Managing user interface characteristics in displaying data storage system information. New functionality may be provided that can effect look-and-feel skinning for OEM and client customization. Extensions to conventional Java Synth Look-and-Feel technology for support of OEM and client customization may be enabled. Multiple Synth XML files can be merged, e.g., on the fly, and form one Synth XML file. One primary Synth XML file may be provided and any Style elements defined in secondary XML files may override corresponding Style elements in the primary XML file. For example, an OEM customer can define one Button Style in a secondary (customer's) XML file, and this definition can be detected at runtime and overrides a primary XML file's Button Style, resulting in the OEM look and feel.