If you like 12' why not go with it throughout. You do end up with more material finishing cost but on the flipside we were told to do 11' ceilings meant 12' studs had to be cut down which increases the labor cost there (how costs compare you'd have to look into further yourself). If you're in the same boat you'll be paying for 1 foot of lumber to be cut and thrown away. We were ok with that because super high ceiling weren't what we wanted, just a necessity of the transoms and specialty vaults we knew we wanted.

Will you be staining or painting your doors and trim? If they are to be stained, that should probably be the next item on your list of things to do. Do you have hardwood flooring, or will you be installing them? If so, then you would probably want the hardwood floors finished along with the doors and trim. Will you have a fireplace that will have a thin brick or stone surface? If so, then that should be completed before painting. Will you have any tile floors? If so, I would have those installed prior to the hardwood floors. If you need any shower pans poured, then that should be taken care of before, or right after, the drywall is in, depending on how they will be poured. You will need to give more specifics about your project, but generally, the painting is done after the doors and trim are installed. After the painting is done, call in the electrician to complete the finish electrical work. Cabinets should be done after painting, and will be near the end of your list of things to do. After the cabinets and countertops are installed, the plumber should be called in for the finish plumbing work. There are no hard and fast rules regarding the order any of this work should be done, and I have seen different builders to it completely ways. For example, some builders will put in the hardwood floors right after the drywall is up, but won't finish the floor till near the very end of the project. Others won't put in the hardwood floors till after the doors, trim, tile, and painting is done, and will finish them right away. Both ways will work, its just a matter of preference.

It look more like a Sedum AKA Telephium to me than a shrub. However, more info is needed. Where are you in the world, what has weather, especially rain, been like, do you water/irrigate, how long has the plant been here, etc?

It has produced some new growth at the top and at the short stub at the right. It still doesn't look right to me. The new growth on the short stub also has a dark green/brown color. I've put the cutting in the shadow. What's wrong overhere? See photo. @Peter, dry rot might be possible. I don't know really. Should I try some hydrogenperoxide? Edit: I don't trust it at all. I've removed it from my collection and swabbed it with h2o2. Does someone have any pointers about how to progress from here? Can it be saved?