PHOTO BY ERIN KELLY
Upon entering the tranquil renovated bathroom in Peters designed by Seashal Belldina, the combination of the guest suite’s alabaster tile, Calacatta marble and dolomite stone creates the serene vibe of an in-home retreat.
“It’s a complete transformation,” says Belldina, the principal interior designer at Pittsburgh-based Interiors by Seashal.
PHOTO BY ERIN KELLY
Today, the guest suite features a custom, locally handcrafted walnut vanity stained in a warm brown tone to complement the new hardwood floors that were installed in the guest bedroom. The shower walls are illuminated with LED strips for a soft, ambient glow; large alabaster sheets enhance the feeling of elegance. The ceiling and floor of the shower are finished with small mosaic Calacatta tiles. The shower bench, frame and countertops are all wrapped in natural stone. Behind the tub and vanity is a textured alabaster tile.
PHOTO BY ERIN KELLY
Appreciating how the complementary tones and materials flowed together for a cohesive feel, judges in this year’s Best of Design contest named it their Best Renovated Bathroom for 2025.
“I really thought that this was a great example of how creamy and natural tones are beginning to make their comeback and reign supreme again,” says Stephanie Schill Hayden, a registered architect at Schill Architecture and designer at House of L Interior Design. “The designer just did such a flawless job mixing different materials in a cohesive way without [it] being busy.”
PHOTO BY ERIN KELLY
Adding to the feeling of a modern organic spa are walnut accents, Art-Deco-inspired cabinet handles and a soothing color palette of grays, beiges and creams.
“It is a beautiful, timeless and classy renovation of an older bathroom,” says Judge Crystal Knapik, a project designer at Christner Architects in St. Louis. “I loved that the hardware complemented the tones of the wood and of the warmth of the tile that the designer chose.”
BEFORE: THE BATHROOM | PHOTO BY ERIN KELLY
Previously, the cramped bathroom, which had an oversized closet connected to a media room and an awkward pop-in shower stall, housed black countertops and builder-grade showerheads.
“We decided to take it down to the studs to maximize the space and create a more functional layout,” Belldina says.
The designer also used good, old-fashioned ingenuity to grant the owners’ wishes of making the room more spacious without knocking down any walls. The pass-through closet was transformed into a spacious shower with a 16-inch rainhead, a bench and a separate shower head.
Because the lower-level bathroom has a window overlooking the grass, Belldina had Rex Glass apply a filter over the window to allow light in while maintaining privacy.
“This renovation has truly created a special oasis for our client’s guests, offering them a retreat to enjoy when visiting,” Belldina says.
PHOTO BY ERIN KELLY
The homeowners (who asked to remain anonymous) are thrilled with how the bathroom turned out, adding the design perfectly captured the tranquil atmosphere they wanted in their guest suite.
“[Belldina’s] attention to detail and selection of materials created a space that is both beautiful and serene,” the homeowners say.
Read more Best of Design Winners 2025.
Vendors:
Interior Design: Seashal Belldina of Interiors by Seashal
General Contractor: Ackerman Construction
Cabinetry: Designed by Interiors by Seashal, handcrafted by DC Carpentry
Supplier: SPLASH
Fabricator: Premier Stone & Granite
Bathtub: Hydro Systems
Plumbing Fixtures: Brizo
Hardware: Armac Martin
Mirror: Made Goods
Lighting: Visual Comfort
Tile: Artistic Tile
Countertops/Shower Bench/Threshold: Mont Surfaces
Window Film: Rex Glass
link