new web interface, different approach, input appreciated

This is a mockup of a site I've been working on for a client who does faux finishing of walls and furniture. I've gone through a number of versions, but this one seems to stick the best so far. It's a little bit "effects-ish" but I tried to limit that and make something practical that would also fit the style of the work the client does.

mockup

To briefly explain, the left box will fit the form of a gallery with thumbnails, and the right box will display the content. I plan on using iframes. Any suggestions?

hmm, the design is pretty good.. you can spot all the info you need easily but I don't really like the colors.. but that's just me..

Well I would make the bg a bit more simple...
And whole thing a bit bigger...
And I would change the colors too...
And the text "decorative..." I would put a bit more down to that line under it...
But otherwise it's pretty good

Thanks for the comments, guys. About the colors, it was very difficult picking colors for this, the client ended up liking the purple and green, and I like that part too. I wasn't sure about the maroon. Does one of the colors stick out or seem out of place? Would a different combination be better? Or do you have any idea what would go better with purple and green than the reddish one I have now? I was having a very hard time with that part.

I didn't want to make it bigger because I want it to fit at 800 x 600, and it should be just right now. It does seem rather confined but I don't know what else to do about that except go to a plain bg that scrolls down forever. This way, at least the page won't move, just the iframes.

I will also move down that line of text, it does look a little high to be comfortable.

Just so you know, everything around it is going to be black (yes, that dreaded background color) but it really seems to make it stand out. Although I could possibly try a neutral tone like a cream or tan.

Any other advice or ideas? I really appreciate the input. Thanks Censured and Meeeeeeeeeee!.

cablemotion

It's hard to say about the colors when it's just like that...
It's easyer to say about the colors when you have the background there...
And about the iframes "boxes", you could try to make them more like "one with the background"...
There are too sharp edges now...

Yea that's wierd.. I'm in 800x600 at the moment and I thought it was really small too, then I read that you made it FOR 800x600 and looked again and it was bigger than I remembered it.. lol.. I would adjust the bevel/emboss, I don't like it so much, it looks really sharp and pointy, and it's a little jaggy. If that's the look you were going for, then more power to you :P Overall I would say pretty sexy.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I have taken into account some of the suggestions and made a few changes. I think it's improved, although the changes are minor. Here is the new version:

v.11-6-v2

I included the black background this time so you can get a feel for how it looks. I also did a version with gray:
gray
I personally feel the gray is kinda dead.

So, opinions? anything else to suggest about it?

Thanks,

cablemotion

I like the gray better
and then put a white border around it and it would look pretty sweet
I like more brighter layouts than the dark ones...
I think it just makes them more positive, and I think a site about furniture should be pretty bright...
...ahmm...and the text is still a bit too high...

hmm, you have a point there. But I just don't like the gray. I think it needs to be brighter. I've been playing around with light hued tones as well and found a pea-ish light tone which I might try.

quick question: How to get rid of the jaggies on the corners? I've tried smoothing, contracting, feathering, and they still look crappy. How can I make them a nice smooth arc? That would be a great help. Thanks!

okay, actually I worked on it a bit more and was able to improve the jagginess, although it isn't perfect.

I've also tried a gray back with a white border, and also with a black border. For some reason I'm always leaning towards black, lol, but I think it grounds the image as a nice base. White does look nice too, but doesn't give it as much support color wise.

new gray

That's the best I can do for the jaggies.

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