diff --git a/QtPyLoT.py b/QtPyLoT.py
index 6a75b495..cf72c1cd 100755
--- a/QtPyLoT.py
+++ b/QtPyLoT.py
@@ -74,7 +74,8 @@ from pylot.core.util.connection import checkurl
 from pylot.core.util.dataprocessing import read_metadata, restitute_data
 from pylot.core.util.utils import fnConstructor, getLogin, \
     full_range, readFilterInformation, trim_station_components, check4gaps, make_pen, pick_color_plt, \
-    pick_linestyle_plt, remove_underscores, check4doubled, identifyPhaseID, excludeQualityClasses, has_spe, check4rotated
+    pick_linestyle_plt, remove_underscores, check4doubled, identifyPhaseID, excludeQualityClasses, has_spe, \
+    check4rotated, transform_colors_mpl, transform_colors_mpl_str
 from pylot.core.util.event import Event
 from pylot.core.io.location import create_creation_info, create_event
 from pylot.core.util.widgets import FilterOptionsDialog, NewEventDlg, \
@@ -86,6 +87,8 @@ from pylot.core.util.structure import DATASTRUCTURE
 from pylot.core.util.thread import Thread, Worker
 from pylot.core.util.version import get_git_version as _getVersionString
 
+from pylot.styles import style_settings
+
 if sys.version_info.major == 3:
     import icons_rc_3 as icons_rc
 elif sys.version_info.major == 2:
@@ -140,12 +143,6 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         # default factor for dataplot e.g. enabling/disabling scrollarea
         self.height_factor = 12
 
-        # default colors for ref/test event
-        self._colors = {
-            'ref': QtGui.QColor(200, 210, 230, 255),
-            'test': QtGui.QColor(200, 230, 200, 255)
-        }
-
         # UI has to be set up before(!) children widgets are about to show up
         self.createAction = createAction
         # read settings
@@ -553,6 +550,11 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.addActions(toolbars["autoPyLoT"], pickActions)
         self.addActions(toolbars["LocationTools"], locationToolActions)
 
+        # init pyqtgraph
+        self.pg = pg
+
+        # init style
+        self.set_style('dark')
 
         # add event combo box and ref/test buttons
         self.eventBox = self.createEventBox()
@@ -577,8 +579,6 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         self.wf_scroll_area = QtGui.QScrollArea(self)
 
         # create central matplotlib figure canvas widget
-        self.pg = pg
-        #self.set_style('dark')
         self.init_wfWidget()
 
         # init main widgets for main tabs
@@ -647,8 +647,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
                                           'event as test picks for autopicker testing.')
         self.ref_event_button.setCheckable(True)
         self.test_event_button.setCheckable(True)
-        self.set_button_color(self.ref_event_button, self._colors['ref'])
-        self.set_button_color(self.test_event_button, self._colors['test'])
+        self.set_button_border_color(self.ref_event_button, self._style['ref']['rgba'])
+        self.set_button_border_color(self.test_event_button, self._style['test']['rgba'])
         self.ref_event_button.clicked.connect(self.toggleRef)
         self.test_event_button.clicked.connect(self.toggleTest)
         self.ref_event_button.setEnabled(False)
@@ -669,43 +669,74 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
     def init_styles(self):
         self._styles = {}
         styles = ['default', 'dark']
+        stylecolors = style_settings.stylecolors
         for style in styles:
-            self._styles[style] = {}
+            if style in stylecolors.keys():
+                self._styles[style] = stylecolors[style]
 
-        self._styles['default']['background'] = 'w'
-        self._styles['default']['foreground'] = 'k'
-        self._styles['default']['stylesheet'] = self.styleSheet()
+        self._phasecolors = style_settings.phasecolors
 
-        self._styles['dark']['background'] = QtGui.QColor(50, 50, 65, 255)
-        self._styles['dark']['foreground'] = 'w'
-        # TODO: improve this
-        infile = open('./styles/dark.qss', 'r')
-        stylesheet = infile.read()
-        infile.close()
-        self._styles['dark']['stylesheet'] = stylesheet
+        for style, stylecolors in self._styles.items():
+            stylesheet = stylecolors['stylesheet']['filename']
+            if stylesheet:
+                stylesheet_file = open(stylesheet, 'r')
+                stylesheet = stylesheet_file.read()
+                stylesheet_file.close()
+            else:
+                stylesheet = self.styleSheet()
 
-    def set_style(self, stylename):
+            bg_color = stylecolors['background']['rgba']
+            line_color = stylecolors['linecolor']['rgba']
+            multcursor_color = stylecolors['multicursor']['rgba']
+
+            # transform to 0-1 values for mpl and update dict
+            stylecolors['background']['rgba_mpl'] = transform_colors_mpl(bg_color)
+            stylecolors['linecolor']['rgba_mpl'] = transform_colors_mpl(line_color)
+            multcursor_color = stylecolors['multicursor']['rgba_mpl'] = transform_colors_mpl(multcursor_color)
+
+            stylecolors['stylesheet'] = stylesheet
+
+    def set_style(self, stylename='default'):
         if not stylename in self._styles:
             qmb = QMessageBox.warning(self, 'Could not find style',
-                                      'Could not find style with name {}.'.format(stylename))
+                                      'Could not find style with name {}. Using default.'.format(stylename))
+            self.set_style()
             return
-        self._style = stylename
+
         style = self._styles[stylename]
+        self._style = style
         self.setStyleSheet(style['stylesheet'])
 
