It won't turn out well. Just replace it, backsplashes aren't that expensive. You'll probably spend more time and money trying to make the travertine work than you would by just taking it out and replacing it.

Just a suggestion...my travertine backsplash was very pink before I used an enhancing sealer, which turned it into a nice tan color without any hint of pink. If it had remained pink it would have clashed with my granite. Has your backsplash been sealed before?

I'm not sure if it was sealed. The previous owners had it put in.

Kristen- i am curious what you ended up doing with your backsplash? I have a tumbled travertine that i cant stand the orange warmth of... but it has been sealed and i dont know my choices (except completely replacing) once it has been sealed. I really feel a whitewash would tone it down to what i would be ok with. Did you end up painting/whitewashing it? If so, how does it look and is it holding up? Thanks!!

Call Romabio and see what they say. I had a client Romabio her kitchen and bathroom backsplashes. It came out amazing I just can't remember the product application details.

@audrn787 We just had our cabinets painted and orange toned travertine whitewashed. Absolutely love it. Can't speak to durability as it was just completed. I'm actually trying to figure out how to seal it and still keep the flat tone, which is how I came across this post. I had done Romabio on the travertine earlier myself, and it was easy enough to use, but anywhere that gets wet or needs to be washed down pulls some of the limewash off and will need touching up.

@rsanfo0 can you show a picture of your back splash? I just had cabinets painted and now my backsplash doesn't match!

@rsanfo0 i’d love to see pictures too! I tried whitewashing with a particular brand’s “whitewash paint” and the result was just too bright white. If i applied lightly, the orangey tone peeked thru and almost looked pink-peach. If i applied more layers, the white was too stark white. Do you know which paint was used for your whitewash? (i practiced on extra travertine just like my backsplash) Did you paint your cabinets white and then use the same white for the backsplash, diluted to make the whitewash? Sorry for all the questions, i am so antsy to get started and find a solution! I planned to seal and protect with Minwax Polycrylic after painting because it doesnt yellow like polyurethane, and it is soap and water cleanup. This brand has sheens ranging from matte to gloss, so give it a try! Looking forward to hearing back!

Kate, do you remember what products you used to paint them or anything particular that could help me when i paint my backsplash? Thats great to know that after 3 years it still looks that good, especially something as frequently touched/wiped as a countertop!

I’m sorry I’m just now seeing this! This is the only pic I have in my camera roll, but I can get a closer picture in a bit if you’d like.

Thank you rsanfo0! Kate, that's awesome! What shade did they use? Romabio comes in 3 shades and they have a sealer. Did you end up doing a sealer? If anyone else has tried the white wash I'd love see it! I want to tame down the scabos travertine, maybe with the gray shade from Romabio.