by Xanayoshi » Fri Jun 05, 2015 3:39 pm
Can you post a screenshot, I am confused as I just installed this not too long ago, and it was definitely Mate. It sounds like you are describing Gnome, and Plymouth is that graphic you see on boot, the spinny thing, etc.
It doesn't have compiz(wobbly Windows, Cube) set so is somewhat plain, but if you did "Download updates while installing" it probably updated Mate or kicked it for Gnome as Thee can't seem to stay away from it even though it is really really really really not necessary and is actually a detriment to Mate at this point. When Mate updates it resets the Desktop and you have to go in and set it up again. Gnome is Gnome, it will look boring and plain no matter what you do. Gnome DE is what happens when your imagination dies.
My suggestion is to install and only click the box for non-free(mp3, Bob Loblaw), and leave the update while installing check-free.