
I got the perfect ‘stone' herringbone floor with a £9 B&Q buy – it looks so pretty & you'd never spot the difference
A WOMAN has given her cottage a makeover on a budget.
Asha, from the UK, took to social media to reveal her new utility room with its swanky new flooring.
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She revealed she had lots of home inspiration saved on Pinterest, and her husband was kind enough to make it a reality in their new home.
One of the home designs she wanted to recreate was a herringbone stone-tiled floor, but it was a little too pricey for Asha.
So she decided to get the same results on a budget with a B&Q buy.
She headed to the store and found the Herringbone Natural stone Mosaic tile sheets for £9 a pack.
Crafted with real tumbled travertine, these Beige Stone-effect Herringbone Mosaic tile sheets provide a natural stone finish.
She said: "We bought them in store and they are advertised as wall and floor tiles."
The DIY whizz measured the tiles to her floor before sticking them down.
After, she and her husband used the MAPEI Flexible wall & floor grout in colour Ivory, which she also bought from B&Q for £9.50.
It was the perfect addition to the flooring, which brought out the different beige shades of the tiles.
"(I) Love them! So happy how they turned out. Would 100% recommend, Asha added.
I used cheap Temu tiles to get a herringbone bathroom while saving for a reno - they're good as new 4 months later
The clip was shared to her TikTok account @ asha.kr.george and went viral with over 224k views and 3,000 likes.
People loved the new floor and said they could hardly tell it wasn't real stone.
One person wrote: "Oh no, what have you done?! I didn't need to see this, they're just so pretty and I need them in my kitchen!"
Another commented: 'Brill! You've done a great job. It looks ace."
5 Must-have gardening tools
Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO revealed the best pieces of kit you need to get jobs done around the house and garden.
Pruning Shears - The perfect tool for trimming plants, cutting dead branches, and shaping your shrubs and bushes.
Watering Hose – Ideal for larger gardens, watering hoses provide a wide coverage of hydration for your plants, especially when using with a spray nozzle.
Gardening Fork – This is an essential for loosening soil, removing weeds, and evenly spreading mulch.
Dibber – A dibber is a great tool to help in creating uniform planting holes for your seeds and seedlings.
Garden Twine & Scissors – A handy must-have for tying up plants, training vines, and providing structural support to your greenery.
"Love these!" penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: "Perfect."
Someone else added: 'We have these as a feature wall in our bathroom and we love them!!

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Telegraph
18 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Michael Gove: ‘I stood as the Labour candidate in the school election'
School Days is a regular series by author Danny Danziger in which acclaimed British names and faces share the childhood stories that shaped them. This week, the former Secretary of State for Education talks about being adopted, his love of books, being a pain at school – and making it to Oxford My grandfather had set up a fish merchants' business, which involved going into the harbour at dawn, buying fish from the boats that had just landed, and then filleting, salting and selling them to fishmongers, or the Rosses and Finduses of this world. My dad, Ernest, left school at 15 to go into the family business. My mum, Christine, also left school at 15 and worked in a jewellers' shop in Aberdeen called Jamieson & Carry, and then latterly as a lab assistant at Aberdeen University. She met my dad while ice skating, which they were both passionate about, and they very quickly got married. But they couldn't have children. The person who gave me up for adoption was from Edinburgh, although she was studying in Aberdeen to be a catering demonstration assistant, which is where she became pregnant. I was born in August 1967 and arrived at the Gove home just before Christmas, so I was four months old when I was adopted. My mother said I was covered in eczema and bathed me in an iron bath in front of the fire. Five years later, my sister, Angela, arrived, and she was also adopted. Several months later, my parents discovered she was profoundly deaf, and so she went to the Aberdeen School for the Deaf. At my primary school every day I would walk back home for lunch – or dinner, as they call it in Scotland – mince and tatties, delicious, and I can't imagine any children doing that today. Aged 11, I went to my secondary school, Robert Gordon's College, which was then a fee-paying boys' independent day school. I started in the autumn of 1979, shortly after Margaret Thatcher had become Prime Minister. Right from the beginning, I was upbraided for being cheeky, which was a consistent theme of my secondary education; most of the times I got into trouble was because of being 'cheeky', 'sarcastic', or 'a pain'. Gordon's was quite trad, teachers in gowns, for instance, not quite a male version of Jean Brodie's school, but that would give you some sense of the vibe. I didn't have a scholarship at the time so my parents paid the full fees, which was fine – until it became an issue when my dad had to sell his business, essentially because of the overall decline of the fishing sector in Aberdeen. Fortunately I got a scholarship for my final two years at school; if I hadn't secured it, my parents would not have been able to continue to pay the fees. Our home wasn't a household full of books; my dad would read the newspapers, but only the sports pages, and Reader's Digest condensed books, and my mum would read Catherine Cookson and that sort of thing. I was the cuckoo in the