Explore every episode of the podcast Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

How come some windows are double the price of others? Is doing your own DIY really worth the savings? How on earth do you choose between two wildly different builders' quotes? And is it possible to live on site during a renovation?

Fresh from our very first The HomePage renovation webinar (which we're delighted to report was a success!), we're tackling four of the big questions that come up time and again from homeowners planning a renovation.

This week we're getting into the practicalities of spending your renovation budget wisely, knowing when to pay for quality, and when taking matters into your own hands might actually cost you more.

Kate shares some hard-earned lessons from doing her own demolition work, including a rather alarming incident involving a wheelie bin full of rubble. We also discuss why the cheapest builder isn't necessarily the cheapest in the long run, what to look for when comparing window quotes, and whether living through a major renovation is ever a good idea.

What we cover:

• Windows: Is alu-clad really worth twice the price of uPVC? What matters when comparing frames, durability, warranties, and costs?
• DIY: Which renovation jobs are worth doing yourself, and which are better left to the professionals?
• Builders' quotes: Why can two quotes for the same job be so different? How to compare them properly and avoid expensive surprises.
• Living on site: Can you realistically stay in your house during a renovation, especially with young children? When might it work, and when should you move out?

Plus, the importance of proper preparation, hidden DIY costs, and why renovation dust is somehow capable of getting absolutely everywhere.

The HomePage

We loved discussing your questions at our first live renovation webinar this week! We plan to run more sessions, so keep an eye out for upcoming dates.

Our full renovation course, including practical workbooks, checklists, and a builder's quote comparison tool, is also available for presale.

Explore our renovation resources at https://www.thehomepage.ie

As always, we'd love to hear your questions and renovation dilemmas. Get in touch with us on Instagram!

Jenny & Kate

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

We launched a business!! If you are facing a renovation, check out thehomepage.ie, and don't forget to grab one of the remaining tickets to our Renovation Ready webinar on 4th November at 7:30pm. Now, on with the show...

Would we ever buy a new build? We're two women who have spent years renovating old houses, and helping clients do the same, but are we missing a trick? Would life be easier if we just bought something brand new?

This week we're weighing up new builds versus older homes, and it turns out there's quite a lot to love about both.

Kate shares her experience of buying an unfinished new build in Galway, and we talk about how to give a brand-new house some personality without trying to make it look like an ersatz Victorian mansion. From choosing your own kitchen finishes to avoiding endless spotlights and echoey porcelain floors, there are lots of little changes that can make a big difference.

We also get into overheating in modern homes, the appeal of low-maintenance apartment living, and some truly spectacular examples of modern architecture. Plus, one rather extraordinary €2 million house in Limerick that gives us plenty to discuss!

And before all that, there's a healthy dose of Halloween enthusiasm, sick children, and Christmas tree disasters.

What we cover:

• New build or doer-upper: what would we actually choose?
• Buying off-plan, and which decisions to influence before the developer finishes your house.
• How to add character to a new build without forcing traditional features into a modern home.
• The importance of flooring, lighting, window treatments, and natural materials.
• Why some well-insulated new homes can become unbearably hot in summer.
• Beautiful modern houses that have us dreaming of lottery wins.
• New builds versus renovating older homes: maintenance, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

Links and things we mention:

• Balsam Hill – the artificial Christmas tree brand Kate has ordered from.
• HUF HAUS – Jenny's dream modern prefabricated house.
• O House, Dublin 6 – the incredible modern house designed around a circular internal garden..
• Róisín Lafferty – inspiring contemporary design and wonderful use of natural materials.
• Suzie Mc Adam Design – beautiful Irish interiors.

We'd love to know what you think. Would you rather buy a brand-new home or an old house with character? And would you renovate again?

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

We're back to regular programming after an exhilarating and exhausting week launching thehomepage.ie last week! Check it out if you haven't already, and don't forget to grab one of the remaining tickets to our Renovation Ready webinar on 4th November at 7:30pm. 

OK, on with the show...

It seems like every dream kitchen these days comes with a enormous island, a row of uncomfortable bar stools, and enough worktop space to land a small aircraft. Do we really need all that?!

We love a good kitchen, but we're not convinced that every kitchen needs one. We're discussing what makes them so popular, where they earn their keep, and when they can end up getting in the way of a good kitchen design.

What we cover:

• Why everybody seems to want a kitchen island.
• The importance of getting your barstools right.
• The real advantages, from storage and prep space to entertaining.
• The downsides people forget: cost, clutter, awkward seating, and poor layouts.
• Islands versus peninsulas, kitchen tables, and other alternatives.
• Practical dimensions, clever storage ideas, and tips for planning your kitchen.
• What we'd choose for our own homes, and what we'd do differently.
• And we barely scratched the surface on pendants...

Whether you're planning a kitchen renovation or just wondering why yours doesn't work quite as well as it should, this one's for you.

Items mentioned:

AYTM barstools.

HAY barstools.

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

We've been keeping something from you…

After over two years, more than 80 podcast episodes, and countless conversations about renovations, we've spent the past year working very hard on something very special.

We're launching The HomePage!

We've taken everything we've learned from renovating our own homes, helping other homeowners, and making Rip It Up, and turned it into a new platform designed to make renovating a home a little less overwhelming.

In this special episode, we're telling you the whole story. How we went from two Home of the Year contestants chatting about renovations over glasses of wine to podcast hosts, business partners, and now founders of The HomePage. We talk about what we've learned, the many twists and turns along the way, and why building a business (and a tech platform!) has been quite a bit harder than either of us anticipated.

Most importantly, we explain what we've actually built and how we hope it will help you plan, budget, and manage your own renovation with more confidence.

