Hi,
I would like to contribute just a few lines to this interesting thread.
I usually start my layouts for websites away from the computer. (and sometimes I make simple mockups using a drawing or painting app, such as CorelDraw or PaintShop Pro 4)
A good way to organize the design is using a "hidden" grid structure, let's say, divide a typical screen (800 px wide) in, say, ten columns, and use them to organize your layout. You can merge the basic columns, etc.
Once I have a basic idea, I use grid paper (it's better to use "technical" paper) since you can work more accurately.
Then I work out which table structure will be needed to place the pages' elements.
Finally, I recreate the structure and add the content in the html/site editors (by the way, it's Fusion, Homesite and 1stPage 2000 at home, and Dreamweaver at the office.)

You can go the easy way -- put the elements in layers (or "layout boxes" in Fusion), and then reconstruct the page using tables. Both programs will do it automatically for you, but the code tends to be over-inflated.
Other designers use a mockup image, then autoslice it, and often they get a structure that falls to pieces when you resize the font in the browser!
These are good reasons for a simpler hands-on-html approach!

My own sites are http://www.typephases.com,
http://www.mundofree.com and http://pagina.de/vigital

Best to all,
Joan