Best of Design 2026: Best Renovated Home
Designer Seashal Belldina transformed a once-frustrating first floor into a cohesive space built for everyday living and beyond.
PHOTO BY ERIN ASH KELLY
Looking to age in place in the house where they raised their children, a couple in Peters knew they’d need to shake things up to remain happy in the house they already loved.
After decades of fighting a kitchen that didn’t quite work for their needs, the couple had Pittsburgh-based Interiors by Seashal redesign their entire first floor. Owner Seashal Belldina was tasked with creating a layout that would carry the family through their new stage of life — extended family dinners, grandkids and neighborly hangouts.
“The homeowners had raised their family in this home and were ready to thoughtfully renovate it for the next chapter,” she says.
PHOTO BY ERIN ASH KELLY
The designer, who says she approached the project from both a design and management standpoint, adds a large-scale renovation such as this one requires coordinating a variety of contractors and installers — often while homeowners are still living in their home.
“The most challenging part of a full-home project is managing the complexity that comes after the design phase,” she says.
Belldina says one of the biggest hurdles was helping the owners, who asked to remain anonymous, re-envision their kitchen without its awkward island. The owners also trusted Belldina’s guidance when she asked them to consider clearance in the kitchen for walkers or wheelchairs as they age in place at the home.
“I taught them that you can have a peninsula, and you’re going to see that the space is going to function so much better for you now and in the future,” she says.
PHOTO BY ERIN ASH KELLY
The end result is a more cohesive layout that still allows for gatherings, minus the awkwardness.
“Many of the elements we were unsure about at first ended up becoming our favorite features,” the owners shared. “Seeing everything come together into an intentional and fully transformed space was incredible.”
Judges for this year’s Best of Design contest named the project their Best Renovated Home winner for 2026. Judge Katie Savakis, a project designer at Vocon’s Cleveland office, highlighted the attention to millwork and other small details that might have been missed in a more generic renovation.
“This just proves you don’t have to have a big kitchen to make a big impact,” she says.
PHOTO BY ERIN ASH KELLY
Judge Crystal Knapik, a senior associate at CannonDesign in St. Louis, adds that those small details made the design feel timeless.
“The spaces feel fresh, yet they also feel like they’ve been there for 100 years,” she says. “They’ve really mastered the art of transitional design.”
Elements Belldina chose for the kitchen, such as grained cabinets and paneled appliances topped with marble countertops, influenced the design for the rest of the first floor. The golden mesh insert on several of the kitchen cabinets is echoed in the living room, while the grain in the cabinetry is carried into the powder room.
PHOTO BY ERIN ASH KELLY
A large-scale wallpaper mural in the dining room became a focal point, drawing in colors from every other space on the first floor. The vibe is both cozy and distinguished — a difficult balance to hit. Amidst choosing the luxurious fabrics and eye-catching finishes, Belldina says she always kept in mind the family’s desire for a space they could enjoy together.
“Practicality was equally important,” she says. “With a large, light-colored dog, we selected durable performance fabrics and thoughtfully chose finishes, like lighter rugs and upholstery, that would both hold up to daily life and subtly conceal wear. Ultimately, the design reflects a home that is as livable as it is beautiful, tailored to their lifestyle today and well into the future.”
Vendors
Interior Design: Interiors by Seashal
General Contractor: Managed by Interiors by Seashal and homeowners
Electric: Pricelight Electric Company
Plumber: Cornwell Plumbing
Cabinetry and Hood: Arrow Cabinet Company
Hardware: Armac Martin and Classic Brass from Allegheny Millwork
Appliances: Subzero fridge, Bosch dishwasher and Sharp microwave from Don’s Appliances, AGA Range and Zephyr hood insert from Bridgeville Appliances.
Fixtures: Newport Brass
Lighting: Visual Comfort
Flooring: Doran Hard Surfaces
Countertops: Taj Mahal Quartzite from MSI and fabricator Premiere Stone & Granite
Custom plaster on hood: KT Finishing Touch
Furnishings: Dining table, kitchen chairs and office desk made by Wooden Whale.
Carpet: SP Floors
Wallpaper: Philip Jeffries
