I think this is pretty basic layout for blog. But you can use wordpress which is much better in terms of design and look. Also you have very nice plugins for doing lots of extra features in your site.
Like princensu1 stated, just use blog templates. If you don't want to though. The real fast quick fixer upper is, hold a little contest on this site and have someone create a nice graphic for the top where it says symisc and have someone create a simple background that runs down the whole site.
Its a pretty basic blog you should add nice layout with nice header and logo to your blog to make it more attractive and add more contents too
you should have chose a single niche and not a general blog. and use wordpress instead as its easier to seo.