Don't paint stone. It wont last. Wait until you can bring yourself to rip it out and replace it.

Leave the backsplash. Mount something in the rectangle over the sink to add some contrast and get on with living in your new home.

Congratulations on your new home. Painting the walls is an easy way to change the overall look. IF you still dislike the look I would consider a new backsplash. Painting the cabinets is a lot of work to have done right and with the backsplash you have imo would not give you the look you want

I just had this same travertine ripped out of my bathroom, so I understand how you feel! But every pro I've spoken to has told me to hire an expert when repainting cabinets, and I don't think this stone is really paintable. Perhaps try some budget-friendly fixes to draw the eye away for now, like a colorful new rug, cute dishtowels and new cabinet hardware and save up for a new backsplash and cabinet painters if this is a priority. It's certainly looks like a very nice kitchen to live with for a bit.

P.S. Builders, quit using this travertine everywhere! It's so 2001 and I keep seeing it in remodels and new construction.

This is a perfect example of taking the smallest fleck of color from the counters and using that as a guide for the backsplash color. The small fleck isn't even noticeable from two feet away. So now it looks like the backsplash and counters don't even compliment each other.

The tan wall paint is a horrible match for the pink leaning tiles. Go pale gray.

Painting the cabinets gray would calm the kitchen. The white is very glaring with the tile.

Painting wont hold as Sophie has stated but you can stain travertine. You will need to strip the sealer from the stone first. What sealer did you use to seal the stone? If it's a penetrating sealer you can use KlenzAll by Stone Tech to remove the sealer. A test area is recommended to help determine the amount of times will be needed to wash the area free of the penetrating sealer. You will want to use the heavy duty dilution when mixing KlenzAll. This process can also remove enhancing sealers but complete removal of the enhancing sealer is not always possible.
Once the sealer has been removed you can stain the travertine. Couple years ago a customer of mine whitewashed their travertine and it turned out spectacular. Wish I had a photo...

Your kitchen is lovely......what about wallpapering one wall so that it becomes a focal point.....then add in colors that compliment the wall paper with large art work, hand towels, and rugs?

These papers all have very strong patterns in a two tone colorway, but the colors are subtle and that makes them arresting and striking but not overpowering....something to think about!

Check out https://romabio.com... it's a reasonable priced, artistic quality paint line that's available in a wide variety of colors and finishes. The one I used required no priming, covered with ease and was easily diluted if you'd prefer a washed tint. It is stunning on brick and can't imagine it not working on travertine. Give them a call, I bet there's a product to give you the finish you're looking for.

I think that the problem is the stark contrast between the white of the cabinets and the softer tones of the backsplash and countertop. I would get the cabinets painted an off-white. It might be an easier solution than removing the travertine. Unless you absolutely hate the travertine in which case you don't have a choice but to remove it.

Curious what you ended up doing. I think whitewashing the travertine in your kitchen would look fabulous and totally update your kitchen. Fifteen years ago, I used travertine for all my bathroom floors. Now I hate it. After looking on line for how to paint, stain, or whitewash them, I just last night started with one of our smaller bathrooms to see what I think. Travertine is quite porous and will take in stain or paint quite well. I started with a light whitewash of white (using a chalk paint). I think today, I'm going to try another coat. Because the travertine in this bathroom is brick sized, it now looks like whitewashed brick. So far, I'm loving it. Definitely better than the buff colored travertine that I once loved. Now .... I just want to whitewash my massive travertine master shower! DO I DARE?

I happen to think travertine can be timeless. But you have to have all the elements go together and compliment each other. I know the current trend is white, white white, but it is a trend that will soon pass just like all trends. I agree with some of the other comments on painting the cabinets. It's a hell of alot easier and more practical than ripping out all that tile. I think if you paint the walls the same color as the cabinetry, you will get a more classic look. You already have a lot of contrast with the wall tile and the countertop, you don't need any more. I'm referring to the kitchen.

In the bathroom, if it were me, I would take all that out, countertop and sink also. I believe most vessel sinks are not a good choice for form or function. Good luck.

Don't take bad advice. Painting travertine as well as painting brick for that matter will in most cases be a mistake.