It's a trend that was really ampd with Indexhibit and Indxr.
Even if you decide you want a very simple basic, minimal site, there should be no reason to structure your site like everyone else's. You can steer away from the left edge navigation and content right next to it, without adding gradients, shadows lalalala. Don't take my site as an example(is kinda shit) I had to put something up, but I have been brainstorming my actual site design for awhile. Keeping in mind ALA's realingner's article.