Monica- whose grout are you using, and what's the color?

I'm looking at Custom's Linen. Haystack *might* do and it does have a matching caulk. Bill, my tile is like the lightest travertine. I want some contrast but nothing that makes the grout lines scream "look at me!". Do you think Haystack will be too dark? The decorators say those are the two they use the most with this tile (Ragno's Eclipse in Moonlight)
Monica

It just so happens that I have Custom's grout sample kit right here. The haystack looks like it would bring out the darker coloring in the stone. Unfortunately, my son has my truck right now, and my Mapei grout kit is in the truck. Let me take a look tomorrow and see how either one of the colors match up to Mapei's colors. I know for SURE that I can get ahold of any of Mapei's colors in either sanded or unsanded caulking. If I can match your color up close enough, maybe you can go that route.

Bill, here is a picture of my tile (it's at the base of the vanity arch). You think Linen would "blend" too much? I used Canvas with my ivory travertine on the kitchen backslpash. I wanted to use Linen but DH thought it needed to BLEND. Linen would have given the tile some definition. This porcelain is like an ivory colored travertine. From the website, it looks like Haystack would be a tad too dark BUT, I know the grout is going to dry 2 shades lighter than the sample stick. Hey, wouldn't a enhancing sealer darken the grout? If so and Linen wasn't quite dark enough, the enhancing sealer (I know you don't believe in sealers) might make it the perfect color. But that doesn't solve the "no caulk in that color" issue. I went to Mapei's website but didn't see a color chart. If you find something in Mapei that is close to the Linen or in-between Linen and Haystack, please let me know. I don't mind using Mapei grout. I didn't know the cualk was sanded or unsanded :o We used clear in the kitchen so I don't have any experience with colored caulk.
Thanks Bill

Monica, what I'll do is if I find something that's almost exact, I'll take a pic of the Mapei color next to the Custom color, so you can see how close (or not) it is, and decide from there what you want to do.

What's more frustrating than comparing grout colors on those little strips and brochures?

Comparing grout colors on a monitor!

Click me to get frustrated!

Your pal,

Mongo

Wanted to add:

Did you check Color Rite? They have several hundred colors of matching caulk.

Mongo

Mongo, I haven't checked "Color Rite". Didn't know about them. Is that something most any tile supply shop will carry? And you're right, color comparisons on computer monitors are iffy at best. And even the color sticks themselves aren't too accurate. Doesn't the grout dry about 2 shades lighter than the sticks? If that's the case, I think Haystack will be perfect and it does come in a matching caulk.
Monica

I thought it DIDN'T have a matching caulk?

Haystack does come with a matching caulk. Linen does not. I was thinking Haystack would be too dark. David is picking up a bag of Haystack tonight so we can see if it's a good choice.
Monica

I think that I mail order Color Rite. I know I used CR caulk to match Custom's Butter Cream not too long ago. Good caulk, nary a problem.

Did you ever find a caulk that was close to Custom's linen in color as I'm looking for the same thing? Thanks.