skyward, each dome adorned with leadlight glass: a repeated sun motif in the central dome and delicate floral motifs in the flanking domes.This layering of symbolism and craft is quintessential Arts and Crafts, reflecting the era’s celebration of hand-crafted detail, natural motifs, and a harmonious relationship between interior and exterior spaces. Tay Creggan’s design encourages visitors to pause, to look closely at each flourish… from the Fleur de Lys, dragons, and phoenix motifs etched and painted across ceilings and fireplaces, to the carved timber gargoyle heads framing the Scottish oak fireplace in the billiard room. Stepping through the front door, which is a masterpiece of hand-carved timber and intricate metal detailing - guests immediately sense the narrative of Tay Creggan unfold. Inside, the gracious hallway opens to the southern staircase, where a stained-glass window depicts a famous Scottish scene, allowing light to scatter in vibrant patterns into the floors below.This subtle orchestration of light and texture embodies the Arts and Crafts belief that architecture and artistry should entwine seamlessly, guiding the visitor’s gaze and experience. Now functioning as the Strathcona Girls Grammar school’s reception – it was once a typing classroom under the care of The Grail, a pioneering effort in women’s education in Melbourne. Its painted plaster ceiling, leadlight windows, and small offshoot rooms with whimsical pockets of light create a sense of discovery, making the space feel simultaneously historic and alive. Walking through Tay Creggan is to traverse time and style. Original timber doors with metal detailing, pressed-metal floral friezes, and copper accents reveal the care with which every material was chosen and executed. The copper family crest above the ground-floor fireplace, adorned with phoenix imagery, nods to the house’s lineage and the artistry of the Arts and Crafts movement. Architectural choices here are never merely ornamental; each reflects the philosophy of integrity, skill, and story. The original house was designed with functionality embedded in its luxury: original servant bells, a storeroom accessible via a trapdoor on the verandah, and hidden access beneath the main stairs offer fascinating glimpses into the operational elegance of a late-19th-century estate. The former ballroom, a jewel of the estate, once hosted orchestral performances for its “Tay Creggan is more than a house; it is a narrative of Melbourne’s architectural and educational evolution” Continued over page 12 Photography by Kirsten Bresciani
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