Guide
Travertine is the stone of Roman buildings and 1970s Italian interiors, and it is back in living rooms for the same reason: a warm, matte surface that polished marble does not have. Here is what to know before buying a travertine coffee table.
01
Travertine is a limestone formed around mineral springs. Water moving through the stone leaves channels and holes, which is why the surface has its characteristic pores. The tone runs from ivory to warm beige, with soft banding rather than the sharp veining of marble.
02
Most travertine furniture is filled: the pores are closed with a stone-coloured filler during finishing, giving a smoother surface that is easier to wipe clean. Unfilled travertine keeps the open pores. It looks more raw, but crumbs and dust settle in the holes. For a coffee table, filled is the practical choice.
03
Travertine is almost always honed, not polished. That works in its favour in a living room: etch marks from wine or citrus are far less visible on a matte surface than on polished marble. The trade-off is that the stone is softer and more absorbent, so sealing matters more.
04
Both are calcium-based stones and both react to acid. Travertine is warmer in tone, matte in finish and lighter in character. Marble is cooler, harder in appearance and takes a polish. Neither is better. They sit differently in a room.
Questions
It is more absorbent than marble, so sealing is important. With a sealed, filled surface and coasters, it handles daily use well.
No. The pores are part of how the stone forms. Most furniture travertine has them filled during finishing for a smoother surface.
It can, but it is rarely done. The character of the stone is its matte, porous surface.
Not yet. Our plinths are available in Travertino Alabastrino, a pale ivory travertine, and work as side tables. Tables are planned.
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