[csense]

Two words: Linux Mint (an Ubuntu derivative) with Cinnamon.

Basically Linux Mint is the distro for people who used to like Ubuntu, but don't want unfamiliar postmodern GUI metaphors in Unity or Gnome 3 shoved down their throats.

[Mr_T_]

99% of Cinnamon is Gnome 3, the other 1% is heavily modified JavaScript wiring.

[bundyo]

Which is rather good - the features of Gnome 3 + the look and usability of Gnome 2.