Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast (Jenny Sheahan and Kate O'Driscoll)

In episode one, Jenny & Kate introduce themselves and talk through their own house buying and renovation journeys. Jenny renovated a small cottage in Dublin with clever space saving design and Kate renovated a period Victorian home with a lot of her own elbow grease and DIY skills.

Thank you to our episode sponsor Finline Furniture for making this recording possible. Book a design consultation at finlinefurniture.ie

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

This episode is all about kitchens where Kate & Jenny cover everything from functional layout to colours and countertops. They talk through all the decisions they each made in their own kitchens, and why.

Thank you to our episode sponsors Finline Furniture (finlinefurniture.ie) and Savvy Kitchens (savvykitchens.ie) for making this recording possible.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Following on from the previous Episode 2 on kitchens, this 3rd episode is a deep dive into choosing the right kitchen materials, from joinery to counter tops. Solid wood vs. MDF? Quartz vs. porcelain? Kate & Jenny will cover it all.

Thank you to our episode sponsors Finline Furniture (finlinefurniture.ie) and Savvy Kitchens (savvykitchens.ie) for making this recording possible.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode, Kate and Jenny talk through all the key items of furniture you may need to buy along your renovation journey. They cover everything from designer pieces and custom sofas to thrifting and upcycling.

Thank you to our episode sponsor Finline Furniture for making this recording possible. Book a design consultation at finlinefurniture.ie

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode, Kate & Jenny will step the listener through the building process, talk through key construction terminology and sequencing, and highlight key decisions to be made throughout.

Thank you to our episode sponsor Finline Furniture for making this recording possible. Book a design consultation at finlinefurniture.ie

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode, Kate and Jenny discuss the importance of creating a lighting plan for your home, and how to get the right style, brightness, and ambiance for each room in your home throughout different times of the day.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode, Kate and Jenny dive into how to choose the perfect paint colours for your home, whether premium brand paints are worth it, and how to create a cohesive colour palette. This episode is kindly sponsored by Irish paint brand Farrelly & Co - follow them on instagram @farrellyandco or head to their website farrellyandco.com

Paint colours mentioned:
- Misty Rose by Farrelly & Co.
- Drop Cloth, Shaded White, Schoolhouse White, Railings, Studio Green, Rangwali, and India Yellow by Farrow and Ball.
- Subtle, Arctic Blonde, and Wild Raspberry by Colourtrend.
- Caldwell Green by Benjamin Moore.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode about bathrooms, Kate and Jenny delve into everything from taps and toilets to tiles and tanking.

Items mentioned:
- Terrazzo and Zellige tiles, both from Mosaic Factory.
- Microcement
- Tileable shower tray
- Coloured grout
- Lefroy Brooks hardware
- Japanese soaking baths (Ibani)
- Tile sealant
- Concealed thermostat
- Back to the wall cisterns
- Bidet hoses

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Kate and Jenny are joined by Rachel and Alan - professional painters and founders of Farrelly & Co, an Irish premium painting company. Rachel and Alan answer lots of listener-submitted questions about choosing the right colours, finding the right painter, and taking on a DIY painting project.

Items mentioned:

Off white paint colours mentioned:
- Trig - Farrelly & Co
- Milk Teeth - Colourtrend
- Arctic Blond - Colourtrend
- Schoolhouse White - Farrow & Ball
- Sandycove - Farrelly & Co (green undertones)

Coloured paint colours mentioned:
- Invisible Green - Edward Bulmer
- Fremantle - Farrelly & Co (Aubergine)
- London Clay - Farrow & Ball (Aubergine / Brown)
- India Yellow - Farrow & Ball (dark yellow)

Sanders and tools:
- Festool - https://www.festool.ie/

Caulk:
- Siroflex

Painter’s tape:
- Low tack Fleetwood tape


High gloss front door painting:
- @zkpainting on Instagram

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

This episode is all about flooring. So whether you're thinking of cozy carpet, timeless timber, or luxury lino, Kate and Jenny have got you covered.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode, Kate and Jenny go through everything to do with choosing the right external windows and doors - from your front door to Crittall-style doors, and from sash windows to sunroofs.

