You can shop the items and look all in one place HERE!
This project was one of those that made me pause and say, “Okay… this is interesting.”
In the very best way.
Craig invited us into his LA home with one big question: Which space should we transform in just three days — the dining room or the bedroom?
The dining room was where life with others happened — hosting friends, sharing meals, gathering around the table. The bedroom, on the other hand, was where Craig started and ended every day… and right now, it was just a place to sleep and leave. Not a retreat. Not a space he loved.
So we did what we always do around here — we asked you.
After a round of Instagram story voting (and lots of opinions), the verdict was clear: the dining room won. And with that decision came a very specific, very bold vision.
The Inspiration: Early ’80s, Circa 1982
When I asked Craig about his style, he didn’t hesitate.
“Late ’70s. Early ’80s. 1982.”
And just to be clear — this wasn’t trendy ’80s. This was nostalgic.
The kind of dining rooms you remember from childhood. Paneled walls. Warm wood tones. Mustard yellow. Pea green. Burnt orange. Stained glass lighting. Cozy corner seating where family scenes happen.
Then he sent the reference photo that sealed it: the dining room from E.T..
Specifically, that triangle table. That light. That feeling.
And I said it out loud to the camera:
“You guys are either going to love this room… or hate it.”
Designing with Nostalgia (and a Little Risk)
Craig’s goal wasn’t to recreate the past exactly. It was deeper than that.
He wanted the dining room to feel:
- Familiar, even if you can’t explain why
- Comforting
- Nostalgic, but still modern and cool
- Like the home he wished he’d grown up in
Honestly, it felt like healing your inner child… with plywood and stain.
The Most Controversial Choice: DIY Wood Paneling
Let’s talk about the moment that really got the DMs fired up: wood paneling.
Yes. Paneling.
A lot of you were concerned. Some of you were very concerned.
But Craig? He was all in.
Instead of buying expensive panels, we DIY’d it in a way that was:
- Budget-friendly
- Totally doable
- Surprisingly simple
We used ¼-inch plywood, clamped a straight edge, and ran a router along it to create clean grooves — mimicking classic ’80s wood paneling. Once stained, it completely transformed the sheets into something rich, textured, and timeless.
We nailed the panels directly to the walls, and as they went up, the room instantly started to shift. It felt warmer. Moodier. More grounded.
Even Craig looked at it and said, “This is awesome. A lot of people are going to love this.”
The E.T. Moment: Corner Bench + Triangle Table
One of my favorite details in this space is the corner bench seating — inspired by those early movie scenes where family life unfolds quietly in the background.
We built an L-shaped bench with angled backs (for actual comfort), upholstered it in a muted green cushion, and tucked it perfectly into the corner. Craig even walked across it to prove it was sturdy — always a good sign.
And then there’s the table.
The triangle table.
Made from layered plywood, softened edges, and finished with a mustard yellow top and stained wood border, it’s playful without feeling gimmicky. It’s the kind of piece that makes people smile the second they walk in.
The Light That Ties It All Together
The stained glass light fixture might just be the unsung hero of the room.
It has that old-school Pizza Hut energy — and I mean that as the highest compliment. Warm. Glowy. Inviting. The kind of light that instantly sets a mood and makes you want to sit and stay awhile.
More Than a Room
One of my favorite finishing touches in this space is the built-in shelf we added just for Craig’s record collection. It was designed to fit his vinyl perfectly—not squeezed in, not oversized—just right. The kind of detail that makes a room feel intentional. It gave his records a real home, while also creating space for a few books and meaningful decor pieces to live alongside them. It’s functional, and personal… which is exactly what this room needed.
Craig said something that stuck with me during this project:
“This space has a mood. You don’t know exactly why, but it feels comforting. Familiar.”
That’s the goal.
Not just to design a room that looks good — but one that feels good. A space that invites you in, slows you down, and tells a story.
This dining room isn’t just about hosting. It’s about belonging. About nostalgia. About giving yourself the home you always wanted.
That’s what makes it one of my favorite three-day makeovers we’ve ever done.
Thanks for being part of it.
You can shop the items and look all in one place HERE!
