I will start by saying that a travertine is the perfect compliment to a beach house as far as the easthetic of colour and texture goes, however natural stones are not ideal as work surfaces because of their porosity. You are able to prep and seal them at an expense, although there are alternative to natural stone that can provide similar colour tones, without the need to do so. Composite quartz bench tops, and reconstituted stone Benchtops which are manmade have a 92-98% resin impregnated during their manufacture process and this effectively prevents absorption of moisture, hence stains. Essastone currently has the highest resin composition, making it the most durable. However, the beauty at natural stone evokes is unmatched. Because travertine is not only porous, but pitted, a normal sealant would not prepare the surface for Bench tops as these pits would collect all sorts of muck. A glass coat sealer or a self leveling resin could be applied by your stonemason to fill these pits. You can also purchase filled travertine in the form of tiles, so perhaps speak to a stonemason and ask what finish options are available in slabs. For my suggestion, look into quartz in your sand palette to avoid the cost and effort associated with using the travertine. Good luck.

Its not at all easy, dependent on what they put to adhere the original bench top you could end up damaging the cabinets. Then the splash back will 80-90% of the time get damaged, not all of it but the lower levels will. It would work out to be less stressful and costly to pay for the bench top you want now, as the prices for stone go up every year along with installation costs.

Hi, Ali, I eventually went ahead and had the stone overlay on my kitchen benches and splashback. I am absolutely delighted with the result, and am so pleased I had it done. It has given a completely refurbished look to the kitchen; there was no collateral damage to the cupboards; no having to take the old tiles down from the existing splashback; I didn't change my cooktop or sink (just had the same ones put back in) and I couldn't be happier. The only benchtop which was completely replaced was the long one at the front. It was widened to make a breakfast bar. My previous benchtops were a dark mottled laminate and the splashback was cream subway tiles with a frieze. Very dated. I've attached a before and after photo (the timber venetians at the window have since been replaced with a white holland blind, which looks so much better. If you're in Sydney I can give you the name of the company that did it for me.

Do what you can afford in the butlers pantry. I would prob would not do timber laminate on top but keep it plain and not compete for attention the laminate does not deserve,