LB and Lynnie, sorry for taking so long to get back with you - computer issues. The overall feel for both rooms is tropical due to the chairs, artwork and the bamboo. And that was the look we were going for. I do have one pillow that will work (not in the original pic, but in the one where I moved the furniture based on LB's suggestion). I bought 3 tropical floral pillows to use during the summer, but I think the one with pink and dark rose (thanks Lynnie - I do think that's a more accurate description) will work the best. Now to find the right blue/green to go with it. Thanks again ladies for your comments and suggestions. I will start looking for a rug and hopefully can find something local so I don't have to deal with return shipping charges. Once I finish things, I'll post with an updated photo. Thanks again!

Lay down 2" minus gravel for excellent drainage. Then cover with heavy landscape fabric over gravel pinning the fabric down. Then lay down extra heavy cedar chips. You'll have to add to these cedar chips every few years as they color into a nice cedar grey and break down but they are relatively inexpensive to replace/add to as time goes by and by doing so they will naturally keep away bugs and be good for your trees as well. Otherwise there is always concrete as an option?

First what is on the other side of the windows? Basically you have a shady area and hellebores come to mind and they come in various colors from black, plum, purple, deep pink, yellow, white and green. some are double flowers. They are evergreen and maintenance includes cutting back old leaves in late winter and cutting off spent flowers after 3-4 months. They are poisonous so not a good idea of you have young children or pets. Look them up in Gardening section or at Gardenweb (part of Houzz). The slope area would look great with a dogwood or azelea, underplant with daffodils and pansies, yarrow and perennial salvia and annuals. By the step, 2 large planters (taller then the height of the step) with dwarf Alberta spruce or dwarf Japanese maples Mrmaple.com; some are really small 5 to ten feet tall at maturity, underplanted with evergreen sedums to cover up the dirt. Planters could be neutral color or a strong accent like bright blue, lime green or deep coral giving you something nice to look at even in the winter. Small leaved boxwood could also go under the windows. If you could get a small drip irrigation system in place it would help with watering chores. The planters need to be watered about once a week in summer about every 2-3 weeks in winter depending on rain. Put the planters on wheels and you can move them to a sunnier area in the summer.

It's better for the tree to not grow directly in grass, plus it's hard to mow over tree roots. If you have a Norway maple you're going to have a super hard time growing anything under there (sliver maples might be similar) . One plant that actually does well is bigroot geranium, I am trying out corydalis in someone's garden and it's surviving. Hellebore might be an option further away from the tree trunk. Some other plants that do OK with dry shade under trees are pulmonaria, brunnera, solomon seal and sea oats.