As a Graphic Designer, I usually reference CSS/HTML galleries that give "web awards" to great websites.

http://bestwebgallery.com/ http://www.thebestdesigns.com/ http://www.awwwards.com/

These gallery websites should get you well on your way.

"Pages that have earned a web award" and "Pages that convert" aren't always the same thing.

Good point that is sometimes overlooked. Optimize your design for higher conversion rates. A/B test everything. If everything else is equal, then go with the pretty design.

Optimizely's landing page is a good example. The call-to-action button is above the fold, and you can quickly test out their product.

http://www.optimizely.com/