According to LiveSide, Microsoft seems to be testing background images or 'Home Page Skins' for Live Search.

Search Engine Land, did however request for a comment from Microsoft and this is what Microsoft had to say about the new change, “The background image that LiveSide is reporting on is a part of a test flight. As new ideas come up for testing, Live Search will expose them to a small subset of the user base to see how people respond to them. At this point, we don't have details around when or if this feature will be available permanently, or more broadly.”

Well, with everything serious going around everywhere, this seems to be a relaxing and refreshing time-out. Good going Microsoft!