Background colour on columns and main page problem!

[mystifier_uk]

If you check out what I have done so far at:

 

http://mobilematrix.org.uk/shop/catalog/shopping_cart.php

 

You will see that the left column is black (is what I want), but the content on the right ('Your shopping cart is empty') also has a black background.

 

Is there anyway I can have a black left column and have a white background on the right, or do they both have to be the same colour?

 

And is there anyway to have the left column as a solid block of black and get rid off the white gaps in between? So basically it's just one single column with all the content?

 

Thanks!