‘Lower Steading’: Flinders estate by Stephen Akehurst for sale
Famous designer Stephen Akehurst lived in 79 Barkers Rd, Flinders, which displays his signature Hamptons-style flair.
A Flinders country estate showcasing the signature style of former owner and renowned designer Stephen Akehurst is taking a glamorous step onto the market.
The Hamptons-style house at 79 Barkers Rd with a pool and tennis court is being privately sold with a $8.9m-$9.6m asking price.
The property last sold for $2.6m in 2004, according to CoreLogic records.
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Named “Lower Steading”, the five-bedroom stunner has a gated entry, circular stone walled drive, slate gabled roof and farmhouse kitchen with a 1500mm cooker designed by famous French chef Paul Bocuse for the Rosieres brand.
The home’s owner, who asked not to be named, said his family purchased the residence to use as a weekend retreat.
He said they bought Lower Steading from Akehurst who previously owned the property along with his brother.
“We didn’t know Stephen when we bought it, we have since become very good friends,” the owner said.
“We think he’s got a terrific eye for balancing design and liveability.”
Designer Stephen Akehurst previously owned 79 Barkers Rd, Flinders.
The parklike gardens include established trees, stone walls swathed in white hydrangeas and vine-draped arbours interspersed with paved terraces.
The country-style kitchen.
The owner said he and his wife particularly loved the terrace’s Western Port Bay views and 1.51ha gardens.
“It’s a very warm and inviting home, we just love it,” he said.
The man said he and his wife had tried to maintain an acre of pinot noir grapevines on the property, which proved hard as they did not live full-time at Lower Steading.
Instead, they landscaped the area and transformed it into open meadow.
“Stephen said one day, which was very nice of him, ‘I think it looks better the way you’ve done it’,” the owner said.
A grand staircase.
The home is set on 1.51ha.
The house has formal lounge and dining areas.
Kay & Burton Flinders director Andrew Hines described Lower Steading as a “really cool, classic home”.
Mr Hines said Akehurst designed two homes either side of the property, prompting the neighbourhood to be nicknamed ‘little Akehurst corner”.
“People are always aspirational to own a Stephen Akehurst home,” Mr Hines said.
The pool comes with spectacular views.
An aerial view of the property.
He said Akehurst also designed several other houses while he lived at Lower Steading.
“There is a beautiful library or drawing room upstairs where he did a lot of his designs from,” Mr Hines said.
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