Since implementing this redesign, I’ve recieved a few emails from people asking where my old site design is. This is the design that got a mention on CSS Beauty and on CSS Vault.
For those interested in perusing its grassy goodness, you can find it here. I still like it quite a lot which is rare for me – usually after a week or so I tend to end up hating the stuff I’ve done – and I do wish I could’ve carried it on into this blog layout. The reason I didn’t was due to the structure of the page. Its a ‘bottom heavy’ design which tends to impact negatively on a workable blog interface. I did try a variety of things to make the textual content appear over the top of the grass image which worked with varying degrees of success but none worked well enough to make the content consistently legible, which is kind of the point of a blog. I’m still trying to find a way to recycle this design as its very striking and I do like it freshness and simplicity a lot. Until then, a pink blog semed a nice, unobtrusive, calming sequel!
Left Brain Right Brain 
I totally understand your reasons behind the redesign, Kev, and what another superb effort this site is. But that field-style site really stuck in my mind; there’s some really outstanding sites on that CSS Vault list and your designs are certainly worthy of being included there.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Thanks Mike, I appreciate the sentiment – I really wish I could see a way to carry on or reuse that design though!
I loved both your designs Kevin.
Keep up the great work!