In this video I’m giving my dining room a mini makeover for the first time in two years—starting with the biggest functional upgrade: a new-to-me, authentically mid-century dining table I scored at an estate sale (it matches the credenza I found too). My old table wasn’t ugly, but the leg placement was so random and tight that we couldn’t tuck chairs in, and hosting always felt cramped. This new table is the same size as my old one (without the leaves), but it’s instantly easier to live with—and it came with extra leaves, so it still works when we host. Once the table was in, I realized my $25 estate sale rug was honestly downgrading the whole vibe (too small, tassels, not my ideal). So I swapped it for a 6x9 hand-loomed wool rug from Quince, and the size/texture alone made the room feel way more finished. Then I styled a realistic Thanksgiving tablescape using mostly thrifted serveware and mix-and-match pieces, and later flipped the whole room into Christmas mode: I refreshed my stained glass window decals, fixed a cloudy water mark on the buffet with the iron trick, made a DIY citrus garland for my little bird tree, and went full British-plaid with a banner and a dramatic paper chain ceiling moment. Cozy, lived-in, budget-smart—and totally renter-friendly.