What we cover:

• How Rip It Up began, and why we decided to take things further.
• The biggest challenges we've seen homeowners face when renovating.
• How The HomePage evolved from an idea into a renovation education platform.
• Our new Personalised Renovation Roadmap, with tailored advice, indicative costs, and next steps for your own project.
• Our upcoming renovation webinar, detailed renovation programme, workbooks, and practical tools.
• What we've learned from a year of building a business together.

Our first live Renovation Webinar is on Wednesday 4 November at 7.30pm! We'll take you through the renovation process from start to finish, the big decisions you need to make, and the common mistakes to avoid. Places are limited, and bookings will be open from Friday 16th October.

Explore The HomePage, see a sample Renovation Roadmap, and book your webinar place at https://www.thehomepage.ie

We're also officially launching at the Ideal Home Show in the RDS on Friday 16th October, where we'll be joining Jo Linehan on the DFS Interiors Theatre stage at 4.20pm. Come and say hello!

And finally, a huge thank you to everyone who has listened, shared the podcast, sent us questions, or helped us with research over the past year. Your support and feedback have genuinely shaped what we've built.

We're not going anywhere. Rip It Up continues, and we're very excited about what comes next.

Love,

Jenny & Kate.

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

Jenny thinks tiles are one of the great joys of interiors and would happily spend the entire renovation budget on them. Kate… would not.

This week, we’re asking when expensive tiles are actually worth the money, when you can achieve almost exactly the same effect for far less, and which choices we’d make differently after living with our own renovations.

We talk overpriced porcelain, real terrazzo and limestone, Zellige tiles, trends, grout colours, clever layouts, outdoor tiles, mosaics, and the surfaces that are much harder to upgrade later.

We cover:

• Why we wouldn’t pay premium prices for ordinary porcelain
• How to make cheap tiles look expensive with layout and grout
• Where it is worth investing in tiles
• Why floors require more thought than walls
• Real stone and terrazzo versus imitation finishes
• Whether you should avoid “trendy” tiles
• Jennifer’s enduring love affair with Zellige and terrazzo
• Kate’s limestone floors, and the pattern she’s already slightly tiring of
• Why outdoor tiles need particular thought in an Irish climate
• The cleaning problem with mosaics and lots of grout

The big takeaway: work out whether tiles are something you genuinely care about. If they are, spend deliberately on materials and areas you’ll live with for years. If they aren’t, simple inexpensive tiles can look fantastic when the layout, colour and grout are well considered.

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

You’ve just spent a fortune renovating, your bank account is empty, and now you've a load of empty rooms and a massive shopping list...

Couch. Dining table. Chairs. Beds. Side tables. Armchairs. Coffee table. Console. Bar stools…

This week on Don’t Waste Your Money On…, we’re talking furniture, and why one of the most expensive mistakes you can make at the end of a renovation is trying to furnish the entire house at once.

We talk about why rooms often come together better when you buy slowly, how living in a space changes what you realise you actually need, and why we’d rather invest in one key piece and let everything else build around it over time. 

We also get into secondhand furniture, Adverts finds, vintage pieces, IKEA stopgaps, reupholstery, recovering old sofas, clearance finds, and how some of the best pieces in our homes cost almost nothing.

What we cover

• Why there is no deadline to have your home “finished”
• The danger of panic-buying furniture at the end of a renovation
• Why we’d invest in one anchor piece per room
• Living in a room before deciding what it really needs
• How furniture layouts can change once you actually use the space
• Buying the bare minimum when you move in
• Adverts, DoneDeal, Marketplace, salvage yards, and secondhand shops
• Why patience makes you better at spotting good vintage pieces
• Kate’s half-price dream dining table
• €50 Aldi nesting tables that became one of the most asked-about pieces in Kate’s house
• IKEA sofas as temporary or long-term options
• Buying furniture with removable and replaceable covers
• Jenny’s €50 Vision Ireland couch
• Kate’s free BoConcept couch
• Reupholstering and recovering furniture instead of replacing it
• When custom furniture really is worth spending on
• Why mixing old, new, inexpensive, vintage, and custom pieces gives a room more character 

The big takeaway

There's no deadline to have your home furnished

Buy the things you genuinely need. Invest in the important pieces. Then give yourself time to collect the rest.

Once you’ve lived in the house, you’ll know where you actually put your drink, which way you naturally sit, how many dining chairs you really use, what storage is missing, and which empty corner needs filling. 

Places and products mentioned:

• Adverts
• DoneDeal
• Facebook Marketplace
• Vision Ireland
• IKEA HILLTARP sofa
• Bemz / replacement IKEA sofa covers
• CA Design
• The Vintage Hub
• Gaff Interiors
• Second Story Furnishing

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

Good lighting can completely transform a home. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend hundreds, or thousands, on every fitting before you move in.

In this episode of our Don’t Waste Your Money On… series, we’re talking light fittings, and making one very important distinction: the lighting plan belongs in the bones of your renovation; the decorative fittings don’t.

Prioritise the wiring, positions, switching, dimming, wall-light points, pendants, task lighting, and anything that will be difficult to add later. Then, if the budget is running out, put an inexpensive fitting on the wire and upgrade it when the bank balance has recovered. 

We share where we saved and splurged in our own homes, some of our favourite sources for lighting, the inexpensive styles we think are hard to get wrong, and why the bulb itself might matter more than you think.

