Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

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 and effectively.
What we cover:
 The most common things that go wrong (including our own disasters!) 
 How to create and manage a snag list
 Issues you can expect - from cracks and leaks to finishing details 
 How to communicate clearly with builders and trades 
 Why retention is critical - and when to use it
 What to do if work isn’t fixed or things become difficult 
 When to escalate and what support is available 
Key takeaways
 Most renovation issues are normal and fixable
 Clear communication and documentation are your biggest tools 
 Retention protects you - agree it early 
 A successful renovation is one where problems are resolved, not avoided 
A practical, honest guide to navigating the final (and often most stressful) stage of any renovation.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 interior design and how to apply them in your homes.

What we cover:
The 7 key design principles: proportion, balance, unity, rhythm, emphasis, contrast, and detail.
How to use repetition and contrast to create a cohesive space.
Choosing colour based on tone and shade.
The most common layout mistakes - from rugs and artwork to furniture placement.
Mood boards, finding your style and not panic shopping.
The “slow interiors” approach - it's totally fine to take your time.
Key takeaways:
Good design is about proportion and layout first, styling second.
Colour decisions should always start with the light in your space.
The best interiors evolve over time - not in one shopping trip.

This episode is a practical guide to creating a home that feels juuuust right.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 planting, pergolas and outdoor rooms.
What we cover
 How much to budget for landscaping and where the money really goes 
 Designing your garden in zones: dining, relaxing, planting, storage and outdoor kitchens 
Optimise for light - don't just plonk your patio outside your back door
 Choosing paving materials: porcelain, natural stone and gravel 
 Timber vs composite decking and long-term maintenance 
 Planting strategies that create year-round structure without overwhelm 
 Common planting mistakes and how to avoid a messy, high-maintenance garden 
 Awnings, pergolas and shade options for the Irish climate 
 Garden rooms, offices and adding usable outdoor square footage 
 Furniture sizing, durable materials and weather-proof storage 
Projects & items mentioned
 Jenny’s living wall by Gannon & Associates Landscape Architecture
 Kate’s garden design by Louise Checa Landscape Architecture
Amelanchier lamarckii as a favourite tree for seasonal structure and softness 
The big takeaway: spend on structure, groundwork and layout first - planting and styling come afterwards.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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.
What we cover
 Why painting is 80% prep and 20% paint
 Filling, sanding, taping and the ungodly amount of dust
 Fresh plaster - use a mist coat to prevent peeling later 
 What you’re really paying for in high-quality paint 
 Why to be wary of colour matching
 Choosing the right finish: various matt finishes, eggshell, satin, and gloss 
 How light affects your paint colour
How to test paint in your room
 How to choose the right off-white for your room 
Items mentioned
Festool dust extractor
Wooster paintbrushes
Purdy rollers
Our favourite off-white paints
Slaked Lime - Little Greene
Schoolhouse White - Farrow & Ball
Powdered Shell - Colourtrend
Subtle - Colourtrend
Trigg - Farrelly & Co
Greene Street - Prestige by Fleetwood (Roisin Lafferty collection)
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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, carpets, subfloors and underfloor heating compatibility.
What we cover
 Engineered timber vs solid timber - and why engineered wood is so popular these days 
 Stone, porcelain and the maintenance requirements
 LVT, glue-down vs click, why levelling is everything
 Polished concrete - is it right for Irish homes? 
 Terrazzo tiles vs poured terrazzo 
 Carpet, acoustics and the role of good underlay 
 The real hero: subfloor preparation, moisture control and levelling
 Which flooring types work best with underfloor heating
 Floor build-ups, levels and how to avoid awkward transitions 
Key takeaways
 Choose flooring based on use, comfort and maintenance, not just aesthetics 
 Every flooring failure usually comes back to poor prep
 Underfloor heating should influence your flooring choices early 
 Mixed materials need finished floor levels planned at design stage
This episode is packed with the practical decisions that help flooring feel seamless, durable and right for how you actually live.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines