I'm a big proponent to go with what works well in your water and you have readily available.
For example, if you have really soft water I wouldn't try going with something like valisnaria.
I prefer the jungle look when it comes to plants, and generally rosette plants that are not too big for the aquarium, maybe lots of cryptocoryne with bucephelandra to highlight on the hardscape.
Livestock wise I would go for something small and simple, but in larger numbers.. I would be tempted to go with 40 or so otocinclus or plain old shrimp.
Not sure how much that helps, but it's the direction I would likely go.