XFCE + GALA

xgala.txt

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/14heuu/xfce_gala_plank_awesome/

Add the elementary daily ppa and install gala + plank + dconf-tools

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:elementary-os/daily
sudo apt-get update $$ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
sudo apt-get install gala plank dconf-tools gtk2-engines-pixbuf

Set gala as xfce's default window manager

cp /etc/xdg/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-session.xml ~/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-session.xml
nano ~/.config/xfce4/xfconf/xfce-perchannel-xml/xfce4-session.xml
replace "xfwm4" with "gala"

Put min/max/close buttons on the right

open dconf-editor:
org pantheon desktop gala appearance
button-layout: :minimize,maximize,close

other stuff:
org gnome application interface
change the fonts
gtk-theme
org gnome application wm preferences
theme and font too

Additional tips:

1. Do "sudo apt remove xfce4-notifyd" if you want to use gala notification manager.
2. You have to configure some parts of gala separately from xfce4 (wallpaper, cursor, workspaces count, etc.) Do "sudo apt install gnome-tweak-tool" and run gnome-tweak-tool.
3. Disable dynamic workspaces. It's annoying. http://i.imgur.com/ffR2AoA.png

Good luck!