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Warne Ballroom at the Cosmos ClubHistoric Preservation

The Townsend mansion was renovated c. 1900 by architects Carrère and Hastings and interior designer Jules Allard et Fils. More than 100 years later, the Cosmos Club sought to restore the mansion’s Louis XV-style ballroom by addressing moisture issues and outdated repairs. The goal was to conserve much of the historic fabric while preserving the character of the room as it was from 1901-1915. Restoration work was completed within 9 months. All plaster elements were restored without guesswork by repairing in place or using molds for replication. Paint analysis revealed 3 gilding types: water, oil, and Roman. The team used solvents to reveal the original gilded finishes in many areas. Where solvents were unsuccessful or the original gilding was damaged, those surfaces were re-gilded using traditional materials and techniques. Sconces were rewired and restored with crystal elements matching those of the existing chandelier. Discolored varnish, years of grime, and poorly executed restorations had darkened all the paintings. Dirt, varnish and overpaint were all removed and inpainted with reversible paints.

Aaslestaad

Benson Photography

Plaster Deterioration

Benson Photography

Benson Photography

Gilding

Benson Photography

Benson Photography

Sconces

1910 Photo of the Sconce Inversed to show details Restored

1910 Photo of the Sconces

Restored

Before Restoration After Restoration

Fine Art Conservation

Lunettes before restoration

West lunette before cleaning

East lunette before cleaning East lunette after cleaning

West lunette after cleaning

Tondo before restoration Restored tondo

Restored lunettes

Benson PhotographyAaslestaad

The Ballroom in 1915

Benson Photography