1. Placesbar::Toolbar > Button (also, I notice the background there is different color then the base background. To fix this, color image to same color or change fillcolor in Placesbar::Toolbar > <default>)
2. I have not read Idas' tutorial, but I am guessing you added shadow="true" in the clientviewhost areas to get this effect? I have bad news for you
It uses "Fonts, Colors & System Metrics > Fonts & System Metrics > WINDOWTEXT:COLOR" which is shared amongst many things. Maybe you can relink if you trace it in shellstyle.dll or Shell32.dll
3. Some more bad news, maybe... it uses global property (ugh!) "Fonts, Colors & System Metrics > Fonts & System Metrics > WINDOW:COLOR". Maybe you can find a way to relink in shellstyle.dll or Shell32.dll. Good luck!