Tumbled travertine floor tile has a natural look because of the veins and pockmarked surface and the porosity of travertine stone which is not destroyed by over polishing when finished by tumbling. The tumbled look is a favorite for kitchen backsplashes, bathroom designs and shower areas. There is no question that with this more natural or rustic finish it will require careful installation and even more careful sealing, especially if the travertine tile shower area receives frequent use.
Some of the most popular styles and colors in travertine wall tiles are as follows:
- Noce*, with its soft brown tones. However if this tile is not dark enough you can apply a natural stone enhancer to bring out the richer colors.
- Cashmere, which is a cool ivory with warmer beige flecks, goes well mixed with Noce. These two travertine tiles combined in a pattern create a neutral background for adding other accent colors, and is one reason why they are so often installed in the two most used areas of the home, the bathroom and the kitchen. Tumbled Noce tiles also compliment other countertops including the popular granite counters that match nicely.
- For something more colorful, but still earthy (and finished with the tumbled effect) try the Sienna travertine tile to bring out the Mediterranean sun in your home.
- For a smoother finish and less pitted surface, with a light feminine beige background and subtle hints of rosy veins, try installing the Antique Beige travertine tile.
Another option for tile finishes that work well with shower designs and rustic modern kitchens, and is not polished like marble, is the chiseled or brushed travertine, which has rougher edges and is the most natural tile available.
- One pattern to keep in mind is called Versaille. It has an elegant, expensive look while maintaining rustic appeal.
Honed travertine, which has had its ridges and toughs filled, is the tile requiring the least amount of care. This is because of the rigorous post mining and pre installation treatment this stone has undergone to prepare for your kitchen or bath. Most of the small bubbles that cause the pitted look in natural travertine have been filled and ground away by honing, and therefore a glossy polished finish is possible.
Some easy to remember names in this category are: *Coliseum, Durango Cream and Tuscany Gold. Their names are reflective of what they look like.
*Just for comparison purposes, the price of the super polished Coliseum floor tile is between 5.75 and 6.99 per square foot and natural tumbled Noce is between 4.99 and 6.99 per square foot.
