PRESERVATION OF WALLPAPERS AS PARTS OF INTERIORS

Methodological conclusions
From the thesis research, it can be concluded that preserving a
wallpaper in an interior does not always mean preserving it in
situ. Clearly, the best solution is to preserve a historic wallpaper
in the environment where it belongs. However, for the sake of
better preservation it is sometimes justified to remove it and
exhibit it in a new environment.
Depending on the level of decay and the aim of the treatment,
several conservation scenarios can be developed. In addition,
it should be kept in mind that a conservation scenario should
allow for both the preservation of a historic wallpaper and for
the further use of the space where it is exhibited.
In the case of numerous possible conservation scenarios,
each one needs to be considered and analysed carefully. In wallpaper
conservation, two types of decisions are made: methodological,
about the materials and techniques, which mostly are
objective considerations, and decisions about the aesthetics of
an object, which are highly subjective. However, as mentioned
above, subjectivity can be reduced by thorough knowledge of
historic styles and interiors.
To decide between opposing approaches and to avoid mistakes
caused by personal preferences, discussion among all of
the parties involved in a conservation process should lead to
an appropriate solution. Moreover, the negotiations should be
held throughout the whole conservation process, as all relevant
decisions cannot be made at the beginning of a project.
As only one overall conservation scenario can be chosen,
others have to be excluded. Since each scenario leads to a certain
visual impact, a choice is made on behalf of a certain appearance.
Even though other scenarios are excluded, they should be
described in the documentation to avoid a one-sided view of the
whole process. To illustrate the possible impact of excluded solutions,
the omitted appearances can be presented visually. Digital
visualizations provide good comparative material for those in
charge of making decisions during a conservation process, as
well as for specialists of subsequent generations who might work
on the same object. The visualizations illustrate the process of
decision making and help to explain why a certain scenario was
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