We feel every home should come with a manual, and if it’s your first time owning a home there may be things that you don’t know about how to keep things running smoothly or what to do if things go wrong. From shutting off water to testing your smoke alarms and having an emergency kit at the ready, here are all of our best tips to avoid disaster and keep your home in great shape.

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 This is episode 40 and to celebrate, we're playing our top 40 hits - a rapid fire discussion of a favourite highlight from each of our previous episodes. If you're a longtime listener, this episode is a great summary of all of our best tips. If you're new here, this is the perfect place to start to help you to find which of our previous episodes will be the most useful for you.

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From budget hobs to luxury fridges that cost more than most peoples' first car, today we're diving into the wonderful and some times bewildering world of kitchen appliances. Whether you're a microwave only chef, or a combi-oven connoisseur, we've got the low down on what's hot, what's cool, and what's just plain overpriced.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Last week Jenny and Kate spoke about renovation snag lists - but what if your builder doesn't come back? Small issues like hairline cracks in paint or needing to re-seal a bathtub are normal and totally doable yourself. This episode is all about how to do just that so you can tackle basic home maintenance with confidence (and a can of WD40).

Watch this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@Rip-It-Up

Courses Mentioned

• DIY evening courses: https://www.adulteducationireland.ie/diy/
• Furniture re-upholstering course: https://www.oldchairs.ie/weekend-courses/

Basic DIY Tool Kit Recommendations

• WD40
• Magic erasers
• Flexible sanding sponges
• Lightweight poly filler
• Two-part filler (with hardener)
• Good quality paintbrush
• Painter’s tool (multi-purpose scraper)
• Silicone gun
• Screwdrivers (manual preferred over electric for small jobs)
• Stud finder with live wire detection
• Caulk gun (good quality)
• Staple gun
• Spirit or laser level

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Jenny and Kate discuss what happens as you near the end of your renovation. How much retention can you expect, what should you look for in your final walkthrough, and our tips for handling difficult conversations when something inevitably goes wrong. A huge thank you to everyone who signed up for our early bird list - look out for an email from us soon, including Kate's snag list as a welcome gift! Email us at [email protected] to sign up.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Register your interest for our early bird list at [email protected] - just send us your name and say "I'm interested!", and we will add you to the list.

We'll be back in two weeks with our next episode!

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Today Jenny and Kate are discussing the pros and cons of project managing your own renovation versus enlisting the services of renovation professionals such as architects, designers, and quantity surveyors. Is it worth the stress to save some money? Let’s get into it.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Today you lucky listeners are getting two for the price of one! Jenny and Kate are joined by Tanya Neufeld Flanagan - interior designer and host of The Interiors Podcast. This episode delves into the biggest renovation mistakes, helping you skip the stress and the screw-ups!

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

We are in full spring cleaning mode. So for this episode, we're giving you all our best tips for decluttering and staying reasonably organised (we're not Marie Kondo!).

Items mentioned:

• Clossy Co
• Vacuum bags (the Organised Store, Amazon, Homestore and More)
• Joseph Joseph
• Oxo
• The Home Edit
• Humdakin
• Brabantia
• Command hooks
• Dyson dock
• Picture ledge shelves
• Adverts.ie / Done Deal
• Vinted
• Depop
• Oxfam Postback - https://www.oxfamireland.org/postback-donate-by-post-for-free

Great accounts to follow on Insta

• Orla Sheridan - style and capsule wardrobe
• A Sorted Affair - decluttering and organisation

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines

Jenny and Kate dive into the second installment of their lighting series, sharing clever hacks to upgrade your lighting without having to rewire, plus a big bonus list of favourite brands and suppliers. Featuring an exclusive reveal of Kate's gorgeous new lighting!

Items Mentioned:

Irish suppliers

• Mullan Lighting
• Hicken Lighting
• Luminaire Lighting
• Willie Duggan
• Lighting range in Woodies - the Edit

International Suppliers

• Dusk Lighting
• Lamp Twist
• The Deco Nook
• Lampmasters
• Popup Lighting
• Astro
• Light11.de
• Finnish Design Shop
• The Solar Centre
• Pooky

Brands

• Seletti
• Moooi
• Flos
• Menu / Audo Copenhagen
• Soho Home
• Shady and the Lamp
• Ascoli (spot lights)
• Eclipse (plaster wall light)

Rechargeable lights

• Babington wall lights. Available in Hedgeroe Home
• Tara Lane USB rechargeable lamp
• Lillee standing lamp

Smart bulbs

• Phillips Hue
• Ikea Trådfri

The Interior Design Handbook by Frida Ramstedt - chapter on lighting design.

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Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines