You might not be familiar with the name, but if you're an interiors obsessive you have definitely been seeing a lot of travertine tables on your social media feeds lately.
Sleek but soft, travertine acts as a chic halfway house between polished glamour of marble and the relaxed vibe of natural stone. Travertine tables first exploded in popularity in 1980s, but they are coming back with a vengeance in more contemporary designs - proving that this is a material that is totally timeless.
Read on to discover what travertine is, and our pick of the best travertine tables available to buy in the UK at the moment.
What is travertine?
Travertine is a sedimentary rock, a type of limestone which forms around mineral springs. A popular building material for thousands of years, travertine was quarried extensively by the ancient Romans and used to build aqueducts, temples and monuments.
Through the majority of history, Italy had the monopoly on travertine. But when newcomers like Turkey, Mexico and Iran entered the export market in the 1980s, travertine became more widely available, sparking a trend for travertine tables, surfaces and ornaments in the home.
The clue to travertine's recent revival in popularity might be its soothing earth tone pigmentation. With neutral colours all the rage in 2o21, travertine's natural pigmentation - ranging from white to beige and reddish-brown - is bang on-trend. Plus, its soft, earthy feel and porous texture make it the perfect choice for a back-to-nature decor scheme.
Sold on travertine? We've picked out our favourite travertine tables on the market at the moment - read on to find your perfect match!
The best travertine tables to buy in the UK
Travertine stone bedside tables, Etsy, £220 for a pair
This set of two miniature travertine side tables, handmade in London by Etsy seller bloomsburymakers is just the thing to add a note of warmth into an industrial scheme. With angular brushed-steel legs balanced out by the natural porous grain of the stone, style in a bedroom for an instant touch of softness.
Stoner coffee table, Made in Design, £439
A lot of travertine furniture harks back to classical elegance, so this playful coffee table from Dutch homeware designer Pols Potten makes an eye-catching change. Its midcentury curves and red-lacquered frame give it a fun, retro feel, while the travertine tabletop adds a distinct personality.
Montecito side table, Wayfair, £216
Gold and white are a classic chic colour combo - the resulting effect is luxurious while still feeling and bright. So we love this glam side table, with a gold steel frame topped with 100% polished travertine. The ideal finishing touch to a contemporary scheme.
Travertine console table, Etsy, £180
We don't usually include the same brands twice, but Etsy's bloomsburymakers are one of the only UK workshops to hand-make their own travertine furniture and we love their craftsmanship. This elegant slimline console table would look superb in a hallway, perhaps with candles or a couple of houseplants.
Agnesa dining table, Barker & Stonehouse, £2,195
The ultimate luxury purchase if you love the look of travertine, this six-seater pedestal dining table from Barker & Stonehouse will act as a magnificent focal point in your kitchen or dining room.
Available in eight finishes, including copper, gold and white, it makes for an opulent tribute to the grandeur of classical architecture.
