QUESTION

I am currently having a house built. Travertine tile was recommended as trim for shower and bath by design center. I purposely chose a dark grout with lighter tiles, however what I did not know is that the travertine tiles would be filled with grout- only between the grout lines. Now the travertine looks speckled. What is my recourse? I was told there was no other option to correct other than to re-tile, at my cost. Unfortunately no one educated me (design center nor tile layer) that the darker grout would distort the travertine tile.

ANSWER

ANSWER -  Travertine naturally has large voids/pores in it  and it can be purchased either filled or unfilled.  If the travertine is filled, it is filled with a blending color to the travertine.  Some people will purchase the unfilled travertine and then either install it unfilled, or after they install it they will grout the entire stone so the voids are filled with grout.  Depending on the color of grout you use can make the travertine tile look entirely different.

There are grout colorants that are sold by all of the major manufacturers of grout that match their grout somewhat.  The grout colorant is an epoxy base paint.  You can change the color of your grout to any color.  It is a tedious process to apply it without getting it on the tile, but it works.