-        bg_colors = [60, 60, 70]
-        bg_colors = [color/255. for color in bg_colors]
+        # colors for ref/test event
+        self._ref_test_colors = {
+            'ref': QtGui.QColor(*style['ref']['rgba']),
+            'test': QtGui.QColor(*style['test']['rgba']),
+        }
 
-        cycler = matplotlib.cycler(color='wbgrcmy')
-        matplotlib.rcParams['axes.prop_cycle'] = cycler
-        matplotlib.rcParams['axes.facecolor'] = '({}, {}, {})'.format(*bg_colors)
-        matplotlib.rcParams['figure.facecolor'] = '({}, {}, {})'.format(*bg_colors)
+        # plot colors
+        bg_color = style['background']['rgba']
+        bg_color_mpl_na = transform_colors_mpl_str(bg_color, no_alpha=True)
+        line_color = style['linecolor']['rgba']
+        line_color_mpl_na = transform_colors_mpl_str(line_color, no_alpha=True)
 
+        for param in matplotlib.rcParams:
+            if 'color' in param and matplotlib.rcParams[param] in ['k', 'black']:
+                matplotlib.rcParams[param] = line_color_mpl_na
+
+        matplotlib.rc('axes',
+                      edgecolor=line_color_mpl_na,
+                      facecolor=bg_color_mpl_na,
+                      labelcolor=line_color_mpl_na)
+        matplotlib.rc('xtick',
+                      color=line_color_mpl_na)
+        matplotlib.rc('ytick',
+                      color=line_color_mpl_na)
+        matplotlib.rc('figure',
+                      facecolor=bg_color_mpl_na)
 
         if self.pg:
-            pg.setConfigOption('background', style['background'])
-            pg.setConfigOption('foreground', style['foreground'])
-            pg.setConfigOptions(antialias=True)
+            pg.setConfigOption('background', bg_color)
+            pg.setConfigOption('foreground', line_color)
 
     @property
     def metadata(self):
@@ -846,20 +877,27 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
     def add_recentfile(self, event):
         self.recentfiles.insert(0, event)
 
-    def set_button_color(self, button, color=None):
+    def set_button_border_color(self, button, color=None):
         '''
         Set background color of a button.
         button: type = QtGui.QAbstractButton
         color: type = QtGui.QColor or type = str (RGBA)
         '''
         if type(color) == QtGui.QColor:
+            button.setStyleSheet({'QPushButton{background-color:transparent}'})
             palette = button.palette()
             role = button.backgroundRole()
             palette.setColor(role, color)
             button.setPalette(palette)
             button.setAutoFillBackground(True)
-        elif type(color) == str or not color:
-            button.setStyleSheet("background-color: {}".format(color))
+        elif type(color) == str:
+            button.setStyleSheet('QPushButton{border-color: %s}'
+                                 'QPushButton:checked{background-color: rgba%s}'% (color, color))
+        elif type(color) == tuple:
+            button.setStyleSheet('QPushButton{border-color: rgba%s}'
+                                 'QPushButton:checked{background-color: rgba%s}' % (str(color), str(color)))
+        elif not color:
+            button.setStyleSheet(self.orig_parent._style['stylesheet'])
 
     def getWFFnames(self):
         try:
@@ -1135,9 +1173,9 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             item_ref = QtGui.QStandardItem()  # str(event_ref))
             item_test = QtGui.QStandardItem()  # str(event_test))
             if event_ref:
-                item_ref.setBackground(self._colors['ref'])
+                item_ref.setBackground(self._ref_test_colors['ref'])
             if event_test:
-                item_test.setBackground(self._colors['test'])
+                item_test.setBackground(self._ref_test_colors['test'])
             item_notes = QtGui.QStandardItem(event.notes)
 
             openIcon = self.style().standardIcon(QStyle.SP_DirOpenIcon)
@@ -1959,7 +1997,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
     def init_canvas_dict(self):
         self.canvas_dict = {}
         for key in self.fig_keys:
-            self.canvas_dict[key] = PylotCanvas(self.fig_dict[key])
+            self.canvas_dict[key] = PylotCanvas(self.fig_dict[key], parent=self)
 
     def init_fig_dict_wadatijack(self, eventIDs):
         self.fig_dict_wadatijack = {}
@@ -1978,7 +2016,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
         for eventID in self.fig_dict_wadatijack.keys():
             self.canvas_dict_wadatijack[eventID] = {}
             for key in self.fig_keys_wadatijack:
-                self.canvas_dict_wadatijack[eventID][key] = PylotCanvas(self.fig_dict_wadatijack[eventID][key])
+                self.canvas_dict_wadatijack[eventID][key] = PylotCanvas(self.fig_dict_wadatijack[eventID][key],
+                                                                        parent=self)
 
     def tune_autopicker(self):
         '''
@@ -2597,8 +2636,8 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
             item_notes = QtGui.QTableWidgetItem()
 
