We didn't use traditional subway tile. Our field tile in the shower/tub surrounds in two bathrooms are Daltile's Modern Dimensions tile (~4x12+"). We used it vertically in our guest bathroom, and horizontally in our hall bathroom, with honed travertine on the floor in both.

Guest bathroom:

Here is a link that might be useful: hall bathroom

I wouldn't use white subways with classic travertine unless it was silver or ocean travertine where there's white and silver tones in there. There are some travertine mixes that have some white steaks and gray mixed in. It's not so much the finish that's the problem, but the clean starkness of the white, against the pure golden tones of the travertine. I don't feel they go together well.

I wouldn't mix the two, because of both color and sheen. But you can get off-white subways in a matte finish. They'd work better with travertine.

I wouldn't mix the two, because of both color and sheen. But you can get off-white subways in a matte finish. They'd work better with travertine.

I agree with this. Also, it would be nice if you could incorporate some of the travertine on the wall - perhaps as an accent strip.

The glossy white field tile in our guest bathroom ties in with the glossy white tub, toilet, and sink. The listello border tile in the guest bathroom (emperador dark marble/White Thassos/Noce travertine) picks up the colors of the vanity--espresso stained walnut, the toilet, shower pan, and sink--white, and the lt walnut or noche travertine floor tile.

The glossy field tile in our hall bathroom provides a nice contrast to the split-face travertine mosaic border tile and honed travertine floor tile.

abd1--thanks. At a local Home Show this past weekend, the tile store we'd used had a nice display utilizing some new tile they'd gotten in--glossy 4x16" (!!!--cool shape/dimensions) white tile with stone strips/mosaic accent tile.

What about wainscoting instead of subway tile. That seems to have a softer look. Like this:

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Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:1394026}}

I went onto houzz.com and searched "white subway" to see if I could find anything that had anything close to this combination. These were the closest I found. I think pulling together Travertine and white glossy subways will be tricky.

[traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by toronto Shannon Cabinetry

[traditional bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by san francisco architect Andre Rothblatt Architecture

[traditional bathroom design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by other metros interior designer Natalie DiSalvo

Wow, what you're wanting to do is same as me. Our pool bath will have lots of use and my biggest concern is maintenance. We have travertine floors, and DH says nothing other than travertine will look good in the shower. I think it will be too cave-like. I want light and easy to clean. I keep thinking there's got to be something better. Hafta let you know what we come up with.

doggiemom, thanks for taking the time. That first pic has a lot going on that will be similar to our bathroom (our vanity will be white with very similar door style), if we continue down this path. Now I'm thinking of scrapping subway tile all together and just using travertine with an accent tile and mixing up the pattern. Or, I think maybe a matte subway will work, but we'll see. Going to a tile store next week for a design consultation and we'll check out a few options.

Check out this article. Personally I love the white subway and travertine. It updates the overdone travertine look.

http://carlaaston.com/designed/travertine-floors-learn-how-to-update-their-look