LIke Paxx said, DesktopX can be used independently.

Think of your computer in different pieces.

You've got your icons. You've got your GUI (title bars, etc.). You've got your actual desktop and then you've got the Startbar or whatever program launching part.

WindowBlinds handles the GUI portion. Style XP claims to do the same though inr eality it just patches a system file in Windows to allow you to use a skin format called .msstyles.  You can do that for free you don't need Style XP for that.

IconPackager handles the icons.

DesktopX handles the desktop

ObjectBar/NextSTART/Litestep/SysMetrix handle either enhancing or replacing the Start bar.