It is all really about who you want to attract to your site.
Bold, bright colours, with emoticons and animations attract a younger and generally less mature audience.
Where as the current more serious and limited colour scheme creates a sense of matureness and attracts an older and generally more mature audience.
In my opinion, this is why its best to have a layout like the current one, as a mature and respectful community is far better than an immature community.
Also I'm not saying ALL young people are immature, i'm just saying that most of them are.
