WANTED: Fresh professionally designed, "no bling", "no frills", functional desktop theme.
Friday, October 17, 2008 by mickeko | Discussion: OS Customization
As the subject suggests I'm looking for something entirely different than most of the themes I can see here. I know design is a very subjective issue, specially when it comes to minimalistic no frills designs. I want something that makes my OS look clean while still retaining usability. The main focus of themes here seem to be more on the flashy detailed side than just simple, good looking and effective.
Any suggestions? 
Reply #2 Friday, October 17, 2008 2:04 PM
I feel the best theme suited for one's taste is the one you build!
But if you want a conservative professional looking style, look no further than the blinds and components for Aero Metal, Aero Executive and StealthOS.
Reply #3 Friday, October 17, 2008 2:30 PM
Classic?
Luna?
Ah, I've never really liked the microsoft versions of "professional". They went from ugly to toy to ... well aero.. While it's their best effort, it feels a bit too bulky for my taste.
I feel the best theme suited for one's taste is the one you build!
But if you want a conservative professional looking style look no further than the blinds and components for Aero Metal, Aero Executive and StealthOS.
Lastly, and this is only a matter of opinion, I think it's kinda easy to confuse BLING with functionality because it happens to look good too.
In my opinion bling is a massive overflow of sparks and shine that serve no other purpose than to steal my focus from whatever apps I'm working with. And it seems your suggestions lack alot of that. I've never been a fan of the aero look, it just doesn't feel right to me. The StealthOS theme is getting close, but it has a bit too much bulging elements, I like flat, but not ALL flat.
I bought the Zing! theme, it's the closest thing I've gotten to what I want. It's just that it has too much "lights", and is also a fair bit too dark for me to give it a full 5/5.
Reply #4 Friday, October 17, 2008 2:44 PM
I get you!
We're cool! And I totally appreciate you clearing that up for me, my bad!
Still wishing you the best of luck!
Reply #5 Friday, October 17, 2008 3:12 PM
Sorry you feel that way, I retract my previous statement
good luck
I think you got me wrong, it was meant as a GOOD thing... They DO lack sparks and shine that serve no other purpose than to steal my focus, which means they are good suggestions because of that. I then added the few reservations as to why they were not the perfect skins for me, in hope of getting something suggested that might be more apropriate for my own taste.
I didn't intend to cause offense. 
Reply #6 Friday, October 17, 2008 6:07 PM
Since you like Zing! try searching the WindowBlinds Gallery for other JJ Ying themes. Just type the name of the author in the search box. Some other top notch authors Mike Bryant, danilloOc(has some very nice subtle designs) and essorant. You can also use WindowBlinds to adjust coloration, saturation and gamma settings to possibly find that ideal that is just right for your tastes.
There are other numerous authors whom I like very much but, I thought you should start here.
IFlex by danilloOc is very easy on the eyes. He has some other great themes as well. aerial also comes to mind. WindowBlinds can be set to remove all color and turn these themes into all black and white if you don't like the high color buttons in aerial for example.
nuage by essorant also comes to mind, it also comes in a gray version and you can experiment with WindowBlinds adjustments with these as well.
My advice is find the theme that has the right style for you and then try tweaking that little bit of extra you're looking for with WindowBlinds settings. And, don't forget a theme can look very different and much more subtle simply by reducing saturation and adjusting the gamma settings.
Reply #7 Friday, October 17, 2008 8:16 PM
For a minimalist theme try Treetog's mini-os https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.aspx?skinid=4345&libid=1
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Reply #1 Friday, October 17, 2008 1:39 PM
Aero?
Classic?
Luna?