Travertine's Grand Return: Architectural Digest Hails It as the New Design Darling

Architectural Digest has declared travertine the "surface du jour," signaling a significant resurgence for the natural stone. Once a staple, travertine is now making a powerful comeback, challenging contemporary favorites like marble and terrazzo in high-end interior design projects across the globe. Its unique texture and earthy tones are captivating designers and homeowners alike.

Key Takeaways

• Travertine is experiencing a major revival, championed by Architectural Digest.
• Its versatility allows for use in various applications, from flooring to statement furniture.
• Designers are embracing its natural imperfections and warm aesthetic.

A Timeless Material Reimagined

Travertine, known for its distinctive veining and porous texture, is being celebrated for its ability to add warmth and character to any space. Interior designers are increasingly opting for this natural stone, integrating it into a wide array of design elements. From luxurious bathtubs and kitchen islands to flooring and furniture, travertine's adaptability is proving to be a major draw.

AD100 designer Steven Volpe featured a striated travertine tub in a Manhattan apartment, while Kacey Musgraves showcased a vintage travertine dining table in her Nashville home. In Paris, designer Vincenzo de Cotiis utilized travertine extensively in a chic apartment, adorning floors, furniture, and even a bathtub. Similarly, Diego Delgado-Elias crafted a striking kitchen island and light fixture from the material for a French farmhouse, highlighting its dual nature by leaving some surfaces rough and others filled with translucent resin.

Design Versatility and Application

"The block can be cut in two ways," explains Delgado-Elias. "One leaves graphic lines that you could use vertically or horizontally; the other gives you different tones and shades of color." This inherent variability allows for diverse aesthetic outcomes. Designers are also mindful of its natural properties, noting that travertine will develop a patina and can stain over time, adding to its unique character.

AD100 designer Julie Hillman, a proponent of bold stone usage, praises travertine's earth-toned palette, which complements nearly any finish or color. "It adds a pure material that can warm up any space," she notes. Her recommendation for optimal use is unfilled travertine on vertical walls and filled travertine on horizontal surfaces, ensuring both beauty and practicality.

The Rise of Statement Stones

Travertine's ascent aligns with a broader trend towards "statement stones" in interior design. Greg Natale, an Australian interior designer, observes that bold stones, with their vivid colors and expressive veining, elevate spaces beyond mere utility into works of art. This shift, according to Gerardo Cortina Wiechers, CEO of stone supplier Arca, has been growing over the past five years, moving away from simple whites and grays towards a more vibrant spectrum of colors and patterns.

Architectural Digest's recent features underscore this trend, showcasing dramatic uses of marble, onyx, and other unique stones in celebrity homes and high-profile projects. Travertine, with its rich history and evolving applications, is now firmly positioned as a material of choice for designers seeking to create spaces that are both sophisticated and deeply personal.

Sources

• Travertine Is the Next Surface Du Jour, Architectural Digest.
• Statement Stone Is Having a Moment, Architectural Digest.