| Physical description: | Site and siting:
Greta Winter also wanted double the Council-required setback from the (then dirt) road. Walter Burley Griffin sited the house on the highest point of the original orchard, a position that in 1935 enabled views eastwards to the city and south to the Parramatta River. Typically for Griffin, the house is constructed directly upon the ground, separated only by a layer of tar, then gravel, then timber boards onto which the native cypress pine (Callitris sp.) floorboards are laid. According to acknowledged Griffin expert, Professor James Weirick of the University of NSW, one of Griffin's great enthusiasms was building directly onto the ground, for which he developed a technique with extensive use of bitumen (J. Weirick, pers. comm. 2008).
Garden:
See 'J' below.
House:
A small sandstone and brick single-storey house, with a detached garage in similar style, set in a large open and intact inter-war era garden.
The double pitched overlay roof of 'Super-6' corrugated asbestos cement has wide splayed, dark-stained timber bargeboards and deep overhanging eaves. External walls to sill height are of locally quarried (Telopea) sandstone. Above sill height, natural-coloured cement rendered walls form piers between very fine timber framed window and doors. There are heavy sandstone bookend walls to east and west elevations. A rustic sandstone chimney dominates the front view of the house.
The RAIA describes its style as 'Interwar exotic' and a 'unique resolution of a compact, economic, suburban villa' (RAIA, 1979).
The original clients, Edward and Greta Winter, had 3 stipulations only regarding the design: that the house NOT have a flat roof; that there be no steps and that every bedroom have a washbasin (K Lee, pers comm 2008, Boesel: 2008).
In 1975 Peter Harrison produced a re-drawn plan of Redstone from Walter Burley Griffin's 1935 originals. Harrison renamed the Lounge as Living (room); the Scullery as the Utility (room) and the south-east facing Entry as the Porch. The rooms are refered to below by Griffin's names, with Harrison's following in brackets.
The front and back entrances open directly from the lounge room (living room) and back entry (porch) respectively onto patios shaded by large roof overhangs. It was Griffin's intention that the two entrances should have similar features and not be strongly differentiated. The south east facing entry (porch) was used by Edward Winter as a breakfast room and later by his widow Greta as her sitting room. The front entrance displays the original lettered sign, 'Redstone'.
Original features include:
A) Throughout the house
- all floorings, being cypress pine timber except for mosaic tiles in the bathroom and painted cement render in the scullery (utility)..
- dark-stained timber skirting boards
- dark-stained timber doors
- recessed dark-stained timber casement windows
- unusual square, flush ceiling light fittings throughout the house
- dark-stained timber screens in the dining and lounge (living) rooms and corridor with brass rods
and additionally in the following areas:
B) Lounge (Living) room:
- the sunken fireplace (restored) with its ash pan opening to the outside for ease of cleaning. The lidded excavated exterior opening with its original iron shutter door, is set into the ground at the base of the sandstone chimney.
- a deeply recessed casement window with a planted window box in the western sandstone bay
C) Dining room
- three dark-stained and painted timber French doors that open onto the garden
- a fitted recessed dark-stained timber sideboard with mirror (which includes the original paint finish inside the cupboard)
- cabinetry with a two-way drawer to the kitchen
D) Kitchen
- a twin "German silver" sink, single swivel tap spout and piping (but not the tap handles)
- timber shelving against the window above the sink
- all cupboards and drawers (with a two-way drawer to the dining room) and work top (but not the resurfacing)
E) Scullery (Utility)
- a picture window in the scullery/kitchen wall
F) Entry (Porch)
- a cupboard that originally housed the ice-chest
G) Bathroom
- bath, taps, fittings, wall and floor tiles (but not the toilet, or stainless steel shower base)
H) Bedrooms
- basins, fittings, tile splash backs and mirrored toilet cabinets above basins in each bedroom
- built-in single wardrobes with doors in three bedrooms; two wardrobes and doors in the north-east corner bedroom
I) Corridor
- dark-stained timber shelving (which includes the original paint finish behind the shelves).
J) The garden is generally open in character and typifies larger gardens of the middle class of the inter-war era in its general layout, 'clothed boundaries' and selection of plants favoured. Its main feature is a a large sweep of lawn around the house to its north, west and south. A bank of shrubs near the house's north-west corner separates a smaller rectilinear lawn facing the bedrooms on the northern side of the house.
The boundaries to the house's north, west and south fairly densely planted with shrubs and some trees. To the house's east the garage is flanked by beds and banks of shrubs and some fruit trees and other shrubs are planted on the additional lot to the east.
The garden contains several trees planted by Edward Winter and his wife, Greta. These include: a Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) and a date palm (P.dactylifera), which is a rare multi-trunked specimen (on the lawn north-west of the house); a cape chestnut, a Chinese elm, a jacaranda, a lemon-scented gum and a guava. One fruiting plum tree (Prunus x domestica cv.) from the orcharding period survives to the house's west.
