Villa del Balbianello and Villa Fogazzaro Roi have been the focus of an important conservation campaign: historical fabrics, antique carpets, and leather items were entrusted to specialized restorers who carried out restoration and maintenance work, both in the workshop and directly at the properties.

The restoration work involved around ten carpets, approximately fifteen upholstery covers for armchairs, chairs, and sofas, and the leather components of furniture and objects from the collections of Villa Fogazzaro Roi— the residence overlooking Lake Lugano— and Villa del Balbianello, on Lake Como.

The artifacts were in poor condition due to the natural degradation of the materials they were made from, the accumulation of surface dirt over the years, and accidental damage caused by wear from walking and friction.

Both properties are very delicate, with high visitor traffic. For house-museum sites of this type and with these numbers, in addition to the existing protections such as runners, seating barriers, and regular cleaning, it is necessary to invest resources annually for significant extraordinary maintenance and restoration.

In agreement with the Superintendence, the FAI entrusted specialized restorers with the work, which was carried out both in the laboratory and directly at the properties. Visitors were able to observe the restoration of the artifacts in real time.

The Carpets of Villa Fogazzaro Roi

The work on the carpets of Villa Fogazzaro was interesting and complex, carried out by Open Care – Servizi per l’Arte, based in Milan. The washing phase was performed in large basins and was preceded by necessary preparatory operations, including color stability tests and the stitching of gaps with thread to prevent potential damage during immersion. Specifically, the carpets were washed with water and neutral soap, gently blotting without rubbing, then thoroughly rinsed and left to dry in a specially heated environment. This washing phase allowed for the recovery of the original colors, bringing out brighter hues.

The Washing Phase
(photos)After drying, the carpets were transferred to the laboratory, where the restorers worked with needles and suitable threads, dyed as needed, to repair sagging, cuts, missing wefts and warps, and to reconstruct areas of the pile, all while respecting the original design.

Leather Artifacts at Villa del Balbianello
Among the interventions at Villa del Balbianello, entrusted to the Festina Lente Studio laboratory in Bobbio (PC), were the restoration of leather coverings on a group of furnishings. One of these pieces, a library ladder, had raised fragments, peeling, and gaps in the leather covering of the steps. To restore these, molds of the missing sections were made, transferred to colored Japanese paper with watercolor shading in tones matching the original leather brown, and then placed over the gaps.