and he pointed me in the direction of two different applications. So I now give to you! 
The first I know most if not all of you must be familiar with, FreeBSD (freebsd.org). It is not something I know how to use and I don't know if you can even change folder backgrounds with it but it looks to be a nice piece of software.
The second, is not available just yet. This, however, has me very intrigued. The first image that pops up on their opening screen is of an Explorer Windows in Vista that is customized in a very sleek manor, including a nice solid dark gray background in the folder both in the Navigation Pane as well as the Main Window.
I am not sure just yet when it is to be release but I will surly keep my eye on it. I suggest you guys take a look too.
If you do, let me, and whoever else may read this know what you think of it by leaving some feedback here.
P.S. - A Little Bonus Software Surprise
This isn't actually as cool as it may sound!
...but, while I am throwing out cool, unreleased software titles to the forum, I figured I'd put this little link up as well. It is called, Favo. It is to be a Bookmark Organizer. I am not sure how many people will consider this to be completely unnecessary or if anyone already uses a 3rd party app for this but as I have mentioned before on this forum, I am very organized (sometimes too much! 
) so this has been a little utility that's had me excited for some time now. The downside? Just that, it's had me excited for some time now.... as in, they have advertising the program for a long time and still no release. Not even a beta. But hey, I only promised pictures, right? It's worth a gander, I say! Check out this link to see Favo (www.favo.com).
Seriously though, it does look like there are some (64 ish) people interested in it as least.