Shrubs planted by the Winters and their daughter Nella Melchert include Camellia japonica cv.s, azaleas, a holly bush near the front door, a white bird-of-paradise flower (Strelitzia nicloae) north of the house and a rare orange-flowered South African wild pomegranate (Burchellia bubalina (syn.B.capensis). The camellia near the Manson Street driveway is a scion from the camellia (C.japonica cv.) at Cliftonville. Three Sydney blue gums (Eucalyptus saligna) planted by Nella Melchert in 1980 have grown out of control and are leaning dangerously over the house.
A list of plants in the garden of Redstone at November 2008 (compiled by horticulturist Stuart Read) is outlined below.
Northern border (northwest of house)
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana;
variegated periwinkle, Vinca major 'Variegata';
Kaffir lilies, Clivia miniata;
azaleas, Rhododendron indicum ('Grandiflora' types in red, pink and white)(Kerry Lee, pers.comm., 2/2/09) cv.s;
hydrangeas, H.macrophylla cv.s;
bromeliads, Billbergia sp.;
prayer plant, Maranta sp.;
crepe myrtle, Lagerstroemia indica cv.
Bed & Border north of house
Low box hedge near house (marking a change in ground level) box, Buxus sempervirens;
2 Chinese junipers (Juniperus chinensis cv.(perhaps 'Skyrocket') in tubs near house's northern facade;
bird-of-paradise flower, Strelitzia reginae;
elephant's ear, Bergenia cordifolia;
ornamental indigo, Indigofera australis;
rose, Rosa x hybrida cv.;
Chinese hibiscus, H.rosa-sinensis cv.;
Queensland kauri, Agathus robusta (seedling, 2m high)(progeny of former kauri tree to north-east of garage, since gone)
asparagus fern, Asparagus densiflorus;
Japanese quince / japonica, Chaenomeles japonica cv.;
Camellia japonica cv.s (the largest specimen was a 21st birthday present to Nella Melchert). Greta Winter sold camellia flowers picked from her garden to florists. (pers.comm., Kerry Lee, 2/2/09);
cast iron plant, Aspidistra elatior;
tree gardenia, Gardenia thunbergia;
dwarf /pygmy date palm, Phoenix roebelinii;
Canary Island date palm, Phoenix canariensis
giant (white) bird-of-paradise flower, Strelitzia nicolae;
jacaranda, J.mimosifolia planted to 'lure' Greta Winter to Redstone, she having insisted on having camellias in the garden (Kerry Lee, pers.comm., 2/2/09);
holly (near front door) Ilex aquifolium cv. (NB: a re-sprout from the original bush/tree);
orchid tree, Bauhinia variegata;
Judas tree, Cercis siliquastrum;
guava (off S-W corner of house), Psidium cattleyanum.
fruit salad plant, Monstera deliciosa;
Cape plumbago, P.capensis;
Japanese/heavenly/sacred bamboo, Nandina domestica;
variegated lemonwood/tarata, Pittosporum eugenioides 'Variegata';
white quince/rambutan, Alectryon subcinereus;
a large Camellia japonica cv. (double pink);
Rondeletia amoena;
Mickey Mouse plant, Ochna serrulata;
spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum;
Cape / peacock iris, Moraea iridioides;
sage, Salvia sp.;
African olive, Olea europaea var. africana (syn O.europaea var. cuspidata);
red and green NZ.cabbage tree/ ti kouka, Cordyline australis (& C.a.'Rubra');
dwarf Nile/African lily, Agapanthus orientalis cv.;
Beschorneria yuccoides;
Adam's needle/Spanish bayonet, Yucca filamentosa 'Variegata';
ladder /sword fern, Nephrolepis cordifolia;
Rhododendron cv.;
autumn camellia, C.sasanqua cv.;
silver banksia, B.marginata (2);
Cape chestnut, Calodendron capense (2)
Weigela florida cv. (?Rubra) (red)
(stump, resprouting, of) black bean, Castanospermum australe (north-east corner of lawn)
Western border
fruiting plum (NB: old tree - last remaining of former orchard which the whole block once was, before/when the house was built), Prunus domestica cv.;
Cape chestnut, as above;
bottlebrush, Callistemon viminalis cv;
Palmer River lily, Doryanthes palmeri;
Indian hawthorn, Raphiolepis indica;
Canary Island/ date palm (multi-trunked specimen), Phoenix canariensis / P.dactylifera;
Cordyline terminalis cv 'Rubra' (red Cordyline);
geraniums, Pelargonium cv.s;
pea flower, Polygala myrtifolia;
Rhododendron cv. (pink);
Palm (either Lord Howe Island palm, Kentia fosteriana or bangalow palm, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana)(too young to tell yet);
Window boxes planted with ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum cv.s).