Items mentioned:
- Aluclad windows - engineered wood surrounding metal mechanisms
- Bi-fold doors - you need more space than you think to fold them away
- Crittall and Crittal-style steel-framed windows and doors
- Fineo glass - ultra thin glazing
- Velux Cabrio - balcony roof-window
- Sun tunnels
- Switchable Privacy Glass 

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode, Jenny and Kate discuss how to design for clever storage solutions during the renovation process. We are delighted to be sponsored by the Organised Store for this episode - check out their extensive catalogue at organisedstore.ie

Items mentioned:

- The Elfa system
- The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt
- Ottoman bed and storage stools
- Bench seating with storage underneath and a hinged lid (not drawers)
- Muuto wall dots
- Wicker baskets 
- Recessed  wall storage (especially in bathrooms)
- Low hallway storage
- Ikea Vesken narrow storage

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

In this episode, Kate and Jenny give you their best tips and some simple guidelines to follow for getting the layout of each room just right.

Items mentioned:
- The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt
- PowerPoint or Google Sheets
- Graph paper
- Laser measure
- Room Planner
- SketchUp
- Morpholio Trace
- Samsung Frame TV
- Slim frame sofa
- Rattan or sisal rugs (or jute)

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 @victorianrathmines

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
- Pamono.eu
- The Vintage Hub
- Pete’s Antiques
- Acquired.ie
- Francis Street, Dublin - full of antique shops
- Vision Ireland (formerly NCBI) 
- Facebook Marketplace
- Catawiki.com
- Irish Chimney Pieces

Furniture brands mentioned:
- G-Plan
- Mackintosh
- Willis & Gambier

Other items mentioned:
- Annie Sloan chalk paint
- Contact paper
- Foam2Home
- Tiffany lamps
- Murano glass

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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.
• Individual home energy upgrade grant - if you are choosing individual energy efficiency works e.g. insulation, PV panels, heat pumps. 
• Home Energy Upgrade grant - if you are doing a whole house energy retrofit that will get the BER to B2 or higher.
• Grant scheme to replace lead pipes and fittings. 
• Free energy upgrades - if you in receipt of welfare, carers allowance, etc. 
• Home Energy Upgrade Loan Scheme - low interest loan for energy retrofit.
• Vacant or derelict homes grant - if renovating a house that has been unoccupied for over 2 years.
• Conservation grant - if renovating a period property with conservation requirements on it.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 Watson-Smyth
• The Great Indoors Podcast by Kate Watson-Smyth and Sophie Robinson
• "Something New, Something Old, Something Black, Something Gold" - advice from Kate Watson-Smyth
• Farrow and Ball - Colour Card
• https://coolors.co/ - Colour Palette Generator
• Image Interiors (magazine)
• IHIL - Irish Homes Interiors and Living (magazine)

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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
- Lefroy Brooks (bathrooms)
- Villeroy & Boch (bathroom)
- Kitchen Aid stand mixer
- First Fix (stage of renovation up to where plaster is put on the walls)
- Gannon & associates landscaping - gannonandassociates.ie
- Bosch tools
- DeWalt tools
- Coloured grout
- Mid-century modern antique phone table
- Paste-the-wall wallpaper
- Easy to clean rugs - polyester, polypropylene, short-pile rugs
- Contact paper to cover countertops
- Subway tiles

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 connection to the Irish landscape. With a commitment to sustainability, Floretry uses Irish grown flowers to create unique floral styling for weddings, TV, film, and events. If you are planning a wedding, get in touch at floretry.ie and quote "Rip It Up" for a 20 percent discount on their wedding packages.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 - Ninja (for frozen margaritas!)
• Multifunction/steam oven - steamer, sous vide, proving drawer, self-cleaning - we both have AEG ovens
• Combi-oven - oven, grill, microwave - we both have AEG
• Split-oven - Samsung Dual Cook
• Drawer fridge on island - Fisher Paykel
• Split drawer dishwasher - growing trend of 2 dishwashers
• Boiling/Sparkling water tap/carbonator - Grohe, Quooker, Arke, SodaStream
• Downdraft Hob - timer is so useful. Ours is the Bora Pure.
• Ice maker
• Kenwood bread maker

