Good polished web sites for business apps for inspiration?

Question

I am a web developer with not much design skills when it comes to web page layout, colors, use of white space..etc.

Looking for good web sites or web app which show case good use of colors overall, gouping of related items, headers, grids, panels, color gradients, borders, tabs, I develop business applications so I am not into Flash, animation, etc. I have seen some "Web 2.0" butthey tend to use big text size, textboxes and so on and they are not fit for apps which might tend to be busy in data entry stuff.

Any sites which look solid, professional, polished with some some eye candy like mild glossiness and color grandients?

Answer 1

It depends a lot on what you're looking for. If its just a generic business app, that can look like anything else, ExtJS is slick and holds your hand design wise. Otherwise, there is no one answer. Consider the Webware 100 Awards or any app by 37 Signals. However my advice to you is to find a designer who has already implemented an app you admire. I find it very unlikely that you, or a cheap "web designer" you hire will the talent to pull off what you really want.

Answer 2

Try CSS sites like CSSRemix.com or google for "CSS Gallery". For concepts and not sites, look at SmashingMagazine.com.

Answer 3

CSS Beauty, CSS Mania, CSS Vault