October 15, 2008

Travertine vs. Slate

Jason was supposed to post this, but he's been so busy I decided I better just put it up.
Our kitchen is about 80% finished, I'd say. We got our countertops and new sink in, now we have to finish painting the bottom cabinets and put up backsplash. We're having a hard time decided what kind of tile. We both like how the slate looks, but I'm worried that with no natural light in our kitchen it would make it seem to dark. (We like the travertine too--I can't decide which I like better!) I can't post any pictures of the cabinets, Jason said we couldn't do that until the kitchen was totally done. So, white cabinets, stainless appliances, and the color countertop you see. Tell us what you like!

11 comments:

Just Us said...

So...here's the thing-I love the light color (which is the travertine I believe which is good for resale and so is the color if you ever do). However, slate can have great resale as well but can be pricey, and I don't really like the feel of it-but it looks great wet. With little light I would choose the lightest color-it will bounce what little light you have coming in. Most of all choose what you like the most!! Good luck! I wish we were working on a house too-lucky girl! Its gonna be beautiful!!
Liz

David and Debby said...

I love travertine, but the black in the slate picks up the black in the granite quite strikingly. If you're using real slate though, I don't think all the tiles come in the same color. Some are green, red, brown, etc, so I'm not sure that would look as good. You know, you can get travertine in a chocolate color.
Dad

Trev and Shan said...

Okay, I don't know anything about this stuff except that we have what I think you're calling travertine in our apartment and I love it! You can never tell when it's dirty...it's crazy. When I bake bread or cookies I get crumbs all over the place and you can't even see them at all. If I were you I would go with the light stuff if there's not much natural light in the kitchen. I do like the slate but I defintely like the travertine better. Good luck! I can't wait to see the finished product!

David and Debby said...

ps from Dad
Are you talking about natural slate, or glazed tile that looks like slate? In addition to multi-colors, natural slate tends to slough off (scale) over time, and it has an irregular surface that would be very hard to keep clean in a kitchen. If it's glazed tile it would it would not have those negatives. I do like that shade contrast, but with the dark countertops and not enough light, it might seem a little ominous.

We have that exact same brown granite and travertine in our master bathroom with whitewash cabinets, and its a great combination. And, travertine is ageless and very easy to clean.

David and Debby said...

ok, i love natural stone. , but i do think the contrast is better. your kitchen is pretty dark, that is, unless jason has a skylight planned:) go byu!!!

rebeccaV said...

I like the travertine much better. I think the color of the countertops will contrast nicely with the light cabinets, so I wouldn't worry about that. I think the travertine will make the kitchen look bigger and brighter. I also think it would be better for resale!!

rebeccaV said...

PS I love that picture in your header where they are all sucking on something...so cute!!

Crystal said...

I say travertine and can't wait to see the final product!!

Cara said...

I hate it when I have to choose between two good things. I like the slate color but as someone else said you do get a lot of color variance. Are you laying it yourself? I heard that laying slate is hard because not only is their a color variance but there is a difference in thickness of slate. So unless it is laid correctly you could stub your toe. Personally I would choose the color that looks most like dirt. We have a rusty color tile and I don't have to mop too often. It is nice. Good luck with the decision.

Crystal said...

Ok- I re-read this- is the granite your counter tops and you are getting just backsplash opinion? If so, go slate- I thought the backsplash was granite and you were looking for countertops and I would say travertine... I love travertine floors, that is for sure and a slate counter/floor would be very uneven and a pain to keep looking nice (we have it as our countertops in the labs that I teach) BUT if we are talking backsplash (just noticed your poll, I say slate all the way).

rebeccaV said...

Okay, I totally thought we were talking about floors!! That is a toss up for me if it is for the backsplash. I think I would still have to say travertine...