more designs and found faults

this was my next idea which I feel combined many of the strongest elements from previous attempts. The black and white option plus the full screen toggle and the option to hide the menu have all remained, I have used subtle colours and a very faint texture/pattern. Each page's fill colour will correspond to the colour of the menu tab so the end user is always aware of there exact location at any given time.
Again (although not included on this sample) my logo would be permanently visible on the page (top left in this example - as with others)

With this next design I adopted many of the features from the previous, for example the subtle texture and colour overlays. The left aligned menu with option to be hidden. The logo always visible and the full screen and black and white options in the top left. Again where appropriate the framing options would be visible.
With this design the two main differences you will notice are the extension of the canvas height as I began to think about placement of supportive text and how I could make this optional reading without having to sacrifice my image space. I figured the text could sit below and where appropriate some icon would appear bottom right, just above the fold to indicate there is text available.

The only problem in my mind with this is that the fold varies from screen to screen and the user may not confine to a regular window shape or size. In that sense I am now uncertain about this method of including supportive text especially as I want as much control over the way my site is viewed as possible. (back to the drawing board on that)

Another difference you may notice is that the menu bar isn't structured by a transparent box as it is in previous designs. I felt the rounded edges mimicked the playfulness of these pastel colours much better. I problem I then encountered was how to place my logo and actually make it look like it belonged rather than just simply being there.

I encountered a major problem when attempting to push these two designs forward, the problem being the sub menus. I tried many different methods but hated the way they expanded, to me it felt a lot more like a windows start menu and although I have never been concerned about this when viewing others sites when I began to apply it to mine I found I really detested it.
I now plan on rethinking my navigation system so that the sub menus do not have to travel across the screen (or down) but also keeping required clicks to a minimum before landing on an interesting visual page. I need to rethink a method of including supportive text where neccessary in such a way that doesn't hinder my ability to maximise the control i have over the way my site is viewed.

The good thing I have gained from so much experimentation, although it could be seen as wasted time, i would argue otherwise, as I have been able to eliminate elements which aren't working and select the features which are.
The elements I will definitely be keeping is the option to hide the menu, my logo will always be on screen. Supportive text will be option and NOT forced media.
navigation system will be simpler and more aesthetically pleasing.
The "see it framed" option - where appropriate.
I will be keeping a splash/ entry page which sets the tone of the site, builds suspense and excites.