The Cornice

Travertine is a sedimentary stone, formed when calcium-bearing groundwater rises through hot springs and deposits dissolved minerals as it cools. The Romans built the Colosseum from it. Most of central Rome's classical architecture is travertine from the quarries at Tivoli, where the stone has been worked for over two thousand years.

The defining character of travertine is its porosity. The stone forms in layers, and gas bubbles trapped during deposition leave visible pores and voids in the finished block. These can be filled at the factory or left open. The Cornice is finished with the pores left open — a choice that reads as honest, the way travertine has been used since antiquity.

A plate for what the day asks. Cheese and crackers in the evening. Stone fruit on a summer table. Olives and bread before dinner. A jewellery tray on a dresser holding rings, earrings, a watch. A catch-all by the front door for keys and mail. Some owners keep it permanently as a low sculptural object with nothing on it. Used or empty, the form holds.

Each piece is its own. The pattern of open pores, the streaks where iron and other minerals settled, the rhythm of light and dark — none of it can be predicted before the slab is cut. We do not sort or select for uniformity. Your piece will have its own pattern, different from the photograph and from the next one. This is what stone offers, a material that refuses to be made identical.

Kitchen island for service. Sideboard for display. Coffee table as a low anchor. The piece is sealed and food-appropriate for dry serving — cheese, charcuterie, fruit, nuts. For sustained wet contact like olives in brine or oily dressings, use a smaller dish on top to protect the pores.

For the full material story, see the Materials page.

Travertine is easy to care for, with one caveat: it is porous, and the porosity is a property of the material rather than a defect to be managed.

• Dust with a dry soft cloth between uses.
• For a proper clean, use a barely damp cloth with a single drop of pH-neutral soap. Dry immediately.
• Wipe spills as they happen. Even sealed travertine will eventually stain from sustained spill contact.
• Avoid acidic cleaners — vinegar, lemon, bathroom descalers.
• Reseal annually for pieces in regular use.

For the full procedure including how to handle stains and reseal, see the Care Guide.

Drop 01 opens in spring 2026. Register your interest above to be the first to know when it opens.

When the drop opens, you'll have 14 days to secure your piece. Once the drop closes, your piece is made for you by hand. Lead time from drop close to delivery is 8 to 10 weeks. Production places per piece are limited and some pieces will sell their production slots before the drop closes.

The Waitākere bowl on the same surface for height variation. The Newel spheres as small forms nearby. The Joint or The Oculus as sculptural companions.

Can I serve food directly on The Cornice?

Yes, for dry serving and brief contact. Cheese, charcuterie, crackers, bread, fruit, and nuts are all appropriate. It is not designed for cutting on (a knife will scratch the seal), sustained wet contact (olives in brine, oily dressings), or hot dishes from the oven.

What is the difference between filled and unfilled travertine?

Both are travertine. Filled travertine has the natural pores filled at the factory for a smoother surface. Unfilled (or "open-pored") travertine leaves the pores visible, which is what The Cornice has. The texture is part of the character.

Will the open pores collect crumbs and dust?

Some yes. A dry brush or soft cloth lifts most of it. For a deeper clean, a barely damp cloth with a drop of pH-neutral soap. Most owners come to read the small marks of use as patina rather than as something to be eliminated.

Can I use The Cornice on a coffee table without it scratching the wood?

The base is honed smooth. On hardwood it will not scratch. On softer woods (pine, beech) or fine finishes, felt pads on the base prevent any risk. The piece weighs 2.4 kg, so weight distribution matters.

Does the colour stay consistent under sunlight?

Beige travertine is stable under UV. Prolonged direct sunlight over many years can cause very gradual lightening, but it is not a piece you need to keep out of windows. Avoid direct afternoon sun on the same spot for years if absolute colour consistency matters.