Asked by clients to turn a tired guest bath into a spa-like retreat, designer Seashal Belldina of Pittsburgh-based Interiors by Seashal encountered not just a dark basement space that needed modernizing. She also faced some structural conditions that limited what could be done to the floor plan.
The home was built in 1985. The bathroom in the guest suite had a pre-fab plastic shower stall with a shower head that was plumbed too low for the new homeowners to use. In addition, it had a bulkhead and a large, awkwardly placed closet that doubled as a passage to the media room.
The clients’ main requirements were a larger shower and the addition of a bathtub, so they could rejuvenate after exercising in the adjacent workout room.
Fixing the Floor Plan
The logical solution would be to take out the concrete block walls wrapping around the vanity to open the space up so it could accommodate a larger vanity and a new tub. However, after consulting with the structural engineer it was determined that removing them and installing steel support beams would be a budget-buster. “Joining the GC in meetings with the structural engineer and being part of those conversations was enlightening for future projects,” said Belldina.
The team decided to keep all the walls of the 8′ 4″ x 14′ 11″ guest bath where they were – but that’s not to say the designer didn’t make some deft changes to the existing space to fulfill her clients’ program. She turned an unused closet into the shower and relocated the toilet to where the old shower used to be, creating just enough space for a tub in the space where the toilet had stood.
With the layout resolved, Belldina focused on the fun parts of the project. “My favorite part of the design process was selecting the stone, tile and cabinetry to create moments of movement, texture, functionality and color. I aimed to give the space personality and warmth while balancing thoughtful design choices to ensure it remains functional and practical for everyday use.”
Sources
Design: Seashal Belldina, Interiors by Seashal; Photography: Erin Ash Kelly; Cabinets: DC Cabinetry; Cabinet Hardware: Armac Martin; Countertops/bench/shower frame: Dolomite from Mont Surfaces; Faucets, Shower Fittings, Tub Filler: Brizo; Lighting: Visual Comfort; Mirrors: Made Goods; Paint: Sherwin-Williams; Sink, Toilet: Toto; Tile: Artistic Tile; Tub: Hydro Systems; Ventilation: Panasonic
