Kirby CMS runs this website with a theme I designed to eliminate the standard design principles of a blog.
A home page recommends a selection of posts. No page is a reverse chronological list. Even if a reader visits one that’s supposed to be, for example, an archive, they won’t see a list. Every page allows a search and an option to visit a random post. A prominent nav bar allows navigation around every post. There are a lot of other minor touches sprinkled throughout.
Plus there are colours. Minimal doesn’t mean black and white. Minimal can have personality. It does now.
I will add more details soon.