GARDEN GADGETS

• Robot lawnmower
• Sensor lights
• Smart irrigation systems
• Car Charger

HOUSEHOLD GADGETS

• Projectors!! Jenny has the Samsung Freestyle.
• Kärcher window vacuum
• Solar powered fairy lights on timers
• Outdoor lights - motion sensors / sunset sensor
• Electric car chargers
• Motorised blinds and curtains - (curtain driver) - SwitchBot

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 excluder
• Foil balloons for chimneys
• Contact paper / vinyl wrap
• Window film - reeded or frosted for privacy
• Decals for tiles 
• Command hooks
• Elfa wardrobe system
• VanDel - removal and delivery company
• Plug-in oil-filled radiators 

Simple quick fixes:

• Rugs
• Cushions
• Throws
• Baskets
• Plants
• Lamps and lampshades 
• Prints

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 Outlet, Newbridge, Kildare

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 Woody (monsapinwoody.fr)
• Dried fruit as decorations
• Eucalyptus garland
• Honeycomb paper balls
• Window stickers and chalk pens for window decorations
• Rockett St George for fun Christmas decor (rockettstgeorge.co.uk)
• Rustins spray paint in matte hessian for DIY baubles
• Warm fairy lights
• Disco ball fairy lights from Flying Tiger
• Hall of baubles - hang from ceiling with clear Command Hooks
• Splitter / transformer with multiple sockets to centrally control lights
• Vondels Christmas ornaments stocked at April and the Bear (aprilandthebear.com)
• DIY cookie jars - layer the dry ingredients for cookies into glass jars and write the recipe on a pretty tag
• Risk of botulism from home-made chilli oil
• Handbag hooks to hang stockings
• @foxnestfood on instagram - flavoured butters
• No Messin Mince Pies

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 Wines - Irish fruit wines
• Sheepskin slippers - Irish Hide Designs
• Coffee table books - soho house, rose Uniacke, assouline, Monocle
• Candles - Sines
• Glassware-classic styles - Ferm Living
• Cocktail stuff
• High quality spirits
• Restaurant vouchers
• Plants
• Sines-candle holder
• Marble serving board
• Fancy S&P grinders
• Le Creuset
• Custom calendar
• Flower subscription/house plant 
• Bougie hand soap - Aesop, Meraki 
• Fancy versions of board games - HAY
• Candles
  • Somas
  • La Bougie
  • Sines (refillable)
• Sustainable shopping
  • Second hand
  • Consumables (food / candles / plants)
  • Locally made
  • Local restaurant / business vouchers
• DIY gifts
  • Anything baked
  • Cookie jars (layer the dry ingredients for cookies in a jar and write the recipes)
  • Hand scrub (dried coffee grounds, caster sugar, oil)

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

 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. 

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

 In this episode, Kate and Jenny discuss  the main renovation mistakes that we have either made ourselves or that we have seen our clients making. We want to save you time and money by learning from our mistakes, so be sure to listen to the whole episode!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 Goddess
• Lighting - look for lower Kelvins for warm, cosy lighting
• Use smart bulbs for lamps
• Bosch laser measure for accurate measuring
• Cut out fabric templates for bed sizes

About the episode:
Laura shares her journey from the fashion industry to property development. She emphasizes the importance of quality tools, providing advice on using Bosch tools like laser measures and stud finders. She discusses the importance of proper home maintenance, such as resealing bathroom silicone and regular cleaning of appliance filters. Laura also provides practical tips for renters and homeowners, like measuring spaces accurately and utilizing lighting effectively. She advocates for being intentional about home improvements and maintaining a relationship with household items. Additionally, she suggests negotiating rental prices by looking at listings that have been on the market for a while and learning from neighbors about potential issues.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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
• Underfloor heating (gas)
• Devimats (electric underfloor heating - for small areas)
• Skirting-board heating - ThermaSkirt
• Heat pumps (for heating and cooling)
• Electric radiators
• Zoning - to control heating in different areas of your home
• Smart thermostats

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 - Asko and Nimo Verken
• Foxy Dry/Sheila Maid
• Laundry chute 
• Washer/dryer stacking kit
• Smart appliances - Samsung
• Foldable ironing board - Joseph Joseph
• Drawer ironing board
• Over the door hanging storage

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

 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 our best to make it sound good.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines