I know that change is difficult.  I was going through the same thing!  My forums are now on a deep purple background!   You need to find a good CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) and insert it in the spot on your Options page.  Here is a link to the Community Center forum where they are discussing the matter.

http://market.renderosity.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=2641863

As for the smilies and avatars...I think we are stuck with them :a_sad:    Maybe someone will find a way to write a block in the CSS for them.

I hope that helps.

 

~Vivian

Fractals will always amaze me!