Travertine, the stone used to build the Colosseum and St. Peter's Cathedral, is making a comeback, enveloped in an aura of luxury and timeless elegance. Its natural veining, pores, and warm hue make it ideal for interiors and furniture, combining durability with organic beauty, writes WWD.
American designer Mick De Giulio, known for his bold and sophisticated interiors, notes: "Today, travertine is more relevant than ever. It reflects modern design needs — neutral, yet capable of creating a powerful visual impact." In his works, the stone appears in fireplace portals, wall cladding, and countertops, often in contrast with metal, adding depth and texture to the space.
The Italian company Salvatori, a legacy of three generations of craftsmen, preserves the traditions of working with travertine, emphasizing its uniqueness not only through its geographical origin but also through its ability to "age gracefully," changing patina and reacting to the environment. "Travertine is a living material. The way it is extracted, selected, and processed determines how striking it will be in an interior," states CEO Gabriele Salvatori.
At Paris Design Week, American designer Hayden von Verp presented the Arcus collection — a sofa, bench, and bar cart made of travertine, inspired by the ruins of antiquity and Art Deco aesthetics. "The material allows for playing with contrast: it can be polished for an elegant, controlled result or left raw to highlight architectural rigor," explains the designer.
This season, travertine shone both in interiors and on outdoor terraces: from RH collections in California to garden furniture by Cassina, created by Patricia Urquiola, while the Italian firm Giobagnara surprised with a collection of tabletop games made of travertine, leather, and wood.
Even in architecture, the stone remains a challenge: when working on the building of the Zurich Polytechnic Institute's architecture school, monolithic panels up to 16 feet tall were used. "Technically, such blocks are not available for sale. We created the equipment and set up the supply chain specifically for this project," says Salvatori.
Today, travertine is not just a material. It is a symbol of craftsmanship, heritage, and modern style that brings the atmosphere of ancient luxury back into homes without losing relevance in the design world.
