I also don`t know wich site had the best graphics, but maybe this one is comming close: maystardesigns.com But it`s very personal what you think is lovely, or ugly........
If I need an effect, I go to Dynamic Drive. Here you can find a lot dhtml scrips, and you don`t have to know how it works! A lot of people use this website. I also saw a snow-effect. You can find it on this page: http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamicindex3/snow.htm. Good luck!
Nice that you do translations! I`m also Dutch, and it`s very funny to see dutch on this forum. I`m working hard to make a website in English, and now I see people to the same thing, but than eh.... omgekeerd. (I don`t know the word in english) Ik zag in de vertaling op deze pagina staan in de nederlandse vertaling 7.30 p.m.. Kan dat niet beter 19.30 worden?Veel succes met vertalingen!
I also use HTMLKit. I really like it, becaus it`s free , and works very fine. If you want to download this program, you should visit the html-kit website. Good luck with making your site!