I've done something very similar to my desktop and it's actually pretty easy to do.
Start Orb Changer is used to customize, well, the start orb. It's free and very easy to use.You can download it here:
http://kishan-bagaria.deviantart.com/art/Windows-7-Start-Orb-Changer-v5-153001999To customize your taskbar icons, you can follow this process here:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/28847/how-to-customize-your-windows-7-taskbar-icons-for-any-app/. Very clear instructions.
Then all you need is to hunt down an icon set you like (my favorite part). You can find lots of good sets on DA.
I also always keep the taskbar itself set at max transparency.
Also, what my desktop looks like with the above changes.
