Design One – Stevens Interiors was established in 1995 with the amalgamation of two existing companies – Stevens Interiors Ltd., owned by Rod Stevens (originally founded by his father Elmer George Stevens in 1949), and Design One Interiors, founded by Wendy Marley and Len Thomas in 1988.
In the 1930s, Elmer Stevens was introduced to the design industry after working in a large paint factory in Laurel Point in Victoria, BC. After joining the army during WWII, he returned to Victoria in 1946 and began working at Mowat-Grant (a subsidiary of Douglas Paint in Vancouver). Wanting to start his own business, Elmer soon leased two stores in a building on Quadra Street where he began Island Paint Distributors with Art Green and Joan Bannister. The business expanded quickly, largely in part through Elmer’s ingenious card system for choosing residential paint colours, and the hard work and dedication from both Art Green and Joan Bannister.
In 1949, Elmer Stevens stopped leasing the two stores on Quadra for Island Paint Distributors after he purchased the entire building. Elmer and his wife, Dorothy Stevens, then changed the name of the company to Stevens Interiors Ltd. after obtaining additional shareholders.
Rod Stevens, Elmer’s son, also began working at Stevens Interiors Ltd. in the 50s. Both Rod and Elmer’s innovative vision and passion for design led them to expand the business to include wall coverings and fabrics. Elmer and Rod jointly decided to completely renovate the building on Quadra, allowing them to expand their store and the store’s collections in the 70s. At one point, Stevens Interiors Ltd. housed the largest in-store selection of wall coverings in all of Canada!
Elmer’s vision has been passed down through the years, first to his son Rod Stevens, and later with Rod’s partnership with Wendy Marley and Len Thomas to create Design One-Stevens Interiors. This vision continues to live on in the heart of the current owner Linda Hutchinson, who first began working with Stevens Interiors Ltd. in 1989. Here, Linda had the honour of working with Elmer, Rod, and Art Green, and later Wendy Marley when Stevens Interiors Ltd and Design One merged in 1996.
Also sharing in this vision are our wonderful designers Carole Hutchinson, Devon Anderson, Helen Faustino, Katherine Roberts, Rita Edwards, and our office manager and photographer Jennifer Norman.
Design One Stevens Interiors has been serving Victoria for decades. Stevens Interiors was first incorporated 75 years ago in 1949 by Elmer Stevens; his son Rod Stevens started working here just a few years later. Their friend Len Thomas and Wendy Marley founded Design One Interiors in 1988. Nearly thirty years ago these two firms, each with their own impressive legacies, amalgamated to create Design One Stevens Interiors, a studio known for its exceptional design, innovation, and customer service.
Elmer grew up in Victoria and first discovered his passion for paint when working for the British America Paint Company (BAPCO) at Laurel Point in the 1930s. It was there he met and then married Dorothy (Dolly) before serving in WWII. Upon his return he continued to work in the paint industry and in 1949 opened Island Paint Distributors with friends Art Green and Joan Bannister. The business grew quickly and soon added additional design services. At this point they changed the name to Stevens Interiors, Ltd. to better reflect their now diverse design services.
Elmer’s son Rod began working at the studio with his father in the 1950s and their innovative vision and passion for design led to expanding into wallcoverings and fabrics. At one point Stevens Interiors housed the largest in-store selection of wall coverings in all of Canada. This legacy of design excellence and hard work has been continued over the past decade by the current owner Linda Hutchinson, a long-time team member who started at Stevens Interiors in 1989. During her tenure here she has had the privilege to work with and learn from Elmer and Rod Stevens, Art Green, and Wendy Marley.
Today the studio has a vibrant mix of experienced experts and innovative young minds all working together to push Design One Stevens to even greater achievements. Prioritizing client relationships, exceptional quality, and innovative design solutions, the team at Design One Stevens Interiors works hard to continue the studio’s legacy of excellence and creativity.
