Rip It Up: The Renovations Podcast

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