Ciara Word Transforms a Small Bath into a Luxurious Retreat

Working with the original footprint of a 1950s home, designer Ciara Word reallocates square footage as she transforms the primary bath into a lighter, brighter, elegant retreat.

Houses built in the 1950s weren’t exactly known for architectural extravagance. Room sizes were modest, finishes were simple, and ceiling heights were generally a standard 8 feet. Utilitarian spaces were simply that—purposeful and useful.

Though this Cahaba Heights rancher received one renovation almost a decade ago, its newest homeowners, Ashley and Jake Ray, wanted to step it up another notch. They worked with designer Ciara Word to carve out a more generous space for a new primary bath while also redressing their bedroom.

“I’m constantly intrigued by all of the wonderful interior design and architecture Birmingham has to offer, as well as my wonderful artisans and tradespeople who teach me new things all the time. Being able to put my own spin on design and share it with clients brings me such joy.”
—Ciara Word

Working within the existing footprint, Ciara relocated a laundry, widened openings, and reclaimed some unused space. “Moving the laundry allowed us to maximize the bath,” Ciara says. “With that extra square footage, we got to do everything we wanted to and more.”

The new bath includes a separate water closet, a freestanding tub, and a larger shower with dual showerheads and rain heads. New his-and-her vanities and a makeup counter on her side give the couple room to move. Everywhere, finishes and fixtures are lighter and brighter thanks to timeless, elegant appointments and smart ideas that create the illusion of an even bigger bath.

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Space & Light

The bath appears much larger than it is thanks to smart design strategies. Ciara shares tips for gaining visual space:

  • Install mirrors to ceiling height. Large mirrors allow more light to be picked up by the window and bounce throughout the space.
  • Avoid sconces. I placed fixtures high to help guide the eye up rather than allowing it to stop abruptly at a sconce placed lower on the wall.
  • Consider cabinet placement. The former bath had a tower cabinet between the sinks which encroached on elbow room. Separating the vanities allowed us to give the clients more storage on their separate vanities.
  • Choose lighter finishes. The former cabinets were dark wood and weighed the room down. Hardwood floors were stained dark. Ciara replaced the cabinets with white oak and introduced Dolomite marble tile on the floors.
  • Open up. A full-length glass shower enclosure rather than a single door in the middle surrounded by sheetrock visually opens up the wet area.
  • Take it up. Extending the shower tile to the ceiling makes the space feel seamless and exaggerates the height of the 8-foot ceilings.

Designer Ciara Word in her office

Meet Designer Ciara Word

Ciara Word is the principal designer for Word Interiors. Following her classical training at The University of Alabama and her work in design firms in Birmingham, Ciara formed Word Interiors offers approachable, beautiful designs for clients of all ages—whether that means someone in their first home or their forever home.

The designer is drawn to natural materials, a perfectly executed curve, and interesting textures, but her favorite thing to do is capture the client’s style by creating a space that feels authentic to them. Ciara lives in Vestavia Hills with her husband, two young daughters, and a golden retriever. wordinteriors.com

Go-to outfit: My favorite pair of Mother Jeans, my Chloe sneakers, and a cute top. If it’s a special occasion, give me anything Zimmermann!

Favorite way to relax: A quiet bath with a Le Labo candle burning

Inspired by: All of the wonderful interior design and architecture Birmingham and the Southeast has to offer! We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful and supportive design community. I’m constantly intrigued by what everyone here is doing, even down to my wonderful artisans and tradespeople who teach me new things all the time. Being able to put my own spin on design and share it with the world brings me such joy.


Resources:

Bathroom countertops and shower benches: Alabama Stoneworks; Plumbing: Fixtures & Finishes; Rug: Hazel House Collective; Wallpaper: Lee Jofa’s Innisfree; Wall tile: Moroccan Zellige Tile; Lamps: Visual Comfort with Henhouse Shades.

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