I have found the above brief article very interesting as until recently I had known very little of Irene Ballantyne’s personal history post 1920s. She studied violin not only while in school in Christchurch, but also in Sydney, London and San Francisco at various times.

I would be very interested in hearing from anyone who has documents or other information to share regarding the family.

Regards, Steve Flora … Canberra, Australia floras@netspeed.com.au

Whilst this building might be ‘elderly for your tastes’ and the extensive 1930′s style out of reach for most (remember the Depression?) the kitchen was the core of this home, as in many others. Modern in it’s time (it is interesting to compare it with Margarete Schutte-Lihotzky’s 1930′s kitchen efficiency) it also accommodated a generosity of scale and planning, ready to receive, store, wash, cook and serve farm produce with minimum fuss and economy. For example, the unrefrigerated wall safe and large larder located by the sink.

I note from Galletly’s article that Helmore studied under Lutyens, and that Amelia Earhart, Noel Coward, the young Yehudi Menuhin, and Todd Duncan also performed in the music room at Coldstream. This was a sophisticated home that welcomed excellence in whatever guise and race, extended by dedicated local philanthropy. The gardeners name – Tom Carlton, and that of one of the cooks – a Mrs Worsely – has also been recorded by Galletly, along with two exquisite photographs of the kitchen as it was when new. The full article, and a transcription of Irene’s recipes and hostess advice, can be found in The Aristologist, Number 1 (An Antipodean Journal of Food History), edited by D Galletly, published 2011 by Kawhiti House. If you like houses, like food, like entertaining and history, I recommend it. A house ain’t only about the architecture: how it functions has as much interest to me. Regards (and thanks for creating this site) from Fi.