Travertine is a classic natural stone that's been loved in design and architecture for ages. Its unique beauty and strength come from being formed in hot springs and limestone caves, resulting in a one-of-a-kind texture and captivating colours.

Travertine stone tile is a favourite for everything from luxurious bathrooms to elegant outdoor patios.

In this blog post, we explore Travertine's beautiful colour variations and diverse finishes and share tips on how to blend these tiles with different design styles. 

Whether you're going for a modern, rustic, or traditional look, travertine adds a touch of natural elegance to your design.

Travertine tiles come in a variety of finishes, each creating a unique look and feel for your space. Understanding these finishes allows you to choose the one that best suits your design and functional needs.

Polished
Polished travertine is smooth, glossy, and highly reflective. This finish highlights the stone's natural patterns and depth of colour, giving it a luxurious appearance. 

Polished travertine is ideal for indoor applications like living rooms and kitchen floors, where a sophisticated and refined look is desired. However, due to its slick surface, it may not be suitable for areas prone to getting wet, such as shower floors.

Honed
Honed travertine has a matte finish with a smooth surface, achieved by grinding and sanding the stone until it has a consistent flat look. 

Honed tiles aren’t as slippery as polished tiles, making them a great option for flooring in high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways. They are also perfect for kitchen backsplashes and bathroom vanities where a balance between elegance and functionality is needed.

Brushed
Brushed travertine features a slightly textured surface achieved by treating the stone with wire brushes. This finish offers a natural appearance, adding a tactile element to your design. 

The textured surface provides better traction, making brushed travertine ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications, such as laundry rooms, bathrooms, and patios. It masks minor wear and tear, making it a durable option for busy households.

Tumbled
Tumbled travertine is characterised by its weathered and antiqued look, created by placing the stone in a drum with grit and water to achieve a distressed appearance.  This finish has rounded edges and a soft, porous surface. 

The non-slip surface makes tumbled travertine an excellent choice for outdoor areas, including garden walkways and pool decks. It also works well in accent pieces and decorative elements, such as backsplash mosaics and wall cladding.  

With a wide variety of travertine finishing options, you can enhance the look and feel of any design style.

Travertine's versatility makes it an excellent choice for various styles. 

Here are some travertine design ideas: 

Modern

Modern design is all about clean lines, simplicity, and neutral colours. Polished travertine in shades of grey or beige are ideal for creating sleek, minimalist spaces. 

Use polished travertine tiles for flooring to add a touch of sophistication to living areas and kitchens. Pair these with contemporary furniture and stainless steel or chrome tapware to complete the look.

Rustic
Rustic design focuses on natural materials and warm, inviting colours. Brushed and tumbled travertine in earthy tones like brown, gold, and cream is a perfect complement to rustic interiors. 

Tumbled travertine, with its aged look, is great for kitchen backsplashes and fireplaces, while brushed travertine is perfect for flooring and outdoor patios. To tie the rustic theme together, add reclaimed wood furniture and vintage accessories.

Traditional
Traditional design exudes timeless elegance and often features symmetrical layouts and classic décor. Honed travertine in warm, neutral colours enhances this style beautifully. 

Use honed travertine for bathroom vanity tops and wall cladding to add a sense of luxury. Complement this with ornate furnishings, rich fabrics, and antique pieces to create a sophisticated, harmonious space.

Whether you prefer modern, rustic, or traditional, travertine can transform any space into a stunning and functional masterpiece.

When choosing travertine for your projects, consider these key factors for the best fit:

• Durability: Travertine is strong and long-lasting, but finishes vary in resilience. Polished travertine can scratch easily and isn’t ideal for high-traffic areas, while honed or tumbled travertine suits high-traffic areas better.
• Maintenance: Consider the upkeep of your chosen finish. Polished travertine needs regular sealing to maintain its shine and prevent stains, whereas honed and tumbled finishes might need less frequent sealing but more cleaning to keep dirt out of pits and grooves.
• Budget: When choosing travertine, consider your budget. Costs vary by quality, finish, and source. Balance affordability and quality for lasting results.
• Sample Selection: Requesting samples before deciding on travertine is always a good idea. This will give you a better sense of how the stone looks and feels in person and how it will fit with the rest of your decor.

By considering these factors, you can choose a travertine that complements your style and meets the needs of your project.

Travertine is more than just a stone; it embodies elegance and versatility. With a versatile range of shades, it complements design styles from traditional to modern and everything in between. Its natural textures and patterns add character to floors, walls, patios, and bathrooms.

Amber offers a wide range of travertine products. Whether you're crafting a luxurious indoor space or a stunning outdoor retreat, our travertine options provide a timeless foundation that enhances beauty and functionality. 

Explore our travertine collection today, or visit an Amber showroom to see our options firsthand.