Readability can be achieved in different ways...?

I just scribbled these out in 5 min., so of course it looks bad, but it does show that adding some texture does not necessarily detract from readability. It's really nothing to worry about. The more nondescript the image is, the better.
Or there could be other ways to break things up. Solid colors can't be the only way to make something "readable."

Personally, though, I do reckon that the banner should remain pristine and uncluttered all the time as to maintain gravitas. Perhaps things could go into the proposed area where the catalog search will be? I'm aware that is a very, very, very unpopular view.