I'm not a fan of travertine personally so can't be much help there, however, my sister and BIL redid their kitchen recently and used tumbled marble for their backsplash. It looks very similar and might be an option to fall back on if your unsuccessful with your search.

Not sure where the question is....back in the day we heavily waxed the adobe colored travertine floors at the University. It is very porous, will absorb anything spilled/splashed on it.

We also have travertine on a couple of floors and i have to admit i hate it. Just another perspective......would never choose it as a flooring material!

arcy, I don't know what happened to my question. I guess I'm wondering if it's possible to find such "clean", fairly consistent 1x1s. This will be a 10 tall band as part of a 12" listello in a bath/shower combo. There will be very VERY little showering in this tub. An example of an exception would have been had the bathroom been ready before DH had emergency double by-pass surgery last week. His baths would be replaced by showers till he was told he could bathe again. I know the travertine has to be well sealed. I have 4x4 tumbled on my kitchen backsplash. I probably put 6 applications of sealer (water base/non enhancing). One swipe to a (food) spot with a Mr Clean Magic Eraser and it's gone!

kswl2, I have honed and filled in the entry. I love it BUT the front entry is seldom used. The robot sweeps it and every once in a while I apply an Aquamix cleaner. It's lovely with it's little Emprador Dark accent squares. Am I dating myself <lol>

Travertine is not a man made product and every batch will be slightly different. I use it often because it is classic and never goes out of style. You might want to purchase from a retailer that will allow you to return unused full sheets and order 20% more tile than what you need and use the sheets you prefer. Travertine has a "C" classification as a marble, but it has to do with strength not appearance.

If you want something perfect and consistent, there are plenty of mosaic porcelain tiles designed to look like travertine that you can purchase instead. IMO the idea of a strip in the shower bath is a concept I don't see often done well. The concept is pretty dated already. I wouldn't do it. Here are a few bad examples of the strip accent tile.

Thank you. Yes, I realize it's a natural product and is different but also realize that batches can be fairly consistent. It's just finding it. I talked with another one of DH's designers today. She said let her know when I'm coming to the city and she'll have a few options for me to look at. She thinks we can find what I'm looking for. 1" porcelain travertine-look alikes might be something she has in mind. I won't rule that out.
I agree, I don't care for any of the listellos you've posted. And you may not like what I'm doing (most don't) but my husband and I love it and we aren't considering resell. The listello will be 12" tall. Ten inches of 1" travertine and (2) 1" metal liners. One on top, one on bottom. 2" metal accent tiles placed in a pattern or random within the travertine. This tub will be used as for bathing 99% of the time. Concrete Connections in Downtown Black will be on the surround and floor.

Monica can you please post a picture of your Bain ultra tub?

Here ya go. My bathroom was remodeled in 2007-8. FINALLY getting DH's done now. The last of the "80s" is GONE :)

I used to give my grandson "milk" baths with powdered milk. I always put some in his little hand to eat :)

Do you have some questions concerning the tub?

Thanks so much! its a really nice remodel and he's so cute!
Is yours the 50 or 55?
Im debating between the Pro meridian 55 and Thalassa 55.
Pro meridian cuz of the wideness, thought would be comfortable. Or Thalassa 55cuz of the grab bars and armrests.

I have more questions too if you don't mind.
Do you feel its wide enough by the feet and by the armrests?
Also I tried the elegancia in the store and the armrests were curved. That was comfortable to rest elbows (as opposed to arms cuz just half arm rests in the Thalassa). So can you rest your elbows on the armrests?

It's the 55. I use the grab bars often. The arm rests sometimes. I wish the tub was a bit wider in the leg and feet area. I'm used to it now tho. Find out the measurements at the "well", the bottom of the tub. It will be different from front to middle to back. I"m short (like 5' short :o) so laying down and using the armrests don't work too well for me. A wider tub would have eaten more into my vanity length. Good luck :)

Do you think grab bars on wall would work as good as the built in?

For me, no. I might have to add grab bars to the wall someday but due to my back, the use of the in-tub handles are very helpful.

k thanks so much for the info