You don't need Japanese plants to make a Japanese garden. At the Japanese garden I work, we have lots of US natives as well as plants from Europe. Of course we do have Japanese maples of several varieties as well as some other plants from Japan. But I would suggest picking plants that work for area 1st and foremost. If I had to recommend some plants though I would choose small evergreen shrubs (yews, boxwood, holly, etc), GREEN Japanese maples, and evergreen trees such as pines, falsecypress, etc. Here is a link that might be useful: Some great green Japanese maples

I'm trying to select a grout color for some ostrich gray slate right now. I have another installed floor of the same variety of slate (though a different batch). I noticed on that floor the grout seems a bit lighter than the sample stick. When I discussed with my tile store, (they also do tile installation), I was told that grout between natural stone can sometimes be lighter because the natural stone sucks some of the moisture out of the grout as it's drying. Also, I have discovered that grout and tile (samples and actual installation) color will vary depending on time of day, natural vs artificial light, etc. I was hoping to grout this weekend, but decided to take a step back and make certain to see the grout color with the tile in daylight as well as with artificial light.

if I want it to be there all the time-I arrived to the conclusion that hand knotted rugs are a very nice option:) they are very resilient, actually, and look very cool. depends on a room of course there are some cotton washable bath mats that I like as well..they stay in the place and can withstand a lot. The backing must be good on these. I liked my Anthropologie one-it was great for kids' bath, non slippery, interesting shape, and emerged from the washer looking new each time. if I don't want bath mat there for all the time-I just use towels/towel like mats, that are easy to wash, hang to dry, put away..

Wow, like the new layout. I’d move the skinny floor lamp next to orange chair. Now there is room for chair to be moved in a bit/slanted. Place small table vs lamp next to chair. Move tall plant (add rest of plants) into opposite corner, for more impact and interest. All you need in corner by couch is the wider floor lamp (potentially the table) as it’s feeling too cramped. Try curtains on opposite side of windows, so they don't break up wall, but frame it instead. There are a lot of pieces in your room; empty space allows the eye to rest, especially if using strong colors. I‘d keep to three colors to create a connection and blue would work well with your art and will soften the orange. A rug especially will tie the room together, but if not in budget make sure the cushions are well suited and interesting. There should be a connection in room that doesn't feel forced.