Hi SanAntonioGal,

I think allof your ideas would work, so I'll just offer my personal experience. I really liked the look of one size/shape of tile, then a little chair rail and something different for the second half of the b-splash, but my designer convinced me to keep it simple.

I ended up going with a simple arched herringbone in all one neutral color, and I'm glad I did. I find that the more simple b-splash is a good background, and I can add whatever decorative accessories (cookbooks, fruit bowl, coffee, sugar, flour, dry goods canisters) I'd like, changing them whenever I like, without getting bored or regretting choosing something more busy for a design element as permanent as a b-splash.

As for the edges of the travertine, I have a lot of travertine in my showers, tubs and bathroom vanities. Most of my ends and edges are finished with a simple travertine trim piece that matches the travertine tiles. A few edges that don't have the trim piece don't have bullnose, but it's also not rough cut--it's basically a polished edge, but straight, not rounded like bullnose.

Good luck!

If at all possible, take tile samples to your slab and take a look. Your granite has cream, brown, and yellow in it. Travertine can often end up looking pink next to a gold stone (do a search for travertine on this site - you'll see what I mean). Consider anything else. I have a few examples below that might help.