The Ginkgo House start to finish

The tiles are cut in much smaller squares on the floors I have seen done this way. (1/4"-1/2") That being said I think the problem is your substrate. Maybe try weights instead of pins. If planks are the look you are going for Havana Holly uses a wood tape type product whose name escapes me at the moment. Hopefully she will chime in soon! 

Thank you, FurMama. I used wide-plank balsa wood wood flooring in another room, but first put down a sub-floor of cereal box carboard. Worked pretty good. 

Yes, I think you're right, part of my battle is an uneven substrate to begin with, but the drifting of tiles was an adhesive issue (I think). I was going for that over-sized tile look that was (still is?) a design fad, using 2ft square instead of the standard 1ft sq, or even 1 1/2 sq. Anyways, ripped it all out and tried the other option. Much better, but might still go with balsa wide plank. I just don't want a standard floor. 

 

Pic 1 straight down the hall. I still need to do a final alignment.

Pic 2 Still deciding whether to do working transom windows above the doors.

Pic 3 Lot of spackle and sanding and finishing still to go. Final color will be a naples yellow - the Windsor Newton Artists Oils is the only true naples yellow! Will buy a tube and color-match it at the paint store.

Pic 4. Outside looking in. To the left of the bench you can just see the balsa wide plank and some of the cereal box sub-floor (Home office room).

The hallway connects to a square multi-purpose room. Extra computer, a place to read, a place for adults to convive when the visiting kids are blasting the TV. Or visa-versa. The multi-purpose room separates the shared spaces (living, dining, kitchen) from the personal spaces (bath, office, bedroom). Even dolls need their space!

The tile or other flooring choice needs to work in every room ('cept maybe the office), so I want something that is durable, but also calming and works with each room's decor. It's gotta be consistent throughout. I have had enough oak floors to last 17 lifetimes, so that is out. I'm also looking at veneers to see if any have the right look and the right price. Also, the flooring, if linear like wood floors, will change direction when it turns the corner from the MP room into the kitchen, dining, living area - about where the end of the table in picture 1 is. Anyone do that, change directions with wood floors? 

 

Pic 1. My 'watching the sunset' moment, looking out from the bedroom, down the hall toward the multi-purpose room.

Pic 2. Outside looking down on the hall and the connecting MP room, which jumps to a cathedral ceiling. Left wall backs the kitchen.

Pic 3. Looking through the garden door into the home office, where I am laying balsa wood wide-plank on cereal box cardboard.

In the pics is my 1:12 scale 1850's style distressed English farm table - took a week to warp the crate pine. Also a 1:12 scale 1845 Irish famine bench. 

It all looks rough now, but will improve with time. Hey, it's a construction zone! Any thoughts / ideas from the community are welcome. 

Edited March 25 by Kami

I had also tried the 2x2 tiles in the mock-up kitchen. Just didn't work. The pass to the left enters the multi-purpose room, then to the hall. It's right about there that wood floors would change directions.

Wood floors in the kitchen? Why not. I've done it in real life and never had issues.

Edited March 25 by Kami