Help with modified hopscotch layout please

I'm doing a modified hopscotch pattern or stair-step pattern in my kitchen with 16x16 and 2x2 tiles. You can see the layout here:

http://www.unique-inc.com/public/tile_floor6.pdf

1. I'm not sure on what angle to lay out the tiles. If I take a 16x16 tile and put it down on a 45 degree angle as done in the picture, every individual tile is at a 45 degree angle which the red line shows. HOWEVER, since the pattern is a stair-step, the pattern itself is at two different angles as the blue lines show. Going up from left to right the pattern rises at 52 degrees. Going up from right to left it rises at 38 degrees. This is because the 2x2 tiles effectively step at 7 degrees in either direction. So what is the best way to lay it out? The way I have it in the picture, where an individual tile is at 45 degrees, but the pattern is different from each side, OR SHOULD I rotate the entire layout so that the pattern rises at 45 degrees from either side but each individual tile is then not at a perfect diagonal, each tile would be at 52 or 38 degrees. I hope somebody can follow this.

2. Secondly, how can I lay this out to make sure my lines are straight?

Thanks so much for the help.

Larry

Larry why are you skewing the layout. I think you are overthinking this, it isn't that difficult.

Your layout must be at a 45 degree angle to your walls to simplify this. The problem with that particular design is that each row (as you know) jumps a nominal 2 inches, so a single layout line doesn't offer much benefit. You probaly won't see a repeat within fifteen feet or so.

Lay down a "base line" at a 45. Start there, then square and measure back to your base line as you move away from the base line. A few more lines (parallel to your base line) will be handy once you determine their actual spacing.

[Edited by Bud Cline Tile on Wed, Oct 28, 2009 at 1:28 pm CST]

Thanks for the response. So then you would agree that it should be the actual 16x16 tile itself that is on a 45 degree angle, and not the pattern rows, so that it is OK that the pattern rises at 52 degrees left to right but 38 degrees right to left? Then it would match the picture.

Yes, I guess I could snap a 45 degree angle and lay down the first 16x16 tile. Since using 3/16 spacers and 2x2 tiles, the tiles below it left and right would be shifted left/right by (2.1875)" but still parallel to the original snapped 45 degree line. I could snap a few lines at multiple of (2.1875)" offset and parallel to the original line so the pattern rows stay straight.

Thanks.

Larry,

All the tiles and rows will be set square to each other, you are simply orienting the whole floor to a 45 of the walls. All the tiles will be parallel in both directions. Your blue and red lines have nothing to do with how the tiles will be set.

It's not as difficult as you're trying to make it.

Jaz

The fact is - - - if you stand in the right location your pattern is in fact "square" everywhere, meeting the walls at a 45 degree angle.