What we cover

•  Why lighting design and light fittings are two different budget decisions
•  Prioritising wiring, switching, dimming, and getting connection points in the right places 
•  Why you shouldn’t remove wall lights or pendants from the electrical plan just because your dream fittings are expensive 
•  Which fittings we prioritised because they would be difficult to change later 
•  Where inexpensive high-street lighting can work perfectly well 
•  Why we both love plaster wall lights 
•  Built-in LED strips and the importance of hiding the strip and diffusing the light 
•  Alabaster, stone, and stone-effect wall lights 
•  Where we shop for lighting 
•  Clearance sections, sales, and buying fittings later in the renovation 
•  Vintage and secondhand lighting 
•  Why size matters with pendant lights in large rooms 
•  Simple fabric shades as an inexpensive interim option 
•  Why you shouldn’t be able to see the naked bulb 
•  The importance of choosing warm bulbs, around 2700K or below 

The big takeaway

Wire for the dream light. You don’t have to buy it yet.

If you know you want wall lights, pendants, dimmers, integrated LEDs, or particular lighting positions, put them into the electrical plan now. A decorative fitting can be swapped in minutes. Adding a missing lighting point after the walls are finished is a very different job. 

Products and suppliers mentioned:

•  Astro Lighting 
•  Astro Eclipse plaster wall light 
•  Next Home 
•  Made.com lighting 
•  Zara Home 
•  M&S Home 
•  Lampmasters 
•  Mullan Lighting 
•  Hicken Lighting 
•  Deco Nook 
•  Dusk Lighting 
•  Lamptwist 
•  Finnish Design Shop 
•  Light11 
•  Vaughan Designs 
•  Vintage / secondhand Murano and Tiffany-style glass lighting 

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

Custom curtains and blinds can add thousands at the end of a renovation. But are they something you really need to spend big on straight away?

This week on Don’t Waste Your Money On…, we’re talking curtains and window treatments: one of those finishing touches that can make a huge difference to a room, but can also be very easy to upgrade later.

We share what we’ve actually done in our own homes, from €5-a-metre fabric and ready-made H&M curtains to IKEA sheers, inexpensive roller blinds, DIY café curtains, and online made-to-measure options.

We also talk about the details that can make inexpensive curtains look much better, why getting the measurements and hanging position right matters enormously, and the circumstances where we absolutely think custom window treatments are worth the investment. 

What we cover:

•  Why we’d prioritise spending on the windows themselves before curtains and blinds 
•  Why window treatments are something you can often upgrade later 
•  Kate’s €5-a-metre Fabric Outlet curtains 
•  Where we’ve found good ready-made curtains 
•  Finding extra-long curtains for high ceilings 
•  DIY café curtains for privacy 
•  IKEA sheers and inexpensive roller blinds 
•  Ordering made-to-measure curtains and blinds online 
•  How doing your own measuring and installation can save significantly 
•  The right height, width, and length for hanging curtains 
•  Why curtains that are too short can ruin the look 
•  Layering sheers, roller blinds, and curtains 
•  Curtain poles versus ceiling tracks 
•  Planning recessed tracks during a renovation 
•  Privacy window film as a low-cost alternative 
•  Roman blinds and why accurate measuring is critical 
•  When custom curtains, blinds, or shutters really are worth paying for 

The big takeaway:

Spend on the window first.

Good windows, good installation, insulation, and weatherproofing are difficult and expensive to change later. Curtains and blinds aren't.

If the renovation budget is disappearing, inexpensive curtains hung beautifully can get you surprisingly far, and the dream custom versions can come later. 

Products and suppliers mentioned:

•  Fabric Outlet, Newbridge and Cork
•  Harry Corry curtain poles 
•  H&M curtains 
•  IKEA HILJA sheers 
•  IKEA STOCKHOLM sheer curtains 
•  IKEA roller blinds 
•  Interior Fashions, Tipperary 
•  Gotain 
•  Nordic Knots 
•  Hang Man, Dublin 
•  Window privacy film

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

Bathroom vanities can cost hundreds, or easily thousands, of euro. But are you actually getting better quality when you spend more?

In the first episode of our new Don’t Waste Your Money On… series, we’re talking about one area where we both think you can save: the bathroom vanity.

We talk about why many off-the-shelf vanities are fundamentally very similar, what we’ve used in our own homes, and how a basic unit can be transformed with paint, new hardware, legs, or a beautiful countertop basin.

We also look at secondhand and antique furniture as an alternative, where it is worth spending your bathroom budget, and the circumstances where we think a properly custom-made vanity is absolutely worth the money. 

What we cover:

•  Why we wouldn’t automatically spend big on an off-the-shelf bathroom vanity 
•  The vanity-sizing mistake we see people make 
•  Why going wider can give you much better storage and usable countertop space 
•  Our experience with IKEA bathroom vanities 
•  How Kate painted her existing vanity 
•  How Jennifer upgraded inexpensive vanities with new legs, handles, and statement basins 
•  Using antique washstands, sideboards, and secondhand furniture as vanities 
•  Countertop basins versus integrated sinks 
•  Wall-mounted versus deck-mounted taps 
•  Where we’d spend the money instead 
•  When a custom vanity really is worth paying for 
•  Some of the bathroom and interiors suppliers we use and recommend 

Our takeaway:

Save on the box. Spend on the jewellery.

A relatively inexpensive vanity can look far more expensive with a great basin, taps, hardware, or a clever paint finish. And if you eventually decide to replace the unit, some of those elements can move with you. 

Products and suppliers mentioned:

•  IKEA bathroom vanities 
•  Superfront handles and furniture legs 
•  Etsy 
•  Roberto Tiranti 
•  McCarren Supply
•  Deluxe Bathrooms 
•  Gran Lusso 
•  Fiora 
•  Kave Home 
•  Ireland Royale Stone

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

We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded!

Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September.

In this episode, we talk about what happens when things go wrong, from minor snags to bigger issues, and how to handle them effectively.

if you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at.