             # manipulate items
-            item_ref.setBackground(self._colors['ref'])
-            item_test.setBackground(self._colors['test'])
+            item_ref.setBackground(self._ref_test_colors['ref'])
+            item_test.setBackground(self._ref_test_colors['test'])
             item_path.setText(event.path)
             if hasattr(event, 'origins'):
                 if event.origins:
@@ -2909,7 +2948,7 @@ class MainWindow(QMainWindow):
 
     def setParameter(self, show=True):
         if not self.paraBox:
-            self.paraBox = PylotParaBox(self._inputs)
+            self.paraBox = PylotParaBox(self._inputs, parent=self, windowflag=1)
             self.paraBox.accepted.connect(self._setDirty)
             self.paraBox.accepted.connect(self.filterOptionsFromParameter)
         if show:
diff --git a/pylot/core/util/utils.py b/pylot/core/util/utils.py
index 28dad3bb..d0d7e8f5 100644
--- a/pylot/core/util/utils.py
+++ b/pylot/core/util/utils.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from obspy.signal.rotate import rotate2zne
 from obspy.io.xseed.utils import SEEDParserException
 
 from pylot.core.io.inputs import PylotParameter
+from pylot.styles import style_settings
 
 from scipy.interpolate import splrep, splev
 from PySide import QtCore, QtGui
@@ -577,36 +578,22 @@ def modify_rgba(rgba, modifier, intensity):
 
 
 def base_phase_colors(picktype, phase):
-    phases = {
-        'manual':
-            {
-            'P':
-                {
-                'rgba': (0, 0, 255, 255),
-                'modifier': 'g'
-                },
-            'S':
-                {
-                'rgba': (255, 0, 0, 255),
-                'modifier': 'b'
-                }
-            },
-        'auto':
-            {
-            'P':
-                {
-                'rgba': (140, 0, 255, 255),
-                'modifier': 'g'
-                },
-            'S':
-                {
-                'rgba': (255, 140, 0, 255),
-                'modifier': 'b'
-                }
-            }
-    }
-    return phases[picktype][phase]
+    phasecolors = style_settings.phasecolors
+    return phasecolors[picktype][phase]
 
+def transform_colors_mpl_str(colors, no_alpha=False):
+    colors = list(colors)
+    colors_mpl = tuple([color / 255. for color in colors])
+    if no_alpha:
+        colors_mpl = '({}, {}, {})'.format(*colors_mpl)
+    else:
+        colors_mpl = '({}, {}, {}, {})'.format(*colors_mpl)
+    return colors_mpl
+
+def transform_colors_mpl(colors):
+    colors = list(colors)
+    colors_mpl = tuple([color / 255. for color in colors])
+    return colors_mpl
 
 def remove_underscores(data):
     """
diff --git a/pylot/core/util/widgets.py b/pylot/core/util/widgets.py
index 222e1f5a..e54fc655 100644
--- a/pylot/core/util/widgets.py
+++ b/pylot/core/util/widgets.py
@@ -442,12 +442,13 @@ class WaveformWidgetPG(QtGui.QWidget):
         self.plotWidget.hideAxis('bottom')
         self.plotWidget.hideAxis('left')
         self.wfstart, self.wfend = 0, 0
+        self.pen = self.pg.mkPen(self.parent()._style['multicursor']['rgba'])
         self.reinitMoveProxy()
         self._proxy = self.pg.SignalProxy(self.plotWidget.scene().sigMouseMoved, rateLimit=60, slot=self.mouseMoved)
 
     def reinitMoveProxy(self):
-        self.vLine = self.pg.InfiniteLine(angle=90, movable=False)
-        self.hLine = self.pg.InfiniteLine(angle=0, movable=False)
+        self.vLine = self.pg.InfiniteLine(angle=90, movable=False, pen=self.pen)
+        self.hLine = self.pg.InfiniteLine(angle=0, movable=False, pen=self.pen)
         self.plotWidget.addItem(self.vLine, ignoreBounds=True)
         self.plotWidget.addItem(self.hLine, ignoreBounds=True)
 
