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

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 and doors.

What we cover:

• Why windows and doors must be decided early in a renovation
• Different window types - fixed, casement, tilt & turn, sliding and bi-fold
• Choosing the right frame materials (uPVC, aluminium, timber, alu-clad)
• Double vs triple glazing - and when each is worth it
• Designing for light, privacy and ventilation
• Front doors vs secondary doors - function, security and everyday use
• Sliding, bi-fold, and French doors - pros, cons and real-life trade-offs
• Thresholds, flow and how doors actually feel to use day-to-day

Key considerations

• Start with use, not style - how will you actually live with these openings?
• Opening direction, clearance and furniture placement matter more than you think
• Bigger isn’t always better - especially with large, heavy doors
• Plan for privacy without losing light

Items mentioned

• Fineo slim double glazing
• Spring sash windows

This episode focuses on the early planning decisions - helping you avoid costly mistakes and choose windows and doors that work for your home long-term.

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

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 we come back to again and again - whether we’re working on our own homes or recommending to others.

If you’re renovating, decorating or just love discovering great Irish suppliers, this is a brilliant place to start.

What this episode is about:

• Our go-to Irish suppliers across home, interiors and renovation
• A mix of well-known names and hidden gems
• Brands we’ve used ourselves or consistently recommend
• Ideas and inspiration for sourcing locally in Ireland

🔤 The A–Z List

A - April and the Bear
B - Browsers
C - CA Design
D - Des Kelly
E - EZ Living Furniture
F - Finline Furniture
G - Grove Home
H - Havwoods
I - Industry & Co
J - Jam Art Factory
K - Kilkenny Architectural Salvage
L - LoftStyle
M - Mullan Lighting
N - Newbridge Fabric Outlet
O - Oriana B
P - POD Furniture
Q - Quirkes Homevalue
R - Rosalin’s
S - Savvy Kitchens
T - Tiles and Terrazzo
U - Ulster Carpets
V - Vintage Dublin
W - Woo Design
X - XO Tile
Y - Yeats Country Antiques
Z - Zozimus Gallery

🎧 Who this episode is for

• Homeowners planning a renovation
• Anyone sourcing furniture, finishes or homewares in Ireland
• Listeners looking to shop more locally
• People who love discovering new brands and suppliers

💡 Save this episode! It’s one you’ll come back to when you’re shopping for your own home or for gifts.

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

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 cover

• Why bathroom layouts should be decided early in a renovation
• Planning clearances - it's recommended to have a space 800mm wide and 700mm deep for your toilet
• Keeping the toilet out of the main sightline where possible
• Wall-mounted taps, channelled walls, and other early plumbing decisions
• Shower planning, including tileable shower trays (only when the area is properly tanked)
• Lighting and electrics - we love wall lights and demister pads
• Storage solutions - alcove shelves

Items mentioned

• IKEA FAXÄLVEN mirror with integrated light
• Roberto Tiranti concrete sink (Etsy)
• Naka shower shelves

This episode focuses on the planning stage of bathroom design - getting the layout right before plumbing, electrics and finishes are locked in.

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