We'll be back next week with brand-new episodes.

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

We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded!

Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September.

In this episode we give your our best tips plus lessons learned from our own encounters (positive and less positive!) with local planning authorities.

if you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at.

We'll be back in September with brand-new episodes.

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

We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded!

Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September.

In this episode, we break down the layout and planning decisions that make a bathroom comfortable, functional and easy to live with.

if you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at.

We'll be back in September with brand-new episodes.

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

We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded!

Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September.

This is one of our most popular episodes ever. In this episode, we break down the early decisions that will make your kitchen renovation successful.

if you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at.

We'll be back in September with brand-new episodes.

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

We're taking a short summer break - but we didn't want to leave you stranded!

Over the next few weeks we're re-sharing some of our most popular episodes from the Rip It Up archive while we recharge for a brand-new season in September.

This episode is one of our very first and one of our favourites! In this episode, Kate & Jenny step the listener through the building process, talk through key construction terminology and sequencing, and highlight key decisions to be made throughout. This episode was originally sponsored by Finline Furniture for making this recording possible. Book a design consultation at finlinefurniture.ie

If you're listening for the first time, we'd love to hear what stage of your renovation you're at.

We'll be back in September with brand-new episodes.

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

After weeks of hearing from builders, electricians, plumbers, painters, and kitchen designers, we're wrapping up our Trade Secrets series by looking back at the advice that stuck with us the most.

In this season finale, we revisit the biggest lessons from the experts, share the top renovation tips they'll be taking into every future project, and reveal what they think homeowners should prioritise if they want a smoother, less stressful renovation. 

What we cover

•  The decisions you need to make earlier than you think 
•  Where it's worth spending more - and where you can save your money 
•  Why communication is the secret to a smoother renovation 
•  The biggest mistakes homeowners make time and time again 
•  The advice that surprised us most from this season's trade experts 
•  Our own biggest renovation lessons after multiple projects 
•  What's coming next for the podcast 

Key takeaways

•  Understand the renovation process before you begin 
•  Invest in the things that are difficult to change later 
•  Don't rush to furnish or finish everything at once 
•  Ask questions and attend every important site walkthrough 
•  Design your home around the way you actually live, not someone else's Pinterest board 

We'll also be taking a short break during August while we recharge. We'll be re-sharing some of our most popular renovation episodes throughout the month before returning in September with brand-new episodes.

And we'd love your input.

Should we bring back more trades? Or would you like to hear from architects, quantity surveyors, interior designers, mortgage experts and other professionals involved in the renovation process? Or anything else?? Let us know below!

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

In this episode of Trade Secrets, we get top tips from paint professional Karena Hyland, Research & Development Manager at Fleetwood Paints. From surface preparation and choosing the right paint finish to how to buy the correct amount of paint and invest in quality products, this episode is packed with practical advice to help your paintwork stand the test of time. 

What we cover

•  Why preparation takes longer than most people expect 
•  The importance of filling, sanding and allowing repairs to cure properly 
•  Where it's worth spending more on paint, and where it isn't 
•  Why durable, washable paints are worth the investment in busy homes 
•  How to calculate the right amount of paint for your project 
•  The value of quality brushes, rollers and masking tape 
•  Why different rooms need different paint finishes 
•  Common mistakes people make when choosing paint based on colour alone 

Key takeaways

•  Great paint jobs are built on great preparation 
•  Choose paint for performance as well as colour 
•  Invest in quality products for high-traffic areas 
•  Don't rush surface preparation or curing times 
•  The cheapest paint job is rarely the best value in the long run 

Items mentioned

• Wooster paint brushes
• Purdy paint rollers
• Fleetwood Prestige Multi-surface paint finish
• Fleetwood low tack Washi Masking tape
• Fleetwood Easyclean Washable Matt (ideal for kitchen areas)

Whether you're choosing a painter, taking the DIY route, painting a single room or tackling an entire house, this episode will help you achieve a better finish, and avoid some very expensive mistakes.

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

Everyone dreams about their new kitchen, but what does a kitchen designer wish every homeowner knew before they started planning one?

In this episode of Trade Secrets, we hear from Dawn from Savvy Kitchens, the designer behind both Kate's kitchens and Jennifer's own kitchen renovation. Dawn shares the five biggest lessons she's learned from designing kitchens every day, from planning layouts before your drawings are finalised to avoiding the trap of designing for Instagram instead of real life. 

What we cover

•  Why your kitchen should be designed before construction drawings are signed off 
•  How kitchen layouts influence glazing, door positions, electrics and plumbing 
•  Where your kitchen budget is best spent, and where you can save 
•  Why expensive features aren't always the best investment 
•  The importance of communicating changes early 
•  Why every kitchen should be designed around your family's daily routine 
•  Common mistakes people make when copying Pinterest and Instagram kitchens 
•  Practical examples from Jennifer and Kate's own kitchen renovations 

Key takeaways

•  Design your kitchen around how you actually live, not how you wish you lived 
•  Bring your kitchen designer in as early as possible 
•  Invest in the features you'll use every single day 
•  Don't be afraid to challenge assumptions and ask questions 
•  A beautiful kitchen is one that works effortlessly for your lifestyle 

Whether you're choosing an IKEA kitchen or a fully bespoke design, these are the principles that make every kitchen function better. 

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

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

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 should know before starting a renovation. From planning bathrooms properly to investing in the plumbing you'll never see, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you avoid costly mistakes later on.