@@ -594,7 +595,6 @@ class WaveformWidgetPG(QtGui.QWidget):
 class PylotCanvas(FigureCanvas):
     def __init__(self, figure=None, parent=None, connect_events=True, multicursor=False,
                  panZoomX=True, panZoomY=True):
-        self._parent = parent
         if not figure:
             figure = Figure()
             # create axes
@@ -602,17 +602,18 @@ class PylotCanvas(FigureCanvas):
 
         self.axes = figure.axes
         self.figure = figure
-        self.figure.set_facecolor((1., 1., 1.))
+        self.figure.set_facecolor(parent._style['background']['rgba_mpl'])
         # attribute plotdict is a dictionary connecting position and a name
         self.plotdict = dict()
         # initialize super class
         super(PylotCanvas, self).__init__(self.figure)
+        self.setParent(parent)
 
         if multicursor:
             # add a cursor for station selection
             self.multiCursor = MultiCursor(self.figure.canvas, self.axes,
                                            horizOn=True, useblit=True,
-                                           color='m', lw=1)
+                                           color=parent._style['multicursor']['rgba_mpl'], lw=1)
 
         # initialize panning attributes
         self.press = None
@@ -868,12 +869,6 @@ class PylotCanvas(FigureCanvas):
     def clearPlotDict(self):
         self.plotdict = dict()
 
-    def getParent(self):
-        return self._parent
-
-    def setParent(self, parent):
-        self._parent = parent
-
     def plotWFData(self, wfdata, title=None, zoomx=None, zoomy=None,
                    noiselevel=None, scaleddata=False, mapping=True,
                    component='*', nth_sample=1, iniPick=None, verbosity=0):
@@ -906,6 +901,9 @@ class PylotCanvas(FigureCanvas):
         nsc.sort()
         nsc.reverse()
 
+        style = self.parent()._style
+        linecolor = style['linecolor']['rgba_mpl']
+
         for n, (network, station, channel) in enumerate(nsc):
             st = st_select.select(network=network, station=station, channel=channel)
             trace = st[0]
@@ -926,11 +924,13 @@ class PylotCanvas(FigureCanvas):
                     trace.normalize(np.max(np.abs(trace.data)) * 2)
                 times = [time for index, time in enumerate(time_ax) if not index % nth_sample]
                 data = [datum + n for index, datum in enumerate(trace.data) if not index % nth_sample]
-                ax.plot(times, data, linewidth=0.7)
+                ax.plot(times, data, color=linecolor, linewidth=0.7)
                 if noiselevel is not None:
                     for level in noiselevel:
                         ax.plot([time_ax[0], time_ax[-1]],
-                                            [level, level], '--k')
+                                            [level, level],
+                                color = linecolor,
+                                linestyle = 'dashed')
                 self.setPlotDict(n, (station, channel, network))
         if iniPick:
             ax.vlines(iniPick, ax.get_ylim()[0], ax.get_ylim()[1],
@@ -1093,7 +1093,8 @@ class PickDlg(QDialog):
     def __init__(self, parent=None, data=None, station=None, network=None, picks=None,
                  autopicks=None, rotate=False, parameter=None, embedded=False, metadata=None,
                  event=None, filteroptions=None, model='iasp91'):
-        super(PickDlg, self).__init__(parent)
+        super(PickDlg, self).__init__(parent, 1)
+        self.orig_parent = parent
 
         # initialize attributes
         self.parameter = parameter
@@ -1113,6 +1114,7 @@ class PickDlg(QDialog):
         pylot_user = getpass.getuser()
         self._user = settings.value('user/Login', pylot_user)
         self._dirty = False
+        self._style = parent._style
         if picks:
             self.picks = copy.deepcopy(picks)
             self._init_picks = picks
@@ -1508,36 +1510,46 @@ class PickDlg(QDialog):
             self.leave_picking_mode()
 
     def init_p_pick(self):
-        self.set_button_color(self.p_button, 'yellow')
+        self.set_button_border_color(self.p_button, 'yellow')
         self.activatePicking()
         self.currentPhase = str(self.p_button.text())
 
     def init_s_pick(self):
-        self.set_button_color(self.s_button, 'yellow')
+        self.set_button_border_color(self.s_button, 'yellow')
         self.activatePicking()
         self.currentPhase = str(self.s_button.text())
 
     def getPhaseID(self, phase):
         return identifyPhaseID(phase)
 
-    def set_button_color(self, button, color=None):
+    def set_button_border_color(self, button, color=None):
+        '''
+        Set background color of a button.
+        button: type = QtGui.QAbstractButton
+        color: type = QtGui.QColor or type = str (RGBA)
+        '''
         if type(color) == QtGui.QColor:
+            button.setStyleSheet({'QPushButton{background-color:transparent}'})
             palette = button.palette()
             role = button.backgroundRole()
             palette.setColor(role, color)
             button.setPalette(palette)
             button.setAutoFillBackground(True)
-        elif type(color) == str or not color:
-            button.setStyleSheet("background-color: {}".format(color))
+        elif type(color) == str:
+            button.setStyleSheet('QPushButton{border-color: %s}' % color)
+        elif type(color) == tuple:
+            button.setStyleSheet('QPushButton{border-color: rgba%s}' % str(color))
+        elif not color:
+            button.setStyleSheet(self.orig_parent._style['stylesheet'])
 
