Ceramic artist Heather Fahle and husband Manfred with Bayside Group’s Ray White Aidan Oke after the $1.425 million sale. Photo: Ray White Media
A Mordialloc mansion designed by a ceramicist and her husband, just 100 meters from the beach, has been sold at auction, marking the end of a 27-year chapter for its owners.
Heather and Manfred Fahle built the three-bedroom house at 1/10 Bay St in 1998 with the help of an architect friend who was inspired by French industrial design.
It features high ceilings, wooden finishes and glass walls that flood the interior with natural light.
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Ms Fahle said the house was designed to feel simple, calm and timeless.
“Those large industrial windows were our architect’s signature,” she said.
“They flood the space with sunlight and make the garden feel like part of the living room.
“It’s simple, elegant and completely us.”
The light-filled dining area opens onto lush courtyards, with polished Sydney bluegum floors and maple accents providing warmth.
The upper terrace catches glimpses of the bay, a serene spot for morning coffee or sunset gatherings.
The property sold for $1.425 million when three bidders contested Saturday’s auction.
Two couples went head-to-head from an opening bid of $1.3 million before the hammer fell $75,000 over the reserve.
“It’s bittersweet to let it go,” Ms. Fahnle said.
“It’s uplifting to see a young couple moving in with passion. It feels like we’re passing the torch.”
The home’s living and dining areas open onto landscaped courtyards featuring Ms. Fahnle’s own ceramic fish sculptures.
Designed in 1998 with a French-inspired industrial touch, the house combines glass, wood and light in timeless harmony.
A handmade ceramic sculpture by Heather Fahle sits on the dining table, a nod to the artist’s creative touch throughout the home.
Polished Sydney bluegum floors and maple joinery complement the lime green kitchen backsplash and minimalist finishes.
“Art is all about light,” she said.
“Inside there is deliberate simplicity, no carpet, clean lines, so that the architecture becomes a backdrop for creativity.”
Ray White Bayside Group agent Aidan Oke said the result demonstrated the strength of the Mordialloc market, where demand for beachfront homes continues to outstrip supply.
The modern bathroom continues the minimalist theme, with soft neutral tones and clean architectural lines.
Private courtyards and landscaped gardens create a tranquil retreat just moments from Mordialloc Beach.
“There are only a few hundred houses on the beach side of the Nepean Highway, so the scarcity creates stiff competition,” Mr Oke said.
“To see a 26-year-old townhouse reach the price of $1.4 million, while new construction nearby costs between $1.6 and 1.7 million, shows how tight the market is.”
Mr Oke said downsizers and empty-nesters dominated the campaign, attracted by Mordialloc’s cafe culture and walkability.
The spacious master bedroom opens onto a balcony surrounded by sea breezes and green views.
A vibrant lime green backsplash and stone countertops bring playful colors to the open kitchen.
“People can walk to the beach, restaurants and the station. That lifestyle is priceless,” he said.
The Fahnles are moving permanently to Phillip Island, where their holiday home, designed by the same architect, will become their new base.
“It’s about slowing down and embracing a more peaceful rhythm,” says Ms. Fahnle.
“I have already started teaching ceramics there. It feels like the right next step.”
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