Layout critique, please?

[Gypsy Gold]

I'm not someone tremendously skilled with coding or layouts, this is actually the first one I've done. I was going for something very simple. Green, yes, but almost warm. Obviously I'll need to add text in the sideboxes, but do any of you see things that should be fixed? Anything that looks particularly good? Well thought out answers are appreciated - and if you'd like my opinions on a site, I'd be glad to offer them.

So, without further ado - click here.

[Smangii]

Looks pretty basic but decent for first one. Maybe vary up the green a little bit between the background and the color of the boards. Or throw another color in there, yellow? maybe a yellow-orange. Or even some brown.

Good luck.

[2774653]

Its too green for my taste i would suggest messing with shades of green more, maybe mix more yelllows into it give it a bright warmth feel. the layout design is nice with the option for users to quickly check the side for chat and news. you said this was your first so i will say this isnt bad, way better than my first design. if using a green i would do something like this below. notice i cut the banner size down im a fan of a impressive eye candy banner but i feel it shouldn't tower over the site it should just be part of the site couldnt find the text used or background so just made up something quick. honest green isn't really my color but keep up the good stuff