     def reset_p_button(self):
-        self.set_button_color(self.p_button)
+        self.set_button_border_color(self.p_button)
         self.p_button.setEnabled(True)
         self.p_button.setChecked(False)
         self.p_button.setText('P')
 
     def reset_s_button(self):
-        self.set_button_color(self.s_button)
+        self.set_button_border_color(self.s_button)
         self.s_button.setEnabled(True)
         self.s_button.setChecked(False)
         self.s_button.setText('S')
@@ -1676,10 +1688,10 @@ class PickDlg(QDialog):
         self.cidpress = self.multicompfig.connectPressEvent(self.setPick)
 
         if self.getPhaseID(self.currentPhase) == 'P':
-            self.set_button_color(self.p_button, 'green')
+            self.set_button_border_color(self.p_button, 'green')
             self.setIniPickP(gui_event, wfdata, trace_number)
         elif self.getPhaseID(self.currentPhase) == 'S':
-            self.set_button_color(self.s_button, 'green')
+            self.set_button_border_color(self.s_button, 'green')
             self.setIniPickS(gui_event, wfdata)
 
         self.zoomAction.setEnabled(False)
@@ -2421,7 +2433,6 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
 
     def __init__(self, parent):
         QtGui.QWidget.__init__(self, parent, 1)
-        self.parent = parent
         self.setParent(parent)
         self.setWindowTitle('PyLoT - Tune Autopicker')
         self.parameter = parent._inputs
@@ -2439,7 +2450,7 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
         self.set_stretch()
         self.resize(1280, 720)
         if hasattr(parent, 'metadata'):
-            self.metadata = self.parent.metadata
+            self.metadata = self.parent().metadata
         else:
             self.metadata = None
             # self.setWindowModality(QtCore.Qt.WindowModality.ApplicationModal)
@@ -2456,7 +2467,7 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
         self.setLayout(self.main_layout)
 
     def init_eventlist(self):
-        self.eventBox = self.parent.createEventBox()
+        self.eventBox = self.parent().createEventBox()
         self.eventBox.setMaxVisibleItems(20)
         self.fill_eventbox()
         self.trace_layout.addWidget(self.eventBox)
@@ -2474,13 +2485,13 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
         self.stationBox.activated.connect(self.fill_tabs)
 
     def fill_stationbox(self):
-        fnames = self.parent.getWFFnames_from_eventbox(eventbox=self.eventBox)
+        fnames = self.parent().getWFFnames_from_eventbox(eventbox=self.eventBox)
         self.data.setWFData(fnames)
         wfdat = self.data.getWFData()  # all available streams
         # trim station components to same start value
         trim_station_components(wfdat, trim_start=True, trim_end=False)
         # rotate misaligned stations to ZNE
-        wfdat = check4rotated(wfdat, self.parent.metadata)
+        wfdat = check4rotated(wfdat, self.parent().metadata)
         self.stationBox.clear()
         stations = []
         for trace in self.data.getWFData():
@@ -2494,7 +2505,7 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
         for network, station in stations:
             item = QtGui.QStandardItem(network + '.' + station)
             if station in self.get_current_event().pylot_picks:
-                item.setBackground(self.parent._colors['ref'])
+                item.setBackground(self.parent()._colors['ref'])
             model.appendRow(item)
 
     def init_figure_tabs(self):
@@ -2509,7 +2520,7 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
         self.stb_names = ['aicARHfig', 'refSpick', 'el_S1pick', 'el_S2pick']
 
     def add_parameters(self):
-        self.paraBox = PylotParaBox(self.parameter)
+        self.paraBox = PylotParaBox(self.parameter, parent=self, windowflag=0)
         self.paraBox.set_tune_mode(True)
         self.update_eventID()
         self.parameter_layout.addWidget(self.paraBox)
@@ -2535,7 +2546,7 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
 
     def get_current_event(self):
         path = self.eventBox.currentText()
-        return self.parent.project.getEventFromPath(path)
+        return self.parent().project.getEventFromPath(path)
 
     def get_current_event_name(self):
         return self.eventBox.currentText().split('/')[-1]
@@ -2570,10 +2581,10 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
             return
         station = self.get_current_station()
         data = self.data.getWFData()
-        metadata = self.parent.metadata
+        metadata = self.parent().metadata
         event = self.get_current_event()
-        filteroptions = self.parent.filteroptions
-        pickDlg = PickDlg(self, data=data.select(station=station),
+        filteroptions = self.parent().filteroptions
+        pickDlg = PickDlg(self.parent(), data=data.select(station=station),
                           station=station, parameter=self.parameter,
                           picks=self.get_current_event_picks(station),
                           autopicks=self.get_current_event_autopicks(station),
@@ -2582,8 +2593,8 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
         pickDlg.update_picks.connect(self.picks_from_pickdlg)
         pickDlg.update_picks.connect(self.fill_eventbox)
         pickDlg.update_picks.connect(self.fill_stationbox)
-        pickDlg.update_picks.connect(lambda: self.parent.setDirty(True))
-        pickDlg.update_picks.connect(self.parent.enableSaveEventAction)
+        pickDlg.update_picks.connect(lambda: self.parent().setDirty(True))
+        pickDlg.update_picks.connect(self.parent().enableSaveEventAction)
         self.pickDlg = QtGui.QWidget()
         hl = QtGui.QHBoxLayout()
         self.pickDlg.setLayout(hl)
@@ -2591,15 +2602,15 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
 
