Using caspian and modena, I can create custom tree/table/list cell renderers and set them using the setGraphic(...) call on the cell. In caspian, I can set text -fx-text-fill on a text component in my custom pane using a ladder derived color based on the background of the cell. When the cell is selected and the background is darker, the text becomes lighter and vice versa. In modena, I can't find a way to do the same thing. No matter what text-fill I use, it stays black (or one color).