How can I use node icons as background images?

[Zenegade]

I came across the XenForo website below and I really like how the forums options are boxed. How do I achieve that effect and can the background image for the forum be a node icon. That way it can be dulled out on forums that have been read and coloured in on forums that are yet to be read.

http://www.tinhte.vn/forum/

 

[Lone Wolf]

@Brogan @Jake Bunce @EQnoble

Sorry to disturb you guys but Zenegade and myself are trying to see how to do this. Do you have any advice or ideas?

 

[Paul B]

I don't have time to look into that unfortunately.

Use a browser inspection tool and it should be fairly easy to see how they've done it.

 

[TPerry]

I came across the XenForo website below and I really like how the forums options are boxed. How do I achieve that effect and can the background image for the forum be a node icon. That way it can be dulled out on forums that have been read and coloured in on forums that are yet to be read.

http://www.tinhte.vn/forum/

I was helping him out with an email problem via conversation and during our convo we got to talking about it. He's HEAVY into web design and all related aspects and that site is heavily modified from what I understood. I was in as an Admin, but didn't want to nose around except where I was trying to help him out at so I couldn't tell you how heavy or light his EXTRA.css is or anything about it.
I'm sure if you pushed enough cash at him he'd be glad to help out.