     def picks_from_pickdlg(self, picks=None):
         station = self.get_current_station()
-        replot = self.parent.addPicks(station, picks)
+        replot = self.parent().addPicks(station, picks)
         self.get_current_event().setPick(station, picks)
-        if self.get_current_event() == self.parent.get_current_event():
+        if self.get_current_event() == self.parent().get_current_event():
             if replot:
-                self.parent.plotWaveformDataThread()
-                self.parent.drawPicks()
+                self.parent().plotWaveformDataThread()
+                self.parent().drawPicks()
             else:
-                self.parent.drawPicks(station)
-            self.parent.draw()
+                self.parent().drawPicks(station)
+            self.parent().draw()
 
     def plot_manual_picks_to_figs(self):
         picks = self.get_current_event_picks(self.get_current_station())
@@ -2624,13 +2635,13 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
             ('el_S1pick', 0),
             ('el_S2pick', 0)]
         for p_ax in p_axes:
-            axes = self.parent.fig_dict[p_ax[0]].axes
+            axes = self.parent().fig_dict[p_ax[0]].axes
             if not axes:
                 continue
             ax = axes[p_ax[1]]
             self.plot_manual_Ppick_to_ax(ax, (picks['P']['mpp'] - starttime))
         for s_ax in s_axes:
-            axes = self.parent.fig_dict[s_ax[0]].axes
+            axes = self.parent().fig_dict[s_ax[0]].axes
             if not axes:
                 continue
             ax = axes[s_ax[1]]
@@ -2660,7 +2671,7 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
 
     def fill_tabs(self, event=None, picked=False):
         self.clear_all()
-        canvas_dict = self.parent.canvas_dict
+        canvas_dict = self.parent().canvas_dict
         self.gen_pick_dlg()
         self.overview = self.gen_tab_widget('Overview', canvas_dict['mainFig'])
         id0 = self.figure_tabs.insertTab(0, self.pickDlg, 'Traces Plot')
@@ -2706,12 +2717,12 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
         self.init_tab_names()
 
     def fill_eventbox(self):
-        project = self.parent.project
+        project = self.parent().project
         if not project:
             return
         # update own list
-        self.parent.fill_eventbox(eventBox=self.eventBox, select_events='ref')
-        index_start = self.parent.eventBox.currentIndex()
+        self.parent().fill_eventbox(eventBox=self.eventBox, select_events='ref')
+        index_start = self.parent().eventBox.currentIndex()
         index = index_start
         if index == -1:
             index += 1
@@ -2730,7 +2741,7 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
         if not index == index_start:
             self.eventBox.activated.emit(index)
         # update parent
-        self.parent.fill_eventbox()
+        self.parent().fill_eventbox()
 
     def update_eventID(self):
         self.paraBox.boxes['eventID'].setText(
@@ -2793,8 +2804,8 @@ class TuneAutopicker(QWidget):
 
     def params_from_gui(self):
         parameters = self.paraBox.params_from_gui()
-        if self.parent:
-            self.parent._inputs = parameters
+        if self.parent():
+            self.parent()._inputs = parameters
         return parameters
 
     def set_stretch(self):
@@ -2834,7 +2845,7 @@ class PylotParaBox(QtGui.QWidget):
     accepted = QtCore.Signal(str)
     rejected = QtCore.Signal(str)
 
-    def __init__(self, parameter, parent=None):
+    def __init__(self, parameter, parent=None, windowflag=1):
         '''
         Generate Widget containing parameters for PyLoT.
 
@@ -2842,7 +2853,7 @@ class PylotParaBox(QtGui.QWidget):
         :type: PylotParameter (object)
 
         '''
-        QtGui.QWidget.__init__(self, parent)
+        QtGui.QWidget.__init__(self, parent, windowflag)
         self.parameter = parameter
         self.tabs = QtGui.QTabWidget()
         self.layout = QtGui.QVBoxLayout()
diff --git a/pylot/styles/dark.qss b/pylot/styles/dark.qss
index 743fb076..33ec7f74 100644
--- a/pylot/styles/dark.qss
+++ b/pylot/styles/dark.qss
@@ -8,9 +8,22 @@ background-color: qlineargradient(spread:reflect, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:0.5, stop
 color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
 }
 
+QWidget:checked{
+background-color: transparent;
+border-color: rgba(100, 100, 120, 255);
+border-width: 2px;
+border-style:inset;
+}
+
+FigureCanvasQtAgg{
+background-color: rgba(50, 50, 60, 255);
+color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
+}
+
 QComboBox{
 background-color: rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
 color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
+min-height: 1.5em;
 }
 