What we cover:

•  Why bathrooms, kitchens and utility rooms need to be planned much earlier than most people realise 
•  Why quality pipework matters more than expensive taps 
•  The plumbing components worth investing in from day one 
•  Why every homeowner should attend their plumbing walkthrough 
•  Common bathroom layout mistakes that affect how the space functions 
•  The importance of thinking beyond Pinterest-perfect bathrooms 
•  How good plumbing decisions save money in the long run 

Key takeaways:

•  Lock in bathroom layouts before first fix begins 
•  Spend money behind the walls, not just on the finishes 
•  Walk every room with your plumber before pipework is installed 
•  Good communication prevents expensive changes 
•  Design bathrooms for everyday life, not just for photos 

This episode is a reminder that the best plumbing is the plumbing you never have to think about.

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

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 homeowners, and lessons he's learned from years of managing home renovations.

From when to order kitchens and windows, to where you should spend and save your money, Jason shares practical advice that could save you delays, stress and expensive mistakes. 

What we cover

•  Why kitchens, windows and other long lead-time items need to be ordered early 
•  Where your renovation budget is best spent (and where it isn't) 
•  Why trendy finishes aren't always the right choice 
•  The importance of clear, direct communication with your builder 
•  How to avoid one of the biggest renovation mistakes: under-budgeting 
•  Why relationships with trusted suppliers keep projects running smoothly 
•  Budgeting for finishes, fittings and all the hidden extras 

Key takeaways

•  Plan the big decisions before work starts 
•  Invest in the structure; you can always upgrade furniture later 
•  Research trends before committing to them 
•  Communicate early, often and directly 
•  Keep a detailed budget and track every decision 

Guest

Jason Doyle, JEMI Construction

Jason has spent years managing full home renovations and extensions, coordinating multiple trades and helping homeowners navigate complex projects from demolition through to completion. In this episode, he shares the advice he wishes every client knew before starting a renovation.

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

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 Eleven Electrical to uncover the five biggest lessons homeowners should know before planning their electrical work. From socket positions and lighting layouts to future-proofing and avoiding costly mistakes, this episode is packed with practical advice that can save you time, money and years of frustration. 

What we cover

•  Why you need to plan furniture layouts much earlier than you think 
•  How bed positions, sofas and TVs affect socket placement 
•  What is worth spending money
•  Where you should save
•  The most common mistakes homeowners make - and how to avoid them
•  The importance of sharing updated drawings and communicating changes quickly 
•  Why electrical walkthroughs are one of the most important stages of a renovation 
•  Lighting, switching, Wi-Fi points, demister pads and all the details that are easy to overlook 

Key takeaways

•  Plan rooms around how you'll actually use them 
•  Future-proof while walls are open 
•  Communicate changes early and often 
•  Walk through every room before first fix 
•  Remember: you're the one who has to live with the decisions 

This episode is a practical guide to creating an electrical plan that works not just on paper, but in real life.

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

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 the most divisive home we've covered. Kate loves its warmth, personality and unexpected elements. Jenny thinks the bold design choices start competing with each other rather than working together.

From Viola marble and burgundy bathrooms to giant floral sofas, patterned wallpaper, and eclectic vintage-inspired details, we unpack what makes this house so memorable - and why it has sparked such strong reactions online. 

What we cover:

•  Heidi Caillier's signature layered and eclectic design style 
•  Why this home feels completely different from Kendall's previous Los Angeles house 
•  The rise of cosy, collected interiors and the rejection of minimalist perfection 
•  Pattern mixing, colour clashes and where personality becomes visual noise 
•  Why some people see warmth and others see chaos 
•  The psychology of "lived-in" luxury 
•  What makes a home feel cohesive (or not!!)
•  Which design ideas are worth borrowing and which are best left to Wyoming mountain chalets 

Design details mentioned

•  Viola marble kitchen 
•  Lacanche range cooker 
•  Lee Jofa Hollyhock fabric sofa 
•  Design Frères stools 
•  Jefferson West bookshelves 
•  Zia Tile 
•  Farrow & Ball Brinjal 
•  Farrow & Ball Salon Drab 
•  Lisa Fine Textiles wallpaper 
•  The Water Monopoly yellow sink 
•  Charles P. Rogers bed 
•  Finline Willow chair (similar to blue armchair in main bedroom)

Things we loved

•  Open fireplaces 
•  Timber-clad bathrooms 
•  The wood kitchen island 
•  The kitchen flooring 
•  Kendall's use of books, art and personal collections 
•  The sense of individuality running through the home 

The big debate:

• Does the house feel beautifully layered and collected?
• Or does it feel like several strong design ideas competing for attention?

This episode is less about whether the house is objectively "good" and more about what happens when a designer prioritises personality over perfection. 

Link to Kendall's Architectural Digest house tour: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/kendall-jenner-mountain-home

Link to Heidi Caillier's stunning portfolio: https://heidicaillierdesign.com/portfolio/

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

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't iconic because it was luxurious or perfectly designed. It's iconic because it conveyed Carrie's personality and a lifestyle many of us coveted. From the walk-in wardrobe and writing desk to the mismatched furniture and mint-green walls, every corner reflected the character who lived there.

We unpack why this tiny(ish) Manhattan apartment captured the imagination of an entire generation - and what it can teach us about creating homes with personality rather than perfection.

