Stephen Marshall-Ward

Owner and Senior Designer

“I have always been in love with buildings.”

Stephen Marshall-Ward has drawn buildings as a form of relaxation and creativity, even in his childhood. When deciding what to study in college, he was equally drawn to architecture and music. Having chosen music, he completed two music degrees and a significant amount of post-graduate work in church music, piano, choral conducting and the pipe organ.

While working for churches, Stephen began helping them with the design of their buildings as well as designing several homes for family members. This led to his eventual establishment of a design and development partnership in Seattle: Marshall & Schneider Design & Development, LLC. While in this business partnership, among other projects, the sanctuary and chapel renovations of what is now All Pilgrims Christian Church in Seattle were completed.

Stephen decided to form his own company, Stephen Marshall Design (SMD) in 1999. Since its formation, SMD has grown to a client base of over fifty clients including residential, commercial and church design. Recent developments have included designing furniture - including church furniture and religious art - and significant growth in the areas of consulting with churches regarding their acoustics. Stephen is passionate about his work as he helps people fulfill their dreams.

Myrna Morey

Associate Designer

Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, married to Paul and mother of two young sons, Myrna studied Interior Design at Bellevue Community College. This she did for her own enjoyment, not as a profession, since she was fully involved with her husband's Salon/Spa business. Paul's career and international associations had afforded them travel opportunities that revolved around fashion and design, so architecture, art and the fashion world served as a constant inspiration in living an artful life.

Following the sale of their business, Myrna began her own Interior Design business, which was a wonderful "new career" that gave new meaning to "I love what I do". Myrna met Stephen Marshall-Ward while attending the same church, and the rest is design history, as they join creative minds and enjoy the design process together and with their clients.

Myrna still loves what she does...there is always something new to discover, and the pleasure of working with clients is a source of constant gratification that she treasures. "Making them happy, is a successful project, that makes me happy."

Sharon Ryder

Executive Assistant

Sharon came to work at Stephen Marshall Design as a part-time administrative assistant in 2006 after getting to know Stephen through singing in his church choir. Since then she has had the opportunity to organize the office after SMD moved from Seattle to Lynnwood, develop forms and systems for tracking project finishes, and gather the documents and photos needed for the entry into the Seattle Design Center NW Design Awards.

Now as full-time Executive Assistant, Sharon is working on the development of the online store and continuing to streamline and develop procedures to keep the office running as smoothly as possible. She loves working at SMD and supporting Stephen and Myrna behind the scenes.

When not chasing after her two boys, James and Braden, Sharon enjoys music, reading, gardening and taking in local theatre productions with her husband, Andrew.