 QComboBox *{
@@ -35,9 +48,9 @@ color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
 padding:0;
 }
 
-QMenu::item:selected{
+*::item:selected{
 color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-background-color: rgba(200, 210, 230, 255);
+background-color: rgba(0, 150, 190, 255);
 }
 
 QToolBar{
@@ -51,15 +64,6 @@ QToolBar *{
 background-color: qlineargradient(spread:reflect, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:0.5, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
 }
 
-QFileDialog QLabel{
-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 255);
-}
-
-QFileDialog QPushButton{
-background-color: rgba(210, 210, 210, 255);
-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 255);
-}
-
 QMessageBox{
 background-color: rgba(60, 60, 70, 255);
 color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
@@ -103,16 +107,26 @@ color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
 }
 
 QPushButton{
-background-color:rgba(70, 70, 80, 255);
+background-color:qlineargradient(spread:reflect, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:0.5, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
 color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
+border-color: (60, 60, 70, 255);
+border-style: outset;
+border-width: 2px;
+border-color: rgba(50, 50, 60, 255);
+min-width: 6em;
+padding: 5px;
 }
 
 QPushButton:pressed{
 background-color: rgba(70, 70, 80, 255);
 }
 
+*:disabled{
+color:rgba(100, 100, 120, 255);
+}
+
 QTabBar{
-background-color:transparent
+background-color:transparent;
 }
 
 QTabBar::tab{
@@ -197,13 +211,12 @@ border-radius:0;
 text-align:center;
 color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
 background-color:rgba(60,60,80,255);
-border: 2px solid #e3a21a;
-border-radius:7px;
-	font: 75 12pt "Open Sans";
-
+border: 2px solid;
+border-color:rgba(0, 150, 190, 255);
+border-radius:5px;
 }
 