Southern border
Sydney blue gum, Eucalyptus saligna (2: NB: planted c.1980s by Nella Melchert)(one is in poor condition)
lemon-scented gum, Corymbia citriodora (2: one was here when the house was built, and hasn't grown much; another was planted since and has grown larger);
Chinese elm, Ulmus parvifolia
variegated laurustinus, Viburnum tinus 'Variegata';
umbrella tree, Schefflera actinophylla;
oyster plant, Bellerophone (syn. Justicia) guttata;
Burrawang/cycad, Macrozamia communis;
Photinia glabra;
red orchid tree, Bauhinia galpinii/B.punctata;
frangipani, Plumeria rubra (white);
ornamental indigo (as above);
Thryptomene saxicola;
rose cv. (as above);
Indian shot, Canna indica cv.;
flowering WA gum, Corymbia ficifolia;
native frangipani, Hymenosproum flavum;
golden bamboo, Bambusa sp;
giant bird-of-paradise flower (as above);
christmas bush, Ceratopetalum gummiferum;
blueberry ash, Elaeocarpus reticulatus;
bottlebrush, Callistemon citrinus;
spider flower, Grevillea rosmariniifolia;
bull bay / evergreen magnolia, M.grandiflora;
sago palm/cycad, Cycas revoluta;
Chinese plumbago, Ceratostigma wilmottianum;
Indian hawthorn, Raphiolepis umbellata;
black-eyed Susan/African daisy, Arctotis acaulis cv..;
box, Buxus sempervirens;
cast iron plant, Aspidistra elatior;
(orange-flowered bush, Sth. Africa) Burchellia bubalina (Rubiaceae);
Paris daisy, Euryops pectinatus;
wax flower, Eriostemon myoporoides;
bromeliads (various);
knife-leafed wattle, Acacia cultriformis;
ornamental ginger, Hedychium gardnerianum;
Aeonium sp. (succulent);
spider flower, Grevillea sp.
native mint bush, Prostanthera sp.;
Kermadec Island Christmas bush/pohutukawa, Metrosideros kermadecensis;
Rock lily/orchid, Dendrobium speciousum
Southern side of house
Camellia japonica cv. hedge;
laurustinus, Viburnum tinus;
firespike, Odontonema calystachyum;
ladder / sword fern, as above;
prayer plant, as above;
Beaufortia sparsa;
bromeliads;
Coleus sp./cv.s;
wax flower, as above;
Cape iris, as above;
winter/lenten roses, Helleborus niger / H.orientalis cv.s;
star of the veldt, Dimorphotheca sp.;
black eyed Susan/African daisy, as above;
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana cv.s;
dwarf lily pilly, Syzygium luehmannii cv.;
cast iron plant, as above;
Gardenia radicans;
geraniums, as above;
bear's breetches, Acanthus mollis;
Indian shot, as above;
Nile / African lilies, as above;
crown fern, Blechnum discolor
guava, Psidium cattleyanum cv. (fruiting guava, replaced an earlier plum tree. Greta Winter was a keen preserver of fruit (Kerry Lee, pers.comm., 2/2/09).
South-western side of house
yesterday, today & tomorrow, Brunfelsia uniflora;
montbretias, Crocosmia masoniorum (environmental weed);
black-eyed Susan/African daisy, as above;
cast-iron plant, as above;
asparagus fern (upright), A.setaceus;
azaleas, as above (Greta's grandmothers' varieties);
Indian hawthorn, as above;
golden rod, Solidaster luteus.;
Gardenia jasminoides;
holly, Ilex aquifolium;
guava, noted above
Border west of the garage
azaleas, as above;
Kaffir lilies, as above;
Japanese sacred/heavenly bamboo, as above;
Sargent's juniper, Juniperus chinensis 'Sargentii' (in a pot SE of site)
Drive/ garage, border to east
Large specimens of Japanese sacred/heavenly bamboo, as above;
Drawf mondo grass, Ophiopogon sp.'Nana';
NZ cabbage tree/ti kouka, Cordyline australis (in a pot).
East of the drive (to the garage)
snow in summer, Melaleuca lineariifolia;
bromeliads (various);
pea flower, as above;
Kaffir plum, Harpephyllum caffrum;
Cape iris, as above;
Lantana montividensis;
rock lily/orchid, as above;
Japanese privet, Ligustrum japonicum 'Rotundifolium';
Camellia japonica cv.s (several, including one propagated from a bush from (formerly adjoining) Cliftonville (3cm double 'waratah' form, rose/shell pink);
Canary Island date palm, Phoenix canariensis (intended twin of one on western lawn which has turned out to be multi-trunked);
variegated lemonwood/tarata, as above;
giant bird-of-paradise flower, as above;
crucifix orchid, Epidendron radicans;
Paris daisy, as above;
yellow tree broom, Chamaecytisus sp.(?hirsutus);
bird-of-paradise flower, as above;
tallowwood, Citharexylon quadrangulare;
oleander, Nerium oleander cv.s (several);
Chinese hibiscus, as above;
asparagus fern, as above
Lot 8 (block to east, adjoins rear of garage)
Indian hawthorn, as above;
firethorn, Pyracantha sp;
sweet box, Murraya paniculata;
mulberry, Morus nigra;
avocado, Persea gratissima (2);
laurustinus, as above;
golden Monterey cypress, Cupressus macrocarpa 'Aurea';
Queensland nut, Macadamia integrifolia and M.tetraphylla;
bottlebrush, as above;
mangoes (2), Mangifera indica cv.s |