28 Sep 2026
·
8 min read
Travertine, explained: filled, unfilled and honed
The same stone can look like three different materials. A short guide to the finishes we use and where each one belongs.
Travertine forms around hot springs, and the gas trapped in it leaves small holes all through the stone. What you do with those holes decides how the stone looks and how it behaves.
Filled
The holes are filled with a matching resin or cement and the surface is polished. It is the easiest to clean and the most formal. We use it on bathroom walls.
Unfilled
The holes stay open. It has the most texture and catches light beautifully, but crumbs and soap collect in it. We use it where hands touch but water does not stand: sills, side tables, fireplace surrounds.
Honed
A matte, smooth finish without a shine. Honed and filled is our default for kitchen islands and basins.