 QProgressBar::chunk{
-background-color:rgba(60, 60, 70, 255);
+background-color:rgba(0, 150, 190, 255);
 width:10px;
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pylot/styles/settings.py b/pylot/styles/settings.py
deleted file mode 100644
index c05164ff..00000000
--- a/pylot/styles/settings.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,44 +0,0 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-
-# Set base phase colors for manual and automatic picks
-# together with a modifier (r, g, or b) used to alternate
-# the base color
-phasecolors = {
-    'manual': {
-        'P':{
-            'rgba': (0, 0, 255, 255),
-            'modifier': 'g'},
-        'S':{
-            'rgba': (255, 0, 0, 255),
-            'modifier': 'b'}
-    },
-    'auto':{
-        'P':{
-            'rgba': (140, 0, 255, 255),
-            'modifier': 'g'},
-        'S':{
-            'rgba': (255, 140, 0, 255),
-            'modifier': 'b'}
-    }
-}
-
-# Set plot colors and stylesheet for each style
-stylecolors = {
-    'default':{
-        'wf':{
-            'rgba': (0, 0, 0, 255)},
-        'background': {
-            'rgba': (255, 255, 255, 255)},
-        'stylesheet': {
-            'filename': None}
-    },
-    'dark':{
-        'wf':{
-            'rgba': (255, 255, 255, 255)},
-        'background':{
-            'rgba': (50, 50, 60, 255)},
-        'stylesheet': {
-            'filename': 'styles/dark.qss'}
-    }
-}
-
diff --git a/pylot/styles/style_settings.py b/pylot/styles/style_settings.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1a02bb85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pylot/styles/style_settings.py
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+
+# Set base phase colors for manual and automatic picks
+# together with a modifier (r, g, or b) used to alternate
+# the base color
+phasecolors = {
+    'manual': {
+        'P':{
+            'rgba': (0, 0, 255, 255),
+            'modifier': 'g'},
+        'S':{
+            'rgba': (255, 0, 0, 255),
+            'modifier': 'b'}
+    },
+    'auto':{
+        'P':{
+            'rgba': (140, 0, 255, 255),
+            'modifier': 'g'},
+        'S':{
+            'rgba': (255, 140, 0, 255),
+            'modifier': 'b'}
+    }
+}
+
+# Set plot colors and stylesheet for each style
+stylecolors = {
+    'default':{
+        'linecolor':{
+            'rgba': (0, 0, 0, 255)},
+        'background': {
+            'rgba': (255, 255, 255, 255)},
+        'multicursor': {
+            'rgba': (255, 190, 0, 255)},
+        'ref': {
+            'rgba': (200, 210, 230, 255)},
+        'test': {
+            'rgba': (200, 230, 200, 255)},
+        'stylesheet': {
+            'filename': None}
+    },
+    'dark': {
+        'linecolor': {
+            'rgba': (255, 255, 255, 255)},
+        'background': {
+            'rgba': (50, 50, 60, 255)},
+        'multicursor': {
+            'rgba': (0, 150, 190, 255)},
+        'ref': {
+            'rgba': (80, 110, 170, 255)},
+        'test': {
+            'rgba': (130, 190, 100, 255)},
+        'stylesheet': {
+            'filename': 'pylot/styles/dark.qss'}
+    },
+    'bright': {
+        'linecolor': {
+            'rgba': (0, 0, 0, 255)},
+        'background': {
+            'rgba': (255, 255, 255, 255)},
+        'multicursor': {
+            'rgba': (100, 100, 190, 255)},
+        'ref': {
+            'rgba': (200, 210, 230, 255)},
+        'test': {
+            'rgba': (200, 230, 200, 255)},
+        'stylesheet': {
+            'filename': 'pylot/styles/bright.qss'}
+    }
+}
+
diff --git a/styles/dark.qss b/styles/dark.qss
deleted file mode 100644
index 743fb076..00000000
--- a/styles/dark.qss
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,209 +0,0 @@
-QMainWindow{
-background-color: qlineargradient(spread:reflect, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:0.5, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QWidget{
-background-color: qlineargradient(spread:reflect, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:0.5, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QComboBox{
-background-color: rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QComboBox *{
-background-color: rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QMenuBar{
-background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:1, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
-padding:1px;
-}
-
-QMenuBar::item{
-background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:1, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-padding:3px;
-}
-
-QMenu{
-background-color: qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:1, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-padding:0;
-}
-
-QMenu::item:selected{
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-background-color: rgba(200, 210, 230, 255);
-}
-
-QToolBar{
-background-color: qlineargradient(spread:reflect, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:0.5, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
-border-style:solid;
-border-color:rgba(70, 70, 80, 255);
-border-width:1px;
-}
-
-QToolBar *{
-background-color: qlineargradient(spread:reflect, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:0.5, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
-}
-
-QFileDialog QLabel{
-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 255);
-}
-
-QFileDialog QPushButton{
-background-color: rgba(210, 210, 210, 255);
-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 255);
-}
-
-QMessageBox{
-background-color: rgba(60, 60, 70, 255);
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QTableWidget{
-background-color: rgba(70, 70, 80, 255);
-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-border-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-selection-background-color: rgba(200, 210, 230, 255);
-}
-
-QHeaderView::section{
-background-color:qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0, y1:0, x2:1, y2:0, stop:0 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255), stop:1 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255));
-border:none;
-border-top-style:solid;
-border-width:1px;
-border-top-color:qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0, y1:0, x2:1, y2:0, stop:0 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255), stop:1 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255));
-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-padding:5px;
-}
-
-QHeaderView{
-background-color:qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0, y1:0, x2:1, y2:0, stop:0 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255), stop:1 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255));
-
-border:none;
-border-top-style:solid;
-border-width:1px;
-border-top-color:rgba(70, 70, 80, 255);
-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QListWidget{
-background-color:rgba(200, 200, 200, 255);
-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QStatusBar{
-background-color:rgba(60, 60, 70, 255);
-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QPushButton{
-background-color:rgba(70, 70, 80, 255);
-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QPushButton:pressed{
-background-color: rgba(70, 70, 80, 255);
-}
-
-QTabBar{
-background-color:transparent
-}
-
-QTabBar::tab{
-background-color:qlineargradient(spread:pad, x1:0, y1:0, x2:0, y2:1, stop:0 rgba(70, 70, 80, 255), stop:1 rgba(60, 60, 70, 255));
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-border-style:solid;
-border-color:rgba(60, 60, 70, 255);
-border-bottom-color: transparent;
-border-width:1px;
-padding:5px;
-}
-
-QTabBar::tab:selected{
-background-color:rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-border-style:solid;
-border-color:rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-border-bottom-color: transparent;
-border-width:1px;
-padding:5px;
-}
-
-QTabWidget{
-background-color:transparent;
-}
-
-QTabWidget::pane{
-background-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-border-style:solid;
-border-color:rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-border-width:1px;
-}
-
-QTabWidget::tab{
-background-color:rgba(60, 60, 70, 255);
-}
-
-QTabWidget > QWidget{
-background-color: rgba(60, 60, 70, 255);
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-}
-
-QScrollArea{
-background: transparent;
-}
-
-QScrollArea>QWidget>QWidget{
-background: transparent;
-}
-
-QLabel{
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-background-color: transparent;
-}
-
-QTextEdit{
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-background-color: rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-}
-
-QSpinBox{
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-background-color: rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-}
-
-QDoubleSpinBox{
-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-background-color: rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-}
-
-QLineEdit{
-background-color: rgba(80, 80, 90, 255);
-border-radius:0;
-}
-
-QListWidget{
-background-color:rgba(60, 60, 70, 255)
-}
-
-QProgressBar{
-border-radius:0;
-text-align:center;
-color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 255);
-background-color:rgba(60,60,80,255);
-border: 2px solid #e3a21a;
-border-radius:7px;
-	font: 75 12pt "Open Sans";
-
-}
-
-QProgressBar::chunk{
-background-color:rgba(60, 60, 70, 255);
-width:10px;
-}
\ No newline at end of file