Wow that is a beautiful kitchen. The back splash does not work. It takes away from the counter tops, which are stunners. No offense intended at all, I would remove it. I can't see the rest of the kitchen, so not sure what to suggest. I love the subway tile/size. I started to say brushed nickel, but I see the hardware is oil rubbed bronze. Soft grey or white would look great. Good luck.

remove it now before you go any further.

You'd have to whitewash it or smear the backsplash with mortar if you keep it.

That is precisely the reason I always caution against using travertine. It's always pink. Just some people can't see it.

Remove it now.

Honestly I would remove it - I just don't see any way it can work. And I would strongly recommend replacing it with something that is one color only - no variation in color at all. Your counter has a ton of movement, the cabinet hardware is a strong dominant color, and there is glaze on the cabinets. It is really important to have somewhere for the eye to rest. I would choose a subway in the white of your countertop, use matching grout, and install it in a traditional layout such as running bond - no herringbone or anything. In my opinion anything more visually busy than that will detract from and compete with the rest of your kitchen.

Oh how disappointing. Don't dig in deeper by grouting. Your first loss is your least loss.

Before choosing another tile, bring home samples and look at them for a day or so in different lighting situations - with your cabinets/counter. Don't just choose something at the store. So sorry it didn't work out, if you bring home samples and want to post pics here, pls do.

If you're not going to remove it, talk to a designer about grout and lighting that could help minimize the pink tones.

another vote for a single color tile.

I would paint it! Depending on the actual color of your countertops you may could go with white or even black.

Well it certainly looks too pink to me. Before you rip it out, you can try a sealer/enhancer to see what color it turns on a lose tile. If you like it, you need to use it before grouting. Miracle 511 is a great product.

I'm with suzyq. It's a porous quarry tile and once you put a sealer on it, the color can change. Test it by wiping some water onto it and see what I mean. I think ripping it out is the very, very last resort.

This is what the tile looked like before installation - you can see that it coordinated much better with my cabinets and granite. I have found an amazing paint company out of California who carries lime wash paint which will act as a stain for porous materials and I may try that before removing altogether to achieve this lighter look that I thought I was getting. If anyone has any other suggestions/treatments to try before removing i would greatly appreciate. Thanks for the feedback

Kitchen is beautiful. I agree with others, too busy. Love the cabinets and counter.

It is so hard to think of replacing when you feel on downside of being through.

We had terrible tile work done in a bathroom remodel. Did not want to change...expensive ...messy...and people build a house in less time Than this bathroom redo took....nine months all tole.

But, WE knew we would never be happy unless it was right.

Take a deep breath...

BTW, what are the red marks in one of the pictures of the backsplash?

Spacers from when the tile was installed.

Post a picture when it's done suzyq. OK?

The blue undertones in your counter (which is within the gray) is fighting with the yellow and brown undertones of the stone causing it to look pinkish. Your lighting also plays a big role. I see this a lot with stone counters that have blue undertones. If you want to avoid replacing, change your lighting.

Oh, and use a impregnating sealer as they do not alter the coloring much. Stay away from enhancing sealers.

I can’t give you an exact color because of finicky monitors; but before you rip out that backsplash will you try a brown paint on your walls…just a large enough test area…two coats…near the back splash. I think it will neutralize the pink undertone.

Start with B.M.Middlebury Brown.

Much better! Looks really nice.

Yay! You saved the day!

I think it looks great! Good job!!!

Take some of the left over tile and apply the lime wash to it. Then apply to a test board and test your grout before you have it applied to the whole backsplash. Test colors until you find one that works best with your countertops and cabinets.

Well that is absolutely great. Looks so much better. So what exactly is lime wash - is it usually used on bricks on a house?

Still a tiny bit pink but what a difference! Good solution whomever thought of it!

Wow. Good work. Looks so much better. I will be curious to see it with the sealer. I still don't know if it does the rest justice. I know that sounds negative, but I am trying to imagine if it is the most complimentary back splash. Still, so much better. Good thing you tried this.

