Filled or unfilled travertine?

Look at the surface you will touch.

Travertine references often show very different textures under the same broad name. Compare the visible openings, layer direction and finish on the proposed sample. Ask which treatment the sample represents and whether the finished edge will have the same treatment.

A close-up helps with texture, while a complete piece shows how the pattern reads at a distance. Review both. Two different-looking samples should not be treated as a verified before-and-after performance test.

Ask what has been filled.

Discuss the intended filling treatment, colour and appearance with the supplier. Ask how it will look across the face, edge, recesses and any carved areas. Clarify which natural features remain visible after the chosen process.

Do not select a finish from a photograph alone. Lighting, camera processing and the scale of the image can make the same material look smoother or more open than it appears in person.

Connect texture to the use.

Explain where the piece will sit and what will be placed on it. Ask for a cleaning routine for the selected surface and filling treatment. Areas that collect dust or are hard to reach deserve particular attention in the design discussion.

Keep the final sample and finish description with the drawing. If a later substitution is proposed, compare it against that record before approving it.

Your checklist

Questions before the next step