‘It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about adding soul to your walls’ – A Mid-Century Detail Brought Warmth to Joan Baez’s ’80s Living Room, and It’s Trending Again for 2026
As trend cycles chug along, it is guaranteed that looks that were once reviled as ‘dated’ will cycle back into interior design fashion. On the other hand, some looks are timeless, and appear as if they could have been built yesterday decades later. An archival image of Joan Baez’s living room from the 80s demonstrates both of these truths.
Homes & Gardens unearthed an image of the living room in Joan Baez’s Woodside, California home from 1980, and it’s the ideal combination of momentary trends with elegant, perpetually in style details. Namely: the wood-panelled walls. This pretty natural style is the perfect pair with more ’80s details like the lime green velvet armchair and simple gallery wall. No matter the year, wood panelling (like this fluted-style from Amazon) is gorgeous.
You may like
(Image credit: Paul Harris via Getty Images)
Nina Lichtenstein, Westchester-based interior designer, explains: ‘When thoughtfully integrated, wood paneling can transform a living room into a warm, inviting, and deeply personal space. It’s not just about aesthetics. It’s about adding soul to your walls. But like any good design move, it works best when done with intention, balance, and an understanding of your lifestyle.’
Recreate Joan’s Look at Home
On Sale
This low profile accent chair is the perfect pick for adding softness and warmth to a living room. It would be the ideal complement to wooden walls.
Thin metal profile
Target Elevated Aluminum Poster Frame Black
With a thin, metal frame, this is the ideal piece for creating a sleek and modern gallery wall. Available in a range of different sizes, this frame can fit a range of spaces.
Organic design
We love the unique style of ecological piece, perfect for practical and artistic use. If you aren’t ready to full panel your walls in natural wood, this is the perfect place to get started with the look.
Part of what makes this look so striking throughout the decades is its versatility. For instance, wood panelling appears quite traditional in Joan Baez’s living room, but it can also have a more modern bent. Nina explains: ‘Done right, wood paneling transcends interior design trends. Tongue-and-groove paneling, shiplap, board-and-batten, and flat vertical slats all have timeless appeal that can be adapted to a variety of design aesthetics, from coastal farmhouse to mid-century modern.’
To recreate Joan’s look, I would recommend first evaluating the style of your home to determine what kind of wood panelling might work in your home. From traditional to scandi-modern, there are a range of ways to tap into this look. I would also recommend carefully considering your stain color to select a finish that will complement the furnishings and style of the rest of the room. From there, you can choose your panelling and get started.
Joan Baez’s living room shows that when timeless details and trends come together, you can create a space that is uniquely your own. Wooden panelling is the perfect place to start.
