Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

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

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
Why kitchens are usually the first major design decision in a renovation
The layout choices that affect plumbing, electrics and budget
Why the classic “kitchen triangle” is outdated
Designing kitchens in practical zones: storage, prep, cooking and cleaning
Storage strategies that make kitchens easier to live with
Floor-to-ceiling units, drawers vs cupboards and corner solutions
Planning sockets, appliances and everyday countertop clutter
We also share the biggest kitchen regrets - from narrow islands to nowhere to hide clutter.
This is part 1 of a two-part kitchen episode - in the next episode we’ll cover appliances, materials and kitchen lighting.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 first fix and second fix stages of your renovation. This is the second of a two-part episode on creating your M&E plan - we covered the mechanical plan in our previous episode.
💡 What we cover in this episode:
Lighting basics: lumens, kelvins and how to create a plan
Creating layered lighting - general, task and soft mood lighting
Choosing adjustable spotlights, LED strips, and avoiding mixed light tones
Where to place sockets, switches and other controls
Planning for charging points, vacuum routes and future flexibility
Data points, Wi-Fi planning and avoiding dead zones (especially in older Irish homes)
First fix vs second fix - when you need to make your key electrical decisions
👉 If you’re planning a renovation, this episode will help you avoid harsh lighting, missing sockets and costly changes later.
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ripitup_podcast_official, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines