Travertine is a type of natural stone that develops over time when minerals are deposited on the earth's surface by rivers, hot springs and geysers. For example, large deposits of travertine can be found in places such as Yellowstone Park. Travertine is really a type of limestone, although many think of it as a form of marble. It's affordable and easy to cut compared with other types of stone, making it a popular choice for flooring and countertops.
Floors
Create a travertine tile entryway for your home. Have tiles cut in repeating sizes for the main floor, and create a border in a darker shade of travertine around the floor edge. Make it a single, narrow travertine stripe just a few inches wide with a thin strip of brass or copper on each side of the stripe. Have the floors sealed to protect the metal and the floors, and to preserve the metal colors.
Countertops
Travertine tiles come in shades that range from brown to a light ivory with natural streaks and small pock marks, unique to this type of stone. Give your kitchen countertops a unique surface with travertine tiles. Choose a lighter color travertine tile in a diamond arrangement for the base of your countertops, and place a slightly darker shade on the backsplash in a corresponding diamond arrangement. Add a narrow vertical border between the backsplash and the countertops for a transition between the two areas. Or choose a variety of lighter and darker tiles, for a variegated look. Fill the tiny holes with grout, and seal the surface to guard against staining.
Bathroom
Make your bathroom feel like an ancient Mediterranean spa with ivory-colored travertine tile. Since travertine tile is known to be porous, if you choose a tumbled or hone-finished style, your floors and other bathroom tiles will resist staining. Choose a variety of colors in a mix of pale coral, muted yellows and brown and combine them for your bathroom walls, floors and backsplash. Add a marble sink and a travertine light-switch cover to complete the ancient spa look.
Fireplace
Create a travertine fireplace surround with a mixture of diamond and vertically placed tiles. Put a white wooden fireplace mantel around it, or add a mantel of solid granite, in colors that complement your travertine. Or, create a geometric design for the fireplace surround that contrasts with a different geometric design on the mantel, and yet another design for the fireplace hearth, all of the same travertine stone. Another possibility is to build a mantel out of amber-colored travertine tiles, and top it with a white wood mantel cover.
Porch
Create a sophisticated-looking entrance to your home with a porch made of travertine tiles. Include the steps, but make them in a slightly lighter or darker color than the top of the porch for contrast. Or, consider decorative concrete, which can be dyed in travertine colors and stamped to look like the real thing.