nest: I was a voracious reader, my head was always in a book. As soon as I got my pocket money, I would go down to the local bookshop. Also, there was a magazine called All About Science that I badgered my parents to get every week. Just a few generations ago, there may have been a slightly antithetical idea to the fact that your son or daughter was attached to book learning; there's a particular phrase in Scotland, ' I knew your father,' i.e. don't get above yourself. But my mum and dad loved the fact that I had this interest in reading, they appreciated that I was bookish and that that was clearly my orientation, and they encouraged me and gave me all the support possible, even though it wasn't their thing. I enjoyed almost every subject at school. The English teacher, Mike Duncan, nurtured and encouraged my love of books and drama, and introduced me not just to the novels we were studying but also made recommendations: 'I think you'd enjoy Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music Of Time,' he said, which was a series of 12 books. I also had two great history teachers, one of whom for some reason that was not immediately obvious was nicknamed Zoot, in reference to the saxophone player in the Muppets. They knew I was interested in political ideas and ideology, and most of all debating, which was my principal school activity, and I joined the Labour Party as a 16-year-old, and canvassed for the Aberdeen North MP, which was then a safe Labour seat, and in the 1983 general election I stood as the Labour candidate in the school election. Everyone had to play rugby in their first two years, and even though I was relatively well built I was just terrible at it. I have terrible hand-eye co-ordination, for one thing, and have never been particularly sporty. In the third year, you were allowed to pick between rugby and hockey, and I opted for hockey because my view was the best athletes would have already chosen rugby, and I became the hockey goalkeeper, being prepared to get hit by the ball, and just take the punishment rather than display any skill. It was the 1980s and the music was great: BA Robertson, the Boomtown Rats, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and the first party where I kissed a girl, to Heaven 17's Temptation. She was called Kate, although she subsequently, and very quickly thereafter, moved on to a much better prospect: taller, better-looking, way better at sport, and all the rest of it. Perhaps I was too distracted by life, but I was not a well-behaved schoolboy. In fact, I wrote a letter the other day to my French teacher, Danny Montgomery, to apologise for being such a pain in the neck, a mixture of back-chat, being a smart alec and asking absurd questions. So, for example, in the middle of a translation exercise: 'Sir, sir?' 'Yes Gove.' (Said wearily.) 'What does ' baise-toi ' mean?' 'I think you know, Gove.' 'No, I don't, sir, can you explain?' It was beyond juvenile, and on a couple of occasions, the tawse was used, which is a piece of leather, split at the end. Hand out, thwack. Very painful. However, when I was 17, I was made a prefect. Perhaps it was the classic ploy which is if you've got someone who is a little bit wayward but you think has potential then make them a prefect, and hopefully whatever it is about them that is contrary will become channelled in the right direction. In fact, I do think I became a straighter arrow. For a long time, I thought I was going to be a doctor, but while I remained fascinated by human psychology and every aspect of medicine, I realised that was not my strongest calling. Mike Duncan said, 'You should think about applying to Oxford to read English – that's your best subject, that's the one you enjoy most.' I still remember my impressions of Oxford when I went up for my interviews. Fairyland! I hadn't been to Oxford before, and immediately thought it would just be amazing to go there. I had applied to two colleges, Corpus Christi and Lady Margaret Hall (LMH). At Corpus I was interviewed by Valentine Cunningham, the professor of English language and literature, who clearly thought I was an idiot. When we sat down, his first question was: 'What is Hamlet about?' 'Well, it's about the prince's indecision following the death of his father.' 'NO! What is it about?' 'The tragic flaw of indecision?' 'NO!! (Now frothing at the mouth) What is it about?' 'Is it about politics in the Danish court?' 'No. It's about Protestantism.' 'Bloody hell,' I thought, 'I don't stand a chance here…' But the conversation at LMH was about Middlemarch and my mini dissertation was about George Eliot. And so we had a conversation about Dorothea and her sister, and what the jewels revealed about Dorothea's vanity, and why she had married the Rev Edward Casaubon, and what a mistake that was. So I was allowed to shine, and on the strength of that I was offered a place at Oxford. But huge credit to Gordon's. If I hadn't gone there I would have gone to a state secondary school, and I doubt anyone at that time would have thought of recommending any student to apply to Oxford. I was and remain very grateful. Michael Gove will be speaking at the Chalke History Festival on June 26. His talk is entitled 'Change Maker: A Life in Politics'. For tickets visit:


Daily Mail
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The affordable BBQs giving the £1000+ Big Green Egg a run for its money -as Lidl drops £80 specialbuy
