Behind The Boards: Architect Stephen Akehurst

Designed to feel like home: Stephen Akehurst on enduring style

For architect and designer Stephen Akehurst, a successful home is about more than how it looks. It is about how it feels to live in.

As Principal Partner of Melbourne-based architecture and interior design practice Akehurst Owen Cimino, Stephen has built a career around creating traditional residential homes with a contemporary edge — spaces that are purposeful, comfortable and designed to endure.

That philosophy is reflected in his own apartment, where considered materials and timeless design come together to create a home that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

 

 

“I wanted the apartment to be very stylish and contemporary, but I also wanted it to feel like home. When I get home at night and I kick off my shoes and I light the fire, it’s a wonderful environment to be in, and the floor is the thing that makes it.”
-Stephen Akehurst, Principal Partner, Akehurst Owen Cimino

The foundation of a home

For Stephen, the floor plays an important role in establishing the character of a space. It is one of the elements that connects the architecture, interiors and everyday experience of a home.

In his apartment, the rich, understated character of Royal Oak Floors’ Smoked & Black flooring from the Architect Collection provides a distinctive foundation for the contemporary interior — adding warmth and depth while allowing the architecture and furnishings to evolve around it.

And this is a floor Stephen knows well. Having lived with the flooring for 18 years, he values its rich tonality, timeless style and durability.

A timeless design

The challenge with contemporary interiors can be creating a sense of warmth and permanence alongside clean lines and modern materials.

Stephen’s apartment demonstrates how those qualities can coexist. The flooring brings a natural, tactile element to the space, helping to soften the contemporary aesthetic and create an environment that feels comfortable and lived-in.

For Stephen, home is ultimately about connection and relaxation — sharing time with friends and family, switching off and taking the time to rejuvenate.

It is this balance between style and liveability that continues to inform his approach to design.

A floor that stands the test of time: 18 years of Royal Oak Floors

Eighteen years on, Stephen’s choice of Smoked & Black remains as relevant as ever.

Its depth of colour and natural character complement the apartment’s contemporary aesthetic, while its enduring appeal reflects a broader design philosophy: choosing materials that are beautiful today, but designed to remain beautiful for years to come.

For someone who specifies flooring as part of creating enduring residential architecture, Stephen’s own home offers a personal testament to the value of choosing well.