Kitchen Post #8 - Travertine Floor

The very first thing that we purchased for the kitchen was the travertine tile for the floor. We found the 16" square tiles on clearance, believe it or not, at Lowe's at the same time that we bought the tile for our Hall Bath. Thankfully it was a neutral tan color that would pretty much match anything so it didn't matter that we hadn't even chosen our cabinet finish or countertops at the time. :)

So we stashed our 2 giant piles of travertine in our carport for 2 years till we were ready to bring it inside, where it sat IN THE WAY in our living room for another 6 months or so till we were ready to install it. Hence the photo below...

Here's a photo of my handsome hubby laying down the first of the floor tiles. We began the project by gluing and screwing backer board through the original wood floors of the home into the floor joists. The backer board will not expand/contract as much as the wood so it is a better surface to tile on.

Here's the floor after day 1 of tiling...

Anyways, since we have installed the travertine flooring I have been absolutely in love with it. It has so much character since it is natural stone. And it also helps that it is the "color of dirt" as Dave says. You hardly have to clean it! But when you do, it cleans up like new with a microfiber mop and water.

This is a photo of the kitchen floor. We have a step down into our living room from the kitchen. My husband went ahead and installed travertine on the wall under the step. He calls it his "travertine waterfall" - we are in love with it. I think it is a great way to transition in this awkward location. And our little man Levi loves to play here on the step while we work in the kitchen.

Check back tomorrow for the story of how we selected our stainless steel appliances and how we like them now.