Nature-Inspired Holiday Decor

The dining room's rebirth as a fun, fresh space began with coating the walls bright pear green. Cheeky palm tree-pattern fabric for century-old chairs came next, followed by a coordinating polka-dot tablecloth.

The curved stairway is a fittingly dramatic backdrop for a pair of trees. For a light look on a dark mahogany bench, mix latex paint with fabric medium, tape off 11-inch stripes on a piece of cotton duck, paint the stripes with a small roller, then make a slipcover with the painted fabric.

Starfish, hypericum berries, and variegated Italian Pittosporum ornament fresh pine garland that's strung on the staircase.

Cotton duck slipcovers on the traditional furniture are a clean, youthful foil for more expensive pillow fabrics. Undressed year-round, the bay window encircling the piano is especially beautiful at the holidays, when a trio of wreaths, adorned simply with yellow and cream ribbons, accentuates its graceful proportions.

The coffee table is an English papier-mache tray on a stand. A simple glass container filled with apples adds a splash of festive green color.

Scour antiques shops, estate sales, and auctions for antique gilt frames such as the one on the mantel. Quilted fabric on the wing chair echoes the palm tree motif in the dining room.

A giant shell sits on the mantel year-round; at Christmas it's paired with green gourds and heather.

Starfish, seashells, and sand are a striking contrast to the ornate platter that holds them.

Berries and lemons fit the holiday color scheme of yellow, white, and lime green.

The feathered topiaries on the dining room sideboard are from a local grocery store, proving that the perfect Christmas accessory could turn up in the most unusual place -- so keep your eyes peeled.

Canvas-slipcovered chairs at the dining room window go vibrant with green polka-dot pillows.

Imitation snow and glass beads casually strewn on the beverage table maintain an elegant, festive feel.

Create an elegant centerpiece by arranging a few orchid stems in a clear glass vase that has pieces of coral at the bottom. This vase only looks expensive -- it was actually purchased from a discount store and then etched with a monogram.

Seashells on napkin rings unify the holiday decor with the home's year-round nature theme.

The large red monogram on the duvet is the only punch of deep color in an otherwise neutral scheme of cream, white, and greens in the master bedroom.

A wicker table and chairs make a handy gift-wrapping station in the sweet sitting room that adjoins the master bedroom. Gracefully shaped built-in cabinets display more seashells.