, Gráinne has inspired countless people to take on their own renovation projects. 

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For the last episode of 2024, Kate and Jenny take you through their ultimate Christmas gift guide

Best homewares / interiors gift we got

• Joseph Joseph nesting bowls
• Prints / artwork / framed photography
• Dried flowers (thecrate.ie)
• Anything with a gift receipt!
• Cheeseboards (personalised - check out slated.ie)
• Serving platters
• Plants
• La Boule - Villeroy & Boch
• Throw - McNutt of Donegal
• Hugo Byrne knives 
• Móinéir - Wicklow Way ...

We don't want to cause any panic, but it is nearly time to start thinking about Christmas. So here are all of our top tips for Christmas decorations, from the beautiful and chic to the gaudy and fun; from the DIY to the sustainable to the slightly more outlandish, we've got you covered.

Items mentioned:

• Flat Christmas trees - zig zag garland on wall using Command Hooks
• Wooden Christmas Trees - from Mon Sapin Wo...

In this episode, Kate and Jenny pull back the curtains (literally) to talk all things window dressings, from sleek blinds to cosy curtains.

Items mentioned:

• Roman blinds
• Emma J Shipley
• Hilja (ikea voile fabric)
• Lille - avoid
• Net curtain wire
• Cafe curtains
• Passementerie trim
• Pinch peat
• Recessed tracks
• Motorised tracks
• Switchbot - solar powered motor for opening and closing curtains and blinds
• Harry Corry for curtain rails
• The Fabric...

For this special live episode, Kate and Jenny are interviewed by the fabulous Jo Linehan from GAFF Interiors live onstage at the ideal home show in Dublin in October, 2024.

There is a little bit of background noise, but if you weren't able to make it in person then we hope you enjoy this live recording! Special shout out to Rowan for making it possible.

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Maybe you are in a short-term rental or maybe you are living in your home before you renovate it. Either way, this episode is all about quick fixes that you can implement easily and without breaking the bank to make your home feel a little bit more comfortable while you're there.

Items mentioned:

• Tension rods for temporary curtains
• Voile curtains - lightweight - Ikea Hilja
• Window insulation film
• Brush strips
• Draft excl...

You spend a third of your life in bed, so getting the right one is important! In this episode, Kate and Jenny take you through everything you need to know about picking your perfect bed, your perfect mattress, and your perfect sleep set-up.

Items mentioned:

• Get Laid Beds
• Made.com
• MLILY
• Your Sleep Number Beds
• Moebe
• Ottoman Bed
• Tempur
• Memory Foam Mattresses
• Pocket Spring Mattresses
• Slat caps

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This episode is all about Kate and Jenny's favourite household gadgets and gizmos. We had a lot to talk about here so there will be another follow-on episode soon!

Items mentioned:

KITCHEN GADGETS

• Rice cooker 
• Waffle iron
• Coffee Machine - Ninja
• Stand mixer - pasta attachments and ice-cream maker - Jenny has the Kitchen Aid and Kate has the KMix.
• Thermomix
• Tortilla warmer
• Air fryer - with rotisserie
• Slushie maker ...

Kate and Jenny are excited to bring you a very special guest - award winning Australian architect Georgina Wilson, founder of Georgina Wilson Associates and  Ask an Architect. Get ready for an absolute goldmine episode, chock-a-block with renovation revelations, and check out askanarchitect.co for more.

For this episode, we are very proud to be sponsored by Floretry. Floretry crafts contemporary floral designs that evoke a...

In this episode, Kate and Jenny take you through some key tips for how you can stay on budget during your renovation.

It doesn't have to compromise quality and it doesn't have to compromise aesthetics. But keeping on top of your budget throughout your whole renovation is sure to save you some money in the end.

Items mentioned:
- Jenny's budget tracker is available at jennysheahan.com
- Lefro...

In today's episode, Kate and Jenny help you to find your interior style. You know what you like and you have pictures, but you're not sure exactly how to pull it all together in your own space. Kate and Jenny will take you through some tips and tricks to get that professional look. 

Topics Referenced

• 7 Principles of Interior Design
• Creating Style Boards
• Canva 
• Google Slides / PowerPoint
• Mad About the House by Kate...

In this episode, Kate and Jenny give you the details of how to avail of the energy efficiency, conservation, vacant property, and derelict property grants available in Ireland.

Grants mentioned - check out https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/housing-grants-and-schemes/ for a thorough guide:

• Home Renovation Incentive - if works were done between 2013 - 2018 you could claim up to €4050
• Solar / PV panels grant.
• Ind...

In this episode Kate and Jenny are talking about thrifting, giving their best tips for finding unique pieces, knowing how to spot a bargain, and some upcycling advice for bringing pre-loved items back to their former glory.  (Please excuse my scratchy voice in this episode, I had a sore throat! - Jenny.)

Where to shop for second hand deals:
- adverts.ie
- donedeal.ie
- Kilkenny Architectural Salvage
- Pamon...

Following an absolute scorcher of a week in Ireland, Kate and Jenny are talking about gardens, and how a planned out well garden can be as good as having another room in your home. Kate and Jenny discuss everything from furniture and outdoor kitchens to plants and lighting, making your gardens such a haven you'll never want to go back indoors!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victor...