The issue with Firefox would need to be referred to them as they are intentionally painting that faded overlay on the titlebar when the window is maximized.  This is not the case on Windows 8.

Regarding the system icon, did you reboot after enabling it?

The font being used to render is Consolas which I always regard as the poster child for memory leaks or corrupted gdi handles.

As you can see the quick launch toolbar is taking on a grey background color.

And something is squishing the Running Windows Programs so it only has 1/2 of the vertical space.

Randomly the running applications will take on a width of 900px (such that only 2 fit per secreen) but still super crushed vertically.

Also, when WindowBlinds decides to not put itself in the taskbar (despite the option to be put there and despite it working for 4-5 reboots and then mysteriously not showing up today) there is no "good" way to unload it. You can't unload from the Window Blinds application.

For Firefox try Classic Theme Restorer.