from your questions im guessing you have seem catching up to do. :
html is the language of web design. cms is as you say a way of editing /your site
Joomla or Drupal would be worth looking at for you i think. Joomla especially as you are almost certain to fine these items that you mention as modules or components ( i forget which is which) check out mabohut and other joomla sites they offer free templates and modules and that will be a way of getting what you want, quickly online.
you could still make you own of course if you are willing to wait to learn