Boston's distinguished Beacon Hill neighborhood is an ideal location for decorating slackers. Its pristine medley of existing adornments--Federal-style townhouses, historically appropriate gas lamps, brass door knockers, and black-shuttered windows--sustains a facade that never looks unpolished or ordinary. And once Mother Nature sprinkles the scene with a dusting of snow, all it takes are armfuls of garlands, handfuls of red bows, and presto! The holidays are under way.

Restrained though they are about their seasonal outdoor decorations, the area residents are fiercely determined to protect the enchanting ambience of the centuries-old neighborhood. And come Christmastime, their fervor imbues the various interiors with spirited personalities that parallel each home's charming curb appeal.

Designer Gregory Van Boven is one such zealous resident. Each year, he and partner David Beck make monthlong preparations that splash their home in holiday glory as they get it ready for the season's traditional happy influx of countless family and friends.

"We start with a trip to a suburban tree farm and usually choose a tree too tall for our living room," Gregory laughs. "The trees always look smaller growing out in a field."

What Gregory and David lack in measuring skills, they make up for with an abundant supply of festive charm that greets visitors stepping through the front door. The entry foyer nods to the holiday with elegant discrimination. Simple sprigs of boxwood follow the shape of a rectangular mirror. Finished in gold leaf, the mirror hangs above a demilune table topped with a white porcelain reindeer and a stylish display of red amaryllis.

The layout and proportions of the living room might have persuaded the decoratively timid to throw in the towel. Initially, Gregory had chosen appropriately large pieces of artwork to fill the expanse of wall, but that solution didn't satisfy. So he came up with a refined but simple idea that involved a lesson in geometry to resolve the problem. He applied moldings in a rectangular pattern above the wainscoting. Now painted the same color as the wall, the moldings melt into the background--a gray-beige neutral--and gracefully offer three-dimensional texture without being intrusive.

While the fireplace is the natural focal point of the room most of the year, at Christmas it takes a backseat to the tree, placed in a front corner visible to passersby on the city sidewalks. At the opposite end of the room, the fireplace is flanked by unusual angled walls fitted with arched and glass-fronted cupboards. The mantel delights with pinecones, winterberries, and five varieties of evergreens.

Adjoining the living room, the master bedroom dreams away in shades of serene white. The star of the room is the bed, with its headboard upholstered in beautiful beige-and-white damask. Other white-painted pieces include an old armchair Gregory inherited from his grandparents and a bedside table he designed.

As in most urban residences built in New England during the 18th and 19th centuries, the kitchen and dining room are downstairs, on the garden level. A dramatic staircase with architectural luminarias on each step delights guests descending to the eating areas. boards. The mantel delights with pinecones, winterberries, and five varieties of evergreens.

Adjoining the living room, the master bedroom dreams away in shades of serene white. The star of the room is the bed, with its headboard upholstered in beautiful beige-and-white damask. Other white-painted pieces include an old armchair Gregory inherited from his grandparents and a bedside table he designed.

As in most urban residences built in New England during the 18th and 19th centuries, the kitchen and dining room are downstairs, on the garden level. A dramatic staircase with architectural luminarias on each step delights guests descending to the eating areas.

The dining room, draped in holiday finery, packs tons of fine design into a sliver of a space. Measuring 9x19 feet, this was another area that posed decorating as well as functional challenges. So the designer cleverly eliminated the need for chairs on one side of the table, instead installing a chic banquette upholstered in putty-colored linen. Across the table and at each end are white-painted dining chairs. Their design, inspired by antiques Gregory spotted during a trip to Paris, was executed by a Boston-area cabinetmaker. Gregory then introduced a playful touch--hand-painted numbers on the top of each chair--and upholstered their seats and backs in white silk.

By the time he finishes his holiday decorating, the home is ready for the 12th year of his and David's annual open house and Christmas party.

"People who attend our party love it, because they never decorate to the extent that I do," explains Gregory. "There's something magical about their joyous attitudes and sparkle."

Interior designer: Gregory Van Boven, Gregory Van Boven Interior Design, 125 Kingston St., Boston, MA 02111; 617/338-8944, gregoryvanboven.com.

Photography: Eric Roth
Produced by Estelle Bond Guralnick

Winterberries and a glittery reindeer add festive flair to a living room table.

An art-school portrait of homeowner and designer Gregory Van Boven hangs above the greenery-covered living room mantel.

A needlepoint Santa made by Gregory settles comfortably with the Fortuny-covered cushion and the Stroheim & Romann pillows.

Gregory relishes the festive decorations he uses to prepare his home for the season and a joyous open-house party.

The Christmas tree, which takes pride of place in the corner of the living room, is visible to passersby outside.

Christmas colors shine from a cluster of red glass balls, a green plate, and two white porcelain sea urchins.

The designer buys tree trimmings in the Greenwich Village shop of Matt McGhee, who fashioned the Santa ornament after a German antique.

A silver bowl is filled with cookies Gregory bakes as favors for party guests.

Guests celebrate the season at the open house.

On the dining room table, a red paisley tablecloth provides a rich backdrop for the white-and-gold Haviland dinnerware, William Yeoward crystal stemware, and arrangements of roses and other red flowers. Chairs covered in white Brunschwig & Fils fabric offer strong contrast to the tablecloth. A Murano clear-glass chandelier illuminates the table and highlights its reflection on the mirrored wall.

Guest Jim Moses is full of holiday spirit at Gregory and David's Christmas party.

The splendid table.

A festive plate of frosted snowflake cookies entices arriving guests to check out the dinner menu.

Partygoers socialize before dinner.

The white-and-ivory master bedroom--which looks as if it's been covered with a blanket of fresh snow--is injected with moments of red to suggest the festive season. A Styrofoam ball covered in red carnations rests on a white-painted bedside table. To reinforce the holiday theme, a wrapped package rests between the legs of the side chair. Tess, a Yorkshire terrier, enhances the home's Christmas cheer with a jaunty red ribbon.

Architectural paper lanterns lit by votives illuminate and decorate the stair risers. "I use them all year," explains Gregory. "They make great centerpieces on tables or garden lanterns in the summer."

Even the marble bust gets a holiday crown.

Greenery and red bows at Beacon Hill windows are just enough decoration to transform the area into a neighborhood that's charmingly in the Christmas spirit.

Standing on a marble-top demilune table in the foyer, a vivid red amaryllis and an elegant Nymphenburg porcelain stag make a double impact with their reflections in a gilded mirror.

A classic Christmas window treatment.

A welcoming entryway.

Details, details.

The tree is lavishly decorated.

The reindeer gets a fur stole.

So simple, so elegant.