But what might make a premium theme in my eyes, might not be in other peoples eyes.

I agree that the user experience is important (automatic resizing of images, etc). This makes the user want to use your theme and to try out what it can do. Attention to the flow of your theme is also important, in my opinion. What the user’s eye reads first, etc.

@Daus : Thanks Daus. What you say is exactly on the point, in terms of the layout. Simple, neat and well considered in all it’s aspects, is a theme that would work for me as well. A bit of extra funcitonality to enhance the user experience wouldn’t hurt either.

when I pay or look for a premium I want to see the following:
1. Professional Coding (most important)
+ this means the Css, Html, and php code is clearly labled and used properly. If you include the Psd the layers should be labelled.

-The worst ones are those who use an image for the main layout. Sure it looks great on the surface but the minute you want to change or expand a paragraph the whole thing collapses. (thankfully I have seen less of this lately)

2. Unique usage and design
+ Give me something that I cannot find in a freebie. Something like automatic image resize included in your theme is a good start. Makes my life easier. Big fan lately of using jQuery effects to help set it apart.
+ Areas that include easy placement of widgets

3. Graphics
+ This is the sprinkles on the top. It can be hard for someone like me who is not graphically intune. This will catch my attention to even look into a premium theme. Being a premium and meeting the first two I know I can implement the graphics I may need to change.

In terms of two-column blogging themes, I quite like “Typebased” by Woothemes. A nice clean theme, with a few simple design elements and a solid 2 column layout.

I tried to go for a clean, two column layout as well. I’ve always been a fan of simple, clean, even minimalist web designs.

Shades of blue gets close http://www.studiopress.com/demo/shades/ (no categories menu) and the Perfection theme in my last post (colors need editing), but both aren’t elegant, amazing, apart looking out of the box. That’s why I’m kinda waiting for Meta-Morphosis theme to be released. (Luckily its free even).
Maybe there is some market for 2column hardcore simple blog themes.. Dunno, do you know any more themes that look like this?

The question is, does form follow function or visa versa?

And of course the theme has to look good

I agree. When you step into the “premium themes” market, value becomes very important. Users’ definitions of what adds value and what doesn’t add value can be different, though. Hence, many themers try to add as much value as possible from all angles, and the theme chances becoming bloated and overflowing with functionality. This can be negative for both the user and the developer, as man hours have been used for very little return and the user gets confronted with large amounts of extras, which could be confusing or just too much, at times.

SEO features are a definite value adding addition. If the user’s experience is easy and pleasant, I believe the developer and designer have done their bit… extra bells and whistles or not.

In some cases, less is more.

I agree. A nice simple code structure, with a few comments (where necessary), is very important.

I’ve learned a lot from looking through code structures of various themes. Comments would definitely help users to learn and to eventually get to designing and developing their own themes, widgets and plugins, should they wish to do that.