IMO, both the white tiles & the grout should be a match to the white of Talavera tiles. Otherwise it’ll all look like a mismatch. Also IMO, I would wait on paint color selection until the tile is in place. Paint color choice should be made with what looks best against the wood in the room. Once tile is in place there might be a color in the Talvera that pops out & that’s where I’d start. Curious question - what kind of wood countertop are you using for a bathroom? Is this a piece of funriture being repurposed for a vanity? And, what kind of towel bar(s) are you using? Ceramic might be cool.

I have a very similar sink in my bath, but wall hung. I went with terra cotta color tiles in the shower with a random mix of talavera as an accent strip. You'd be surprised how the talavera pops against the terra cotta. I too had planned on an off white or beige tile, but liked the terra cotta so much better. Walls are painted a light terra cotta color (or peachy) with the wood trim a peachy brown. I used SW colors but I can't remember what exactly they are. I used a grout that matches the terra cotta tile. Sorry I don't have photos.

White grout for all tiles.

Pick the tiles, then the grout. The white on your inspiration image is much too stark, but that might be in part because the grout lines are much too wide.

If you're going to use the "white" tiles (these are talavera in both the patterns and solids) use white grout

Bathrooms · More Info

Here is solid white tiles with talavera patterned trim and the grout is white. not exactly what you said, but I think you can get the idea of what it would look like.

Zenteriors · More Info

Here is a version in a not white grout

Classically Spanish · More Info

Cherokee Homes Talavera Tile · More Info

also, remember that hand painted talavera is individually made, and is not completely flat.

Great advice so far- thanks! Here are my sink and a few of the tiles

Re: countertop- I haven’t selected one yet but it’s a 30” vanity of this design