A Travertine Bathroom Remodeling Project

In bathroom remodeling, your choice of material should be guided by two factors: the material's visual appeal and durability. Of course, a good bathroom material should match your aesthetic vision, yet it should also withstand the elements--water, soap, and harsh cosmetics--and the daily wear and tear of the family. Porous materials, like soft wood, are not the best choice for a bathroom; ditto an easy-to-stain material, like marble.

Yes, despite its ubiquity, some believe marble is not the best bathroom material. Even so, many homeowners see marble as the best of all bathroom materials--and certainly the most beautiful. This is true. It is also true, marble can be porous. The key is to find a good, durable marble from a reputable supplier. At MKBD, we import most of our marble from Italy.

Another option that rivals marble's beauty, yet is also often cited as a "bad" bathroom material is travertine.  We love this simple, yet elegant stone. As with marble, however, quality matters. Travertine does not have to be porous. Depending on the quality of the finish and installation, travertine can be a perfectly suitable bathroom material.

We recently had the privilege of remodeling a bathroom with travertine floors, showers tiles, and countertops. If anything, this rustic project proves the point: travertine can be beautiful and durable.

Travertine tiles and countertops

Choose the Right Travertine Finish

The right finish protects travertine from the bathroom elements.When sourcing travertine, your best options will be hone-finished or tumble-finished.

Hone-finished creates a flat appearance that dulls the qualities of the stone. For homeowners who prefer uniformity of color, hone-finished travertine is the best option.

For this project, however, the homeowner chose a tumble-finished travertine.

The rustic look of tumble-finished travertine

As you can see in the photo above, tumble-finish enhances travertine's natural colors. This is why tumble-finished travertine is often said to have a rustic appearance--a perfect look for this former farm house.

Choose Experts to Install Travertine  

More than most materials, then, the installation of travertine should be performed by a remodeling expert. Travertine's rough edges can present some installation challenges--especially in the shower. The key is precision. When installing travertine in the shower, it is important, too that the tile is properly sealed.

Travertine tile for the shower walls and floors

In this project, we used travertine tiles of various sizes (yet similar colors) to create textural variation. All tiles were properly sealed and installed with the utmost care. Good news, too: properly sealed and installed travertine is an easy-to-clean shower material; better yet, the material rarely reveals soap spots.

Travertine Countertops

Travertine is a versatile material. In this project, we used tiles for the floors and shower as well as larger slabs for the vanity countertops.

Travertine countertops and brushed nickel faucets

Another view of the luxurious vanity with travertine countertops

Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk bathroom design and more! Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

A Bathroom Lookbook: Marble

Marble is a symbol of classicism and refined taste. The material has been used as far back as Greek and Roman times for dwellings and statues. One of the oldest and most famous sculptures, the Venus de Milo, dating back to 100 BC, is made of marble. And of course, perhaps the most famous sculpture of all, Michelangelo's David, is made of marble.

Michelangelo's David

Of course, too, the Roman Bath, which featured marble, was a mainstay of Roman culture. As the Ancient History Encyclopedia tells us:

"...it was in the large cities that these complexes (balnea or thermae) took on monumental proportions with vast colonnades and wide-spanning arches and domes. Baths were built using millions of fireproof terracotta bricks and the finished buildings were usually sumptuous affairs with fine mosaic floors, marble-covered walls, and decorative statues."

We tend to associate the Romans with decadence and exclusivity, but the Ancient History Encyclopedia reminds us that, in fact, the Roman baths offered the world an early example of egalitarianism:

"Generally opening around lunchtime and open until dusk, baths were accessible to all, both rich and poor. In the reign of Diocletian, for example, the entrance fee was a mere two denarii - the smallest denomination of bronze coinage."

Today, we often find marble in public buildings and statues--and of course, in private bathrooms. In today's bathroom's, marble speaks of both luxury and refinement. Just take a look at our "Bathroom Lookbook: Marble".

A porcelain pedestal sink from Kohler is the perfect match for this marble powder room.

Source Quality Marble  

A natural material, marble is mined, most notably in Italy, China, India, and Spain. In our opinion, the best marble comes from the land of the Romans, Italia, specifically the area around Carrara in Northern Tuscany.

Many see marble as the most esteemed of all bathroom materials. We agree: marble is a great addition to most bathroom remodeling projects. Yet we do say this with a few caveats.

If you research marble on the Internet, you're likely to find articles about marble's permeability, which can make it more likely to erode or stain. For this reason, marble might not be the best option for a children's bathroom.

On the other hand, the best marble can prove to be quite durable--and can continue to look beautiful with appropriate upkeep. At MKBD, we import most of our marble from Italy.

Wall-to-wall marble creates a dramatic appearance.

Marble's Unique Appearance

No two pieces of marble are exactly alike. The sheer variety of color and veining (as seen in the marble wall above) is, indeed, part of what makes marble so appealing. The most expensive marble, with its subtle veining and even color, has the most uniform appearance of all marble.

In this MKBD project, the Italian marble boasts a soft color and relatively uniform texture with little veining. 

Some homeowners prefer the  textual appeal of more pronounced veining; we often source high-quality marble with veining, too.

In this MKBD project, large slabs of imported marble tile envelops the bathroom from floor to ceiling. Note the soft color and veining. 

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk bathroom design and more! Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!