diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index e8668196a..76ef57a15 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+2002-01-07  Havoc Pennington  <hp@redhat.com>
+
+	* src/frames.c (meta_frames_expose_event): make gradient a bit
+	more subtle (don't go to the full background, but to a blend of
+	selection and background; put lighter color on top)
+
 2002-01-06  Havoc Pennington  <hp@pobox.com>
 
 	* src/window.c (meta_window_notify_focus): put in attempted fix
diff --git a/src/frames.c b/src/frames.c
index 10dd5af71..cb93a231f 100644
--- a/src/frames.c
+++ b/src/frames.c
@@ -1759,12 +1759,21 @@ meta_frames_expose_event            (GtkWidget           *widget,
       if (flags & META_FRAME_HAS_FOCUS)
         {
           GdkPixbuf *gradient;
+          GdkColor selected_faded;
+          const GdkColor *bg = &widget->style->bg[GTK_STATE_NORMAL];
 
+          /* alpha blend selection color into normal color */
+#define ALPHA 25000
+          selected_faded = widget->style->bg[GTK_STATE_SELECTED];
+          selected_faded.red = selected_faded.red + (((bg->red - selected_faded.red) * ALPHA + 32768) >> 16);
+          selected_faded.green = selected_faded.green + (((bg->green - selected_faded.green) * ALPHA + 32768) >> 16);
+          selected_faded.blue = selected_faded.blue + (((bg->blue - selected_faded.blue) * ALPHA + 32768) >> 16);
+          
           layout_gc = widget->style->fg_gc[GTK_STATE_SELECTED];
 
           gradient = meta_theme_get_gradient (META_GRADIENT_DIAGONAL,
+                                              &selected_faded,
                                               &widget->style->bg[GTK_STATE_SELECTED],
-                                              &widget->style->bg[GTK_STATE_NORMAL],
                                               fgeom.title_rect.width,
                                               fgeom.title_rect.height);