In This House by Louise Daw Tucked into the heart of our cherished heritage district, 188 Duchess Avenue stands as more than just a beautiful Craftsman-style home — it’s a vibrant reflection of a young couple who now call it home. Lia Karidas and George Skagos moved into their home in October 2024, but their connection to the neighbourhood runs far deeper than a simple address change. They live literally just steps from Lia’s grandparents and within a five-minute radius of her extended family. “It feels like a homecoming,” Lia says, and for good reason. She grew up in this very village, walking the halls of Mountsfield and South, and is currently the Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy at the Grand Theatre—a fitting role for someone so embedded in the creative fabric of our city. LIa met George while living in Montreal, and they always had plans to move to London. George is an interior designer whose work includes projects with Casey’s Creative Kitchens and with a background in design from Vanier and Dawson College in Montreal, he brings an expert’s eye to their three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. They have already been whittling away at redoing their first floor while maintaining a lot of the original cabinetry in their kitchen and layout of the home. And while their design aesthetic is dramatic—deep greens, soft pinks, rich textures—it is grounded by history. Solid spruce doors, original to the early 1910s structure, remain intact. A few pieces of furniture from the previous owner, who lived in the home from the 1970s, have also found their place in the new décor. “There’s something comforting about honouring what came before,” George notes. This house has lived many lives – at one point a triplex – and now flourishes under the care of two people who deeply value both family and the past. The outside of the home dons the name ‘Rose Haven’ at the entryway – a discovery by the former homeowner while strip- ping the exterior. That gentle “rose” legacy lives on in subtle details throughout the home and in the front garden. Their style is bold and eclectic, with expressive colours and textures that give the home a soulful energy. “It feels like a dream,” says Lia. And yet, their delight is grounded in the everyday joys of community life.“We appreciate the seasons here—not just the ones on the calendar, but the rhythms of the neighbourhood itself,” stated Lia. Halloween in the Village,
Christmas in the Village, Gathering on the Green and other village events with all the ease of walkable shops, amenities, restaurants and cafes. As for future plans? The couple is turning their eye towards working on the exterior, where English Ivy has literally taken root in their backyard – a large project to tackle. There’s only one thing missing, they joke: “We were kind of hoping for a friendly ghost or two... but no luck yet.” In a place so full of memory and charm, it’s clear that Lia and George aren’t just preserving history—they’re actively adding to it. And don’t be surprised if this home one day will be featured in Home and Garden , and who knows, there is still time for a ghost to appear.
Page 6 Wortley Villager • July-August 2025
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