If you've been eyeing up an egg BBQ then you're not alone. The highly sought after Big Green Egg has become a cult favourite and garden status symbol over the years. But with these eggs starting at around £850, they're not accessible for everyone. Recent affordable alternatives from competitors like Lidl have been causing a shopping frenzy, with customers snapping up the middle aisle bargain for just £79.99. The best BBQs and kamados are fantastic at cooking up authentic, smoky classics like sausages, ribs and pulled pork. Many kamados can also be used with pizza stones, so you can enjoy crisp, fluffy slices without needing to own your own pizza oven. The soaring popularity of these brands has created a wealth of affordable alternatives for the everyday BBQ enthusiast who can't quite justify the Green Egg's lavish price tag - but do they offer the same features as the egg giant? I've been testing home and garden products, including pizza ovens, grills and BBQs for nearly seven years, so I know a thing or two about outdoor cooking. While the Big Green Egg is a gorgeous addition to the garden, you simply don't need to spend thousands of pounds to get a reliable kamado grill that cooks (and looks) just as good in your garden this summer. These are the best alternatives. Even if you don't know it by name, everyone recognises the Big Green Egg. At its core, it's a smoker, BBQ grill, oven and slow cooker, with a range of additional accessories that extend its uses even further. What sets it apart from other grills is its ceramic body, which stays hotter and regulates heat better than metal grills. This means a more even cook on meats. vegetables and more. It's THE go-to choice for BBQ aficionados, with reviewers raving about precise heat control and charcoal that burns for hours. Until recently having a Kamado BBQ was reserved only for those willing to spend £1,000+ but with more stylish, affordable alternatives popping up every day, you don't have to empty your bank account. Best affordable Big Green Egg alternatives Tower Kamado Maxi BBQ With a 13 inch surface area large enough for a family of four, this stylish alternative from Tower easily rivals the Green Egg's entry level model. It has all the same features, including a ceramic body, temperature control and a multifunctional grill. This model only comes in black but reviews are overwhelming positive, with people being impressed with its size. £399.99 Shop B&Q Kamado Mini BBQ Despite its bargain price tag, this mini kamado grill has a 13in grill and can reach temperatures of up to 370 degrees. Like the Green Egg, its body is made from ceramic. The budget price tag is great, keep in mind that it won't be as well insulated than pricier models and the build quality in general won't be as good. It's received lots of good reviews online with users saying it stays hot for ages and is easy to clean. Some people have reported issues with the lid occasionally not sealing correctly. Overall though, the consensus is that it's excellent value for money. £84.99 Shop Boss Grill the Egg Kamado BBQ If that signature green colour is important to you, the Boss Grill's kamado egg is one to consider. It's not quite as affordable as some of the others on this list but it's received rave reviews online the quality is closer to that of the original. It also comes with a stand, complete with foldable side tables, a cover ands a free pizza stone to sweeten the deal. Apart from the build quality, its big selling point is the three tier grill, so you can BBQ, roast and warm at the same time. Compatible with both charcoal and wood chips, this a serious bit of kit for BBQ enthusiasts. £549 Shop Kamado Joe Junior Kamado Joe is another big name in outdoor grilling, with its bright red egg rivalling the green one. Like the boss grill, it's on the pricier side but could still save you hundreds. It can bake, grill, BBQ, smoke and more and even comes with a cast iron stand - an accessory that will normally cost your extra. If you're wondering why you would spend almost £500 on an egg when you can pick one up for as little as £85, the answer is fairly simple - build quality. Cheaper versions keep the cost down by using thinner ceramic and lower-quality fixings. This model has a super-thick ceramic body for superior heat and moister retention and a hinged cooking grate so you can top up on charcoal while you cook. £493.99 Shop Habitat Ceramic Kamado BBQ You can grill, smoke, sear and slow cook in this 13 inch kamado. Like the Big Green Egg it has a gorgeous ceramic body for optimal heat retention. Heat can be controlled with the vents and there's a temperature gauge on top. Unlike the more expensive green alternative, this model also comes with a large stand and foldable side tables for all your BBQ bits at a fraction of the price. Reviewers say it's good quality and the perfect size for two adults. £275 Shop What is the difference between the Big Green Egg and the Kamado Joe? Big Green Egg and Kamado Joe and two different brands who both produce kamado style BBQs. They have many of the same functions and features, with their main differences being colour and price point - Kamado Joe is red and typically cheaper than Big Green Egg. What is the difference between a BBQ and a kamado? Most BBQs are designed with a metal body and are only suitable for grilling foods like burgers, sausages and vegetables. A kamado BBQ is an all-in-one cooker with a ceramic body that can be used as a grill, smoker, oven and more. Kamados typically use less charcoal than traditional BBQs and can be used for low and slow cooking due to greater heat retention and temperature control. Can you use a kamado as normal BBQ? Yes, a kamado grill functions as a regular BBQ but can also smoke and slow cook, as well as be used for indirect cooking. This is because it has a lid with a tight seal to lock in heat and moisture. Can the Big Green Egg or kamado BBQ be rained on? Yes, the Big Green Egg and its alternatives can be left out and used in all weathers as long as they have a ceramic coating. However, it's important not to get the inside of your kamado wet, as this can trap moisture inside and cause it to go mouldy. You might also want to consider investing in a kamado cover to keep your BBQ looking its best.


