For sure! Most of the sites I've seen are simply color variations on the default. My members are all very sick or dying people who don't have the time or energy to figure out overly nested or complex navigation. Legibility is a must, too, so reversed white-on-black is a big no-no. In terms of looks, what kicks me in the heart is warm, welcoming, airy, optimistic, 21st century modern but not clinical or gimmicky.
I need to be able to slot in my own banner image (sunrise over Earth from space, symbolizing hope). I've tricked out the vile phpBB default with a nice modern style by Arty and MrGaby, but it's still a pig in a fur coat because the underlying architecture is creaking and painful to work with. Thus the move to xenForo.
I may be talking to you soon, my friend...
Namaste,
David.