What we cover:

•  Why Carrie's apartment became as famous as the character herself 
•  The fantasy of independent city living in New York 
•  How the apartment expresses Carrie's personality
•  The famous walk-in wardrobe
•  The writing desk as the true heart of the home 
•  Mixing furniture, colours and styles without everything matching 
•  How the apartment evolved alongside Carrie throughout the series 

Design details discussed:

•  The iconic brownstone stoop 
•  Coloured walls - mint green / dusty blue / lavender / blush
•  Parquet floors
•  Layout - circular floorplan with kitchen in the middle
•  Eclectic vintage-inspired furnishings 
•  Open shelving and personal collections 
•  The writing nook at the window
•  Carrie’s walk-in closet 
•  Art, books and meaningful objects used as décor 

How to recreate this look:

• Use your books and magazines as decor
• Create a reading/writing nook by a window
• Mix furniture styles
• Add colour to rental walls (if allowed)
• Use freestanding storage

Key takeaways:

•  Our homes should express our personalities 
•  Character is more important than perfection 
•  Mixing styles can feel more authentic and interesting than matching everything 
•  Homes should evolve as your life evolves 
•  The best interiors feel personal, not staged 

This episode is a reminder that great homes don't need to be perfect - they need to feel like you.

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

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 admired a kitchen filled with richly veined marble, open shelving, vintage bar stools, artisan ceramics, oversized clay pots full of gigantic branches, and a luxuriously lived-in feel, there's a good chance Athena Calderone had something to do with it.

We unpack the kitchen that helped redefine modern interiors and explore how her approach to beauty, texture and restraint influenced an entire generation of homeowners.

What we cover:

•  How Athena Calderone helped popularise the organic luxury aesthetic 
•  Why her Brooklyn kitchen became one of the most copied spaces on Instagram 
•  The rise of travertine, limewash and natural materials 
•  Layering vintage and contemporary pieces without creating clutter 
•  Athena's bold, contrasting colour combinations
•  The art of styling shelves, surfaces and open spaces 
•  Organic minimalism versus cold minimalism 
•  How to recreate the EyeSwoon look on a realistic budget 

Design details & products mentioned

•  Limewash walls and textured finishes 
•  Travertine and boldly veined marble 
•  Vintage wooden stools and antique furniture 
•  Artisan ceramics and stoneware 
•  Steel-and-glass window walls 
•  Apparatus horsehair light fixtures 
•  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint 

Key takeaways

•  Stay true to the original character of your home
•  Mix antique pieces with new
•  Texture, texture, texture
•  Imperfection creates warmth and authenticity 
•  Organic luxury is more about atmosphere than expensive products 

This episode is a practical guide to one of the most influential interior styles of the last decade - and how to borrow the principles without needing a Brooklyn townhouse or a marble budget.

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

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 Victoria Beckham’s home to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s townhouse and the Jo Malone flagship space, we unpack what makes her interiors feel so calm, timeless and impossibly expensive. Rose Uniacke’s approach is a masterclass in restraint, texture, atmosphere and knowing what to leave out.

What we cover:

• Why Rose Uniacke interiors feel deeply calming and restorative
• The rise of “quiet luxury” and why people are rejecting trend-led interiors
• Warm chalky neutrals, tonal palettes and low-contrast spaces
• Why expensive homes often feel less decorated, not more
• Lime plaster walls, aged woods, linen curtains and imperfect finishes
• Layering antiques and modern pieces without feeling “period”
• Why lighting matters as much as - or more than - décor
• The psychology of negative space and restraint in interiors
• How to recreate the look without a multi-million-euro budget

Projects & references mentioned:

• Victoria Beckham’s home
• Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & Jason Statham’s townhouse
• Jo Malone London flagship spaces
• Rose Uniacke Studio

Design details & products mentioned

• Espagnolette handles for French doors
• Mill Road wood flooring
• Lime paint workshops and supplies by Maison Anna B. in Ireland
• Warm off-whites including:
  • School House Whie 
  • Slaked Lime
  • Joa’s White

Key takeaways

• Texture is everything
• Rose Uniacke interiors are all about editing, not adding
• Vintage pieces create warmth and curiosity
• Layered lighting instantly elevates a room
• The most luxurious homes usually feel relaxed, quiet and lived-in

This episode is essentially a masterclass in creating a home that feels calm, timeless and deeply considered, without falling into trend-driven design.

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

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 Bride - and unpack why these homes have become so deeply iconic. 

Nancy Meyers interiors aren’t just beautiful - they feel warm, layered, lived-in and deeply aspirational in a way that still feels attainable.

What we cover:

•  Why Nancy Meyers homes feel so comforting and timeless 
•  The signature palette: warm neutrals, off-whites, contrast, and the occasional pale blues, sage greens and earthy browns relative to the location
•  The art of layering (these homes are a masterclass)
•  Kitchens as the emotional centre of the home 
•  The role of texture: linen, stone, wood, panelling, marble and slipcovered furniture 
•  Why lighting is everything (there are never too many lamps!)
•  The famous The Holiday cottage (devastatingly it wasn’t actually real!!) 
•  French doors, open shelving, subway tile and the “collected over time” look 
•  How Nancy Meyers interiors balance elegance with practicality 

Design details mentioned:

•  Rosehill Cottage from The Holiday
• Something’s Gotta Give Hamptons interiors 
• It’s Complicated California warmth and layered neutrals 
•  Open shelving, plate racks and hanging pot rails 
•  Linen curtains and textured neutral rugs 
•  Fresh flowers, bowls of lemons and “lived-in” styling 

Paint colours & references mentioned:

•  Benjamin Moore: Gentle Cream, White Dove, Timid White 
•  Farrow & Ball: School House White, James White, Slipper Satin 
•  Fleetwood Prestige: Greene Street 
•  Ikea Stockholm sheer curtains 

Key takeaways:

•  Nancy Meyers homes work because they prioritise practicality over perfection 
•  Texture and layering is crucial
•  Great homes feel collected and lived in, not instantly finished 
•  Practical everyday objects can be part of the styling 
•  The goal isn’t minimalism - it’s comfort, character and ease 

This episode is essentially a masterclass in creating a home that feels timeless, welcoming and deeply liveable. 