The Guardian
34 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Marc Summers' recipes for beetroot borani and a bean feast cooked three ways
This fava bean dip is rich and luxurious, but made using quite humble ingredients. The broad beans on top make a perfect garnish, because they are, in essence, fresh fava beans, while the vadouvan seasoning, although untraditional, has the same sweet, warm and earthy flavours as the fava. Then, a take on a vegan borani, enriched with coconut cream instead of the more usual yoghurt. It hits the spot with its tang, heat and sweetness, with an intense beetroot flavour from the salt-baking and a generous dollop of pomegranate molasses to add punch. We buy our fava beans from Hodmedod's, who are doing brilliant things when it comes to regenerative farming, soil health and a better food system. Prep 10 min Soak overnight Cook 1 hr 30 min Serves 6 ¾ tsp vadouvan spice mix 40ml rapeseed oil For the fava bean dip75g fava beansA pinch of bicarbonate of soda 60ml olive oil 1½ garlic cloves, peeled1½ tbsp lemon juice 30g tahini For the braised broad beans5 tsp olive oil⅓ white onion, finely diced1½ garlic cloves, peeled and sliced20g tomato (¼ small tomato), dicedA pinch of flaky sea salt 1½ tsp vadouvan spice mix 55g podded broad beans 3 tsp water 1½ tsp lemon juice For the crisp fava beans40g fava beans100ml rapeseed oil (enough to fill a pan by 3cm)A pinch of flaky sea salt The night before, soak both batches of dried fava beans overnight: this should be 115g in total (75g for the dip and 40g to fry). For the vadouvan oil, whisk the spice mix with the oil on a gentle heat for about ten minutes, until it reaches 75C – check with a temperature probe. It should infuse, but don't let it bubble aggressively or smoke. Set aside. Drain then cover the 75g fava beans with plenty of fresh water. Add the bicarb and bring to a boil, then cook until completely soft (about an hour). Drain and reserve a ladleful of the cooking water (aquafaba), then transfer the beans to a blender. Add the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and tahini, and blend for two to three minutes, until completely smooth. If slightly thick, add a splash of aquafaba. Check the seasoning; it should taste rich with a nice acidic lift from the lemon juice. Set aside. For the braised broad beans, heat the oil in a small pan on a medium heat, then sweat the onion and garlic until the garlic turns dark golden. Add the diced tomatoes and salt, and cook until they break down. Add the vadouvan spice mix, the fresh broad beans and water, then cover with a lid and cook for about 30 minutes, until the beans are tender. Remove from the heat, add the lemon juice, then check the seasoning. For the crisped beans, heat the rapeseed oil in a pan until 180C, checking with a thermometer (if you don't have one, add a cube of bread and when it sizzles, it's ready). Carefully submerge the fava beans and fry until they stop bubbling and are crisp – a few minutes. Drain on kitchen roll and season with flaky salt. Spoon the fava bean dip on to a plate, making a well in the middle. Spoon in the braised broad beans, then finish with the crispy fava beans and vadouvan oil. Prep 5 min Cook 1 hrServes 6-8 325g beetroot (about 2 very large beets) A pinch of coarse salt 1 tsp coriander seeds 1 tsp fennel seeds 1⅓ tbsp pomegranate molasses, plus extra to serve30g preserved lemon, skin and flesh3 garlic cloves, peeledJuice of ½ lemon 65g tahini 55g coconut cream To serve Olive oilDill fronds 1 tsp nigella seeds Heat the oven to 180C (160C fan)/350F/gas 4. Trim the beets and put on a bed of coarse salt in a roasting tray. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 40 minutes, or until a knife inserts into the beetroot with slight resistance. Meanwhile, toast the coriander and fennel seeds in a dry pan until fragrant, then grind to a powder using a mortar or spice grinder. Once the beetroot is cool enough to handle, peel and cut into chunks. Put in a blender with the ground spices and remaining ingredients and blend until smooth – about two minutes. Check the consistency (it should be smooth) and seasoning, and adjust if needed. Spread the borani on a large plate. Drizzle generously with olive oil and pomegranate molasses, and scatter with dill fronds and nigella seeds to garnish. Marc Summers is the founder of Bubala, who have just opened their third restaurant in King's Cross, London. With thanks to executive chef Ben Rand.