This family home has worn many hats over the years. Now, the duo behind a Melbourne institution are selling their family home that's honoured a lost loved one while providing a healing sanctuary and a creative workshop.
When renowned Aussie hatmakers Leanne Ayache and Tibor Gyapjas considered buying their now-cherished inner Melbourne home in 2011, people "laughed their heads off", Ms Ayache said.
"They wandered through the home saying, 'Who on earth would ever buy this place?' The bathroom looked like Jurassic Park; there was paint peeling off the walls and mould everywhere. But we loved the beautiful big liquidambar tree out the back."
Leanne Ayache and Tibor Gyapjas are the duo behind Carlisle Hats in Melbourne. Picture: Supplied
There was another reason they bought the freestanding 1920s home at 25 Lucan Street, Caulfield North.
Ms Ayache's sister Sandra was battling terminal breast cancer, and the couple had agreed to raise her boys, then 11 and 15.
25 Lucan Street in Caulfield North is going to auction with a price guide of $2m-$2.2m. Picture: realestate.com.au
They parted with around $1.12m and set about making a home for the boys while renovating the home to honour its heritage.
"The stained glass is original and there's beautiful fretwork and ceiling roses. And all the timber floors are beautiful," said Ms Ayache.
An open plan living, dining and kitchen area opens to a new outdoor deck and outdoor sanctuary. Picture: realestate.com.au
"We made sure our kitchen extension was in keeping with the rest of the house and we've just built a stunning new Blackbutt deck."
The kitchen features bespoke cabinetry, stone benchtops and premium appliances. Picture: realestate.com.au
She's also poured her heart into the garden, where she and Sandra once toiled side by side.
"I spent a lot of years after she passed gardening because it reminded me of her."
Yet this place has offered the creative couple far more than a family sanctuary.
Original features include Baltic pine floors, decorative ceilings, ornate cornicing and stained glass windows. Picture: realestate.com.au
Around five years ago, it became the base for their urban fashion brand Carlisle Hats, which closed its doors on Carlisle Street in Melbourne's inner suburb of Balaclava after 20 years.
"Before Covid, we made the decision to shut down the business and make handmade hats because we sensed people were wanting something a little bit different, something bespoke," Ms Ayache said.
The family home became the base for their handmade hat business after they shut their Balaclava store of 20 years. Picture: realestate.com.au
The hat business lived in one of the bedrooms then the dining room. Recently, the couple relocated their workshop to the garage and their office to the adjoining studio as they prepped their home for sale.
The hat business lived in one of the bedrooms, then the dining room. Picture: realestate.com.au
"Customers like the personability of coming to our home where they can see all the ribbons and pick what they want," said Ms Ayache.
"And they always say what a beautiful place it is. There's green everywhere; it's very relaxing."
The spacious home features a separate dining room with tiled fireplace and sliding doors. Picture: realestate.com.au
This elegant rear north-facing home, on the market for around $2.2m, boasts four bedrooms, the master with ensuite, a separate dining room and a rear living zone and kitchen that flows to an entertaining deck, level lawn, studio and garage.
A garden retreat with laundry and bathroom connects to the double garage with laneway access at the rear. Picture: realestate.com.au
Plenty of room for a workshop. Picture: realestate.com.au
Baltic pine floors, decorative ceilings, ornate cornicing, exposed brick walls and three fireplaces define the gracious interiors.
The stone kitchen features a servery for al fresco dining, the external studio (with laundry and walk-in shower bathroom) would suit a gym, teen retreat or office, while the garage has rear laneway access.
The private backyard has a mature liquidambar tree. Picture: realestate.com.au
Agent David Sciola at Jellis Craig expects the home's character, single-level layout and private backyard to be a hit among both upgraders and downsizers alike.
"It's light, spacious and airy and the couple have put so much effort into this home; it's very charming."
Nearing 60 with the boys having long left home, Ms Ayache and Mr Gyapjas plan to downsize nearby — close to their clients, perhaps somewhere with space for the hats or they'll rent a separate retail space nearby.
The creative couple plan to downsize locally. Picture: realestate.com.au
For Ms Ayache, parting with the home will be an emotional sting.
"For the boys, this is their family home and in the front garden, I planted a tree in honour of my sister.
"I've still got her ashes here in an urn; she'll be helping us sell this place."
The home has worn many hats. Picture: realestate.com.au
She's not worried about her hats, though.
"The hat business is fabulous here, but it'll be even better somewhere else."
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