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

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 change, and breaking down how to recreate the look on a more realistic budget. In the first episode of our new series, we take a deep dive into Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo’s wildly viral London townhouse renovation - designed by Jojo Barr of House Nine Design - and break down exactly why it works. From colour drenching to honed marble, arches and layered textures, we unpack the design decisions behind one of the internet’s most talked-about homes. 

What we cover

•  Why the house feels luxurious without feeling stiff or untouchable.
•  The deep green, fully colour-drenched north-facing front room - and why dark rooms should sometimes lean into darkness.
•  How texture does the heavy lifting: bouclé, velvet, marble, limewash, linen and natural wood.
•  The kitchen: dramatic countertop, fluted island detailing, panelled ceilings and custom chairs.
•  Why continuity matters - repeated brass finishes, arches and warm earthy tones throughout the house.
•  The bathroom: Viola marble, checkerboard tiles and that huge shower enclosure.
•  The cinema room (the one room we disagree on!)
•  The art of mixing antiques and modern pieces to create a home that feels layered and lived-in.
•  Which elements are timeless - and which might date.

Design details & products mentioned:

•  House Nine Design / Jojo Barr 
•  Honed marble finishes 
•  Smallbone kitchen 
•  Bang & Olufsen speakers 
•  Wabi-sabi style pendant lights 
•  Calacatta Viola marble 
•  Ca’ Pietra tiles 
•  "Tamarind" by Benjamin Moore
•  "Peat Basket" by Colourtrend

Key takeaways

•  Texture is so important!! 
•  Dark rooms can be embraced - not every room needs to be lightened up. 
•  Layering and contrasting natural materials creates warmth and depth.
•  Repetition and continuity make homes feel cohesive.
•  You don’t need millions in the bank to recreate, using the principles behind good design.

The idea is not to copy celebrity homes exactly - it’s about understanding the design thinking behind them, and how to recreate elements of the look in a realistic way.

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

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.

What we cover

•  How renovation creates a rare blank slate opportunity
•  Why decluttering should happen before you move 
•  A simple system: keep, donate/sell or discard 
•  Designing storage around your real habits - not Pinterest ideals 
•  How to invest in the right storage for your home
•  A step-by-step approach to moving back in without chaos 
•  How to maintain a clutter-free home long-term 

Key takeaways

•  If you wouldn’t buy it again, don’t bring it back 
•  Where you use something is where it should live 
•  One-in, one-out keeps your home from overflowing
•  Simple systems beat perfect systems every time 

About our guest:

Hazel Burton is the founder of The Home Reset, helping people create a "Hassle Free Home"

This episode is your guide to not undoing all the hard work of your renovation by bringing the clutter back in. 

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

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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, 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 @thehomepageie, or follow us - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

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 more. The decisions you make here will have a big impact later in your renovation, and there are some important things you should know.

We will be covering electrical plans (including Jenny's favourite topic - lighting!) next week.

Key Topics in This Episode:

• Why plumbing, drainage and heating plans must be decided early in a renovation.
• Toilets, waste pipes and the impact of pipe routes on layout and design.
• Boxing off waste pipes.
• Hidden vs visible toilet cisterns.
• Macerators (e.g. Saniflo).
• Common bathroom planning mistakes.
• Boilers, water tanks, combi-boilers, and other hot water systems.
• How gravity affects water flow.
• Radiators, zoning and smart heating decisions to be aware of.
• Pumps, drainage challenges and avoiding costly issues later.
• BTU calculator for checking radiator requirements.
• Pipe to pipe distance between radiators.
• Temperature knobs on radiators.
• Sump pump if your drain pipes are low compared to the water table.

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

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 learned from our own encounters (positive and less positive!) with local planning authorities.

Who this episode is for:

• Homeowners planning a renovation or extension
• Anyone unsure if they need planning permission
• Renovators who want fewer delays and surprises

As a rule of thumb, assume planning permission is required unless you know your project is exempt. Permission is usually needed in Ireland if your renovation:

• Is new or over 40m²
• Changes the use of a building
• Materially alters the exterior
• Is in a protected or sensitive area

We unpack what “material change” actually means - and where homeowners most often go wrong.

How the planning process works

We walk through the full planning journey, including:

• Pre-planning (when it’s worth doing)
• Preparing and submitting an application
• Public consultation and submissions
• Planner assessment and Further Information requests
• Decisions, appeals, and what happens after permission is granted

How long does it really take?

Typical timelines discussed:

• Straightforward application: ~3–4 months
• With Further Information: ~5–8 months
• With appeal: ~9–15+ months

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

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, we're revisiting our biggest renovation topics, with the benefit of more hard-earned hindsight. Process, planning, lighting, kitchens, bathroom, windows, what worked, what didn't, and what we'd never do the same way again. This is what we wish we knew then.

This first episode of our new series, we're going back to the start and discussing the renovation process. What are the phases? What's the sequence of events? What's happening and what the hell is coming next?!

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

Today we're joined by Dr Laura Lenihan (@drlauragp), the skincare guru who somehow bought AND renovated her home in Galway, grew a skincare business, and built a clinic on-site, all while raising three small children with her husband - basically superhuman right?! She joins us to tell us about her home renovation, working from home, and to share some brilliant skincare tips too.

Check out Dr Laura’s range of top skincare at https://phare.store/

Skincare items mentioned:

• AlphaRet Overnight Cream.
• Metacell Renewal B3 by Skinceuticals.
• Alto Defence Serum by Skinbetter Science.
• Nail brand newly available at Phare - Manucurist.
• Dr Laura’s “Core Four” - an antioxidant and an SPF in the morning; a retinoid and an exfoliating acid at night.

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

Sorted for Christmas - you're welcome! 

