Personally, I have always prefered the darker colors. I like black the most, or a dark blue or purple. I also tend to like silver, not too bright. I really dislike the 'professional' style. If it's on websites other than my own then I don't mind, but I am not the serious, professional type and in my eyes it always looks to..ehm 'old' for my own website. I think a white background might be okay if you put a cool design on it.