I know you've invested a lot of time and effort in this, but it is still pinkish, and still clashes. Yes, it's better. You're not there yet. Maybe another coat of lime wash? If you are unwilling to remove it?

I think the tiles would LOOK great if whitewashed, but unfortunately they won't FUNCTION great. Travertine never will make sense as a backsplash in a kitchen due to its porosity and roughness, and any kind of surface treatment can't fix that. Take one of your tiles, splatter it with tomato sauce and grease and a curry sauce, and let sit for 24 hours. Then attempt to clean it with a sponge only.

Then go find a lovely glazed tile in a color that quietly complements your granite, and use that. Doesn't have to be subway or subway layout....could be any shape or layout you prefer.

I have this exact same problem! My counters are very similar in color and pattern to yours, and my travertine looked perfect before it was installed. After it was sealed and grouted, it has a yellow tint to it. I just bought limewash paint today to try to whiten it back up. Do you know how much your limewash was diluted? I’d love to see how it looked like after it was grouted.

OMG thank you for this! We bought our house 5 years ago and I hate the tile /counter combo. It's the same problem you have: its pink!!

can you tell me the limewash color and dilution you used? you might save my mind

I honestly think the company sent you the wrong tiles. Whats on your walls is NOT the same as the sample

This is a 2 year old post. What did you end up doing??

I am in a similar situation, different undertone of backsplash but am looking for a similar solution. Am thinking of limewash/whitewash but curious on your results!

Liz, and that is why travertine went out of favor. Yes, some stayed beige, but most became pink. Also issues of staining behind the sink.

Although this post is old, people can learn from it.

Resurrecting this older post --- can anyone provide any other details on limewashing travertine tiles? Also, I keep hearing about changing the undercabinet lighting to help lessen the pink, but I'm wondering if anyone has any specific advice on what color of fluorescents (or other undercabinet lighting, for that matter), would help. Thanks for any advice!

I’d be interested in the answer to the question above.

Carolina Kitchen and Bath…the red things are tile spacers for installation, nothing permanent.

On my computer monitor, they look like red wax pencil marks. Thanks!

All very interesting. I too am tired of the yellow/orange look of travertine. Thinking of just going with white subway tile unless anyone has another thought.

There are so many other things that will work, besides white subway tile. Look around and get some samples. White subway is fine, but there's a whole smorgasbord of possibilities!

And yes, it's time for the dated travertine to go.

Thank you for this. I have a lot of white subway left over from a bathroom project but could explore other options.

You might get more suggestions if you make a new post of your own with pictures of the kitchen.

I know this is an old post, but I was also looking for a solution to the pinkish tone. I've had my travertine for years, but I'm looking for an update. I love the stone just not the tone. I just ordered limewash "paint" from this amazing company. They sell samples too. I love the way your limewashed travertine looks! Can you give us an update? I will post pictures of my travertine tiles after the limewash. Limewash Paint | Eco Indoor Paint | Bauwerk Colour

Another thing that must be considered when matching natural tile is variation. The tiles selected for the match were white where tone complimented the counter material. However, travertine is highly variable so I advise anyone considering it to look at each end of variation and compare not by laying it flat bit buy putting a sample board together and placing it agains wall with counter material laying horizontal on cabinet, because color is a reflection of light and will appear different when viewed laying flat versus upright.

This is why we look at paint samples on the wall within the room where it will be applied, as it will look different during different times of day, depending on sun exposure in the room, and how it absorbs color within the room. Color is further complicated by variations in natural materials as stated above and by the fact it is a reflection of light.

I used rombia limewash and had it mixed at the paint store in the same color as my cabinets- takes the guessing out of trying to match!

@lms1599 Do you happen to remember what lime wash you used? I have the same backsplash and love your after pics.

Two questions for those that have used limewash to lighten their travertine: Any problems with cleaning behind the stove and does sealing darken the tiles/limewash job?