• Thomas Lynham Ceramics
• Orla Walsh Artist
• Ciara O’Neill Art
• Martina’s Palette
• Tina Reid Art
• Luke Reidy Art
• Button Studio
• Intelligent Tea
• Jimmy Lawlor
• Wrapped in Kindness
• Aoife McLaughlin
• Ardmore Pottery
• Jerpoint Glass
• Motly Designs
• George Casey Catering (also does cooking classes)
• Kids Books - Tales for Tadpoles
• Seven Oak
• Steele
• Snugi Knitwear
• Little Rolla Kids Suitcase
• Adare Grocer - Hampers
• Gosson & Gartla kids clothes
• Cowshed Design
• Andrew Caslin Photography
• Beneath the Ash
• Hardpressed Xmas Cards
• Gaiety School of Acting Vouchers
• Lir 
• Pale Yellow Palette - decorations
• Slated
• Primrose and Fern Earrings
• Sayers Studio Art
• Catriona Curtin Art
• Irish Hide Designs
• Foxford
• Amurelle
• Somas
• Cloonkeen
• La Bougie
• Treaty City Brewery
• Mortons Supermarket
• Rosalins
• April and the Bear
• Industry & Co
• The Designist
• Jaqi
• Fallon & Byrne (great hampers)
• Sheridans Galway (also do a cheese club)
• Bow Baby
• Cogs
• Barn

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

This is the second of two episodes that we recorded with the SEAI's Housewarming podcast. In this episode, we talk to Steven Farrell from the SEAI about the new Traditional Homes Pilot Scheme. This is for you if you are doing up a period home and have maybe found it difficult to navigate the currently available grants because your home is listed or has conservation restrictions. Visit SEAI.ie to find out more about this pilot scheme.

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

In between full episodes we will be fielding listener questions about their renovations. So if you have a burning question send us a voice-note on Instagram at @ripitup_podcast_official or via email to ripitupearlybird@gmail.com.

Items mentioned:

• Poly-velvet
• Velour
• Boucle
• Microfibre
• Aniline leather
• Dr Beckmanns
•  Textured herringbone 

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

This week we’re diving into dining - from compact kitchen nooks to dramatic dining rooms, we'll go through design, layouts, materials, and lighting to help you create a dining room that is both beautiful and practical for everyday living.

Editor's note: We were short on time today and are talking super fast to fit everything in - we understand if you need to play this episode at half speed, sorry! ;)

Items mentioned:

• We both have a tulip-style dining table (Eero Saarinen style) 
• Ghost chairs - Philippe Starck style
• Carver chairs with arms that can double up as bedroom chairs
• Bench seating with hinged lid (preferred over drawers)
• Slope the back of the seat 5-7 degrees
• Poly-velvet fabric is ideal for easy-to-clean upholstery
• Bar stools should be 65-70cm maximum (assuming standard countertop height of 90 - 95cm)
• Solid wood tables - seal well with oil - we love Ethnicraft wood tables
• The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt has great dining measurements
• Dr. Beckmann’s (fabric cleaner)

Jenny's dining dimensions:

• 90cm diameter round table
• 175 x 185cm bench seating

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

In between full episodes we will be fielding listener questions about their renovations. So if you have a burning question send us a voice-note on Instagram at @ripitup_podcast_official or via email to ripitupearlybird@gmail.com.

Items mentioned:

• Ikea curtain fabrics
  • Hilja - Kate’s original
  • Stockholm - new and improved
• Wundaweb - iron-on hemming tape
• Net curtain wire + hooks
• Tension rods for cafe curtains
• Glass film suppliers:
  • Coatek
  • Glassfilm.eu
• Link to Kate’s cafe curtain tutorial

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

This week we are bringing you a shared episode which we recorded with Kim Buckley, host of SEAI's House Warming podcast, to talk about the range of energy upgrades that we both made across our various home renovations. Visit SEAI.ie to check out the range of supports they have available if you're planning to make energy efficient upgrades to your home, and keep your ears tuned for a follow-up episode where we will discuss SEAI's Traditional Homes pilot scheme, designed with period homes in mind.

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

In between full episodes we will be fielding listener questions about their renovations. So if you have a burning question send us a voice-note or a message at @ripitup_podcast_official on Instagram or ripitupearlybird@gmail.com.

Our favourite (off)white paints:

• Slaked Lime - Little Greene
• Subtle - Colourtrend
• Arctic Blonde - Colourtrend
• Powdered Shell - Colourtrend
• Soda Bread - Colourtrend
• Trigg - Farrelly & Co
• Wimborne White - Farrow & Ball
• Old White - Farrow & Ball
• Schoolhouse White - Farrow & Ball
• Shaded White - Farrow & Ball
• Shadow White - Farrow & Ball
• Dropcloth - Farrow & Ball
• Designer White - Fleetwood (for outdoors)

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

Are you bamboozled by kitchen countertops? Can’t tell your quartz from your quartzite or think marble is just a fancy tile? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. From the grit of quartzite to the ease of porcelain and the affordability of laminate, we’ll help you choose the perfect countertop material for your kitchen.

PLUS - do you have a burning question for us? Send a short voicenote to ripitupearlybird@gmail.com or via DM @ripitup_podcast_official on Instagram and we’ll answer on the pod!

Catch us on the DFS stage at the Ideal Home Show this weekend.

Items mentioned

Quartz brands:

• Concertino group (silestone)
• Sapienstone

Man-made materials:

• Laminate
• Quartz
• Porcelain

Natural materials:

• Quartzite
• Marble (including Connemara marble)
• Granite
• Wood

Types/names of patterns mentioned (there are many more):

• Calacatta
• Carrara
• Calacatta Violo
• Arabescato 

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