Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast
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
Episodes
76 episodes
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 shou...
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 hom...
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
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...
#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'...
#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...
#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 Vic...
#62 Nancy Meyers Homes - Unpacking Iconic Homes
In this episode of our Unpacking Iconic Homes series, we dive into the interiors of the most famous Nancy Meyers movies - from The Holiday and Something’s Gotta Give to It’s Complicated and Father of the Br...
#61 Jamie Laing & Sophie Habboo’s Home - Unpacking Iconic Homes
In this new series, Unpacking Iconic Homes, we're picking six iconic homes, some that recently went viral and some that have stood the test of time. We'll be discussing design elements, color palettes, items we love, things we would chan...
#60 The Home Reset - Staying Organised and Decluttering After Renovation, with Hazel Burton
Renovation might be finished - but the real challenge starts when you move back in. In this episode, we’re joined by Hazel Burton from The Home Reset to talk about how to stay clutter-free and organised throughout a renovation.
#59 When Renovations Go Wrong - Snags, Fixes & What To Do Next
Renovations rarely go exactly to plan, and that’s normal. In this final episode of our 'What We Wish We Knew Then' series, we talk about what happens when things go wrong, from minor snags to bigger issues, and how to handle them calmly ...
#58 - Balance, Proportion, & Colour - Interior Decorating Explained
Having a good eye for design is partly an art - but there is a science to it too, and it's something you can learn. It’s about understanding the components of what makes a room just work. In this episode, we break down the core principles of in...
#57 - Layout, Planting & Outdoor Rooms - Garden Design Explained
Gardens are often treated as the final step in a renovation - but they can completely transform how you live, entertain and use your home. In this episode, we break down the big landscaping decisions, from layout and materials to plantin...
#56 - Prep, Colour & Finish - Painting Explained for Renovations
A great paint job has far less to do with the paint tin than most people think. In this episode, we focus on preparation, paint quality, finishes, choosing the right colours for your home, and the mistakes that ruin your paint jobs.Wh...
#55 - Floors, Levels & Transitions - Flooring Explained for Renovations
Flooring is one of the biggest design decisions in a renovation - but it’s also structural, thermal, and incredibly hard to change later. In this episode, we cover everything from timber, tile and LVT to polished concrete, terrazzo, c...
#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 a...
#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...
#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 coverWhy bathroom layout...
#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...
#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 f...
#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 mo...
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 le...
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,...