What inspired you to further your studies in conservation and restoration?

I’ve always loved to paint, draw and play around with colour. During a school trip to Florence, Italy, in my teens I watched some restorers working on a Donatello statue in one of the halls in the Uffizzi gallery. I remember thinking how fascinating it was to be involved so closely with works of art.

Before pursuing this dream I read for a degree in art history at the University of Malta since at the time there was no specialised course locally. After graduating I moved to Florence where I spent three years studying the conservation of paintings on canvas and wood.

Soon after my return to Malta, I started to work at the Malta Centre for Restoration, which had just opened, while continuing to study and research. I spent a year-and-a-half in Rome studying and working at the Church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti. My experiences also included stints in Paris, at the Basilica di San Francesco d’Assisi, in Assisi and at the Centro Nazionale della Ricerca in Padova.

Later I read for a Master’s degree in conservation of Maltese baroque wall paintings and a second Master’s degree in authentication of paintings using specialised scientific equipment at the University of Valencia.

When did you set up The Art Boutique and what have been your major projects to date?

I set up The Art Boutique last year, after working with Heritage Malta for 12 years. The foundations of the company are years of experience and involvement in a number of prestigious restoration and conservation projects.

At The Art Boutique, we choose our treatments carefully and spend a lot of time investigating and researching the history of an artefact before starting on the conservation or restoration process.

We have worked on a number of interesting conservation and restoration projects, including a painting by Mattia Preti and his bottega hanging at the Cathedral Museum, Mdina, the titular painting attributed to D’Arena in the Chapel of St Paul, San Pawl Tat-Tarġa, some artefacts from the Church of Our Lady of Victory, Valletta, including an organ case, painted coat of arms, and beautiful liturgical vestments with the coat of arms of Grand Master Pinto.

We are currently working on a number of artefacts from the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, St Julian’s, including an elaborately painted wooden altar and the titular painting possibly painted by Gian Nicola Buhagiar, and an early 16th-century canvas painting depicting Apollo and the Muses at the Manoel Theatre.

Various artefacts and materials need different restoration techniques – how diversified is your team at The Art Boutique?

The Art Boutique offers a professional and efficient service thanks to its team of local and international experts, who are constantly researching the various methodologies developing internationally. Besides the professionals employed on a full-time basis, we collaborate with a network of qualified consultants, branching out to international colleagues who work with us on various projects in Malta. We also collaborate with art historians, conservation scientists and conservation technicians.

Upcycling furniture has become quite a popular venture – but with Atelier, you have taken it to another level.

It all started with a love of antiques, old things and anything beautiful. I’ve always enjoyed turning furniture around and upcycling it. Then last year, while pregnant, I decided that I wanted a different nursery for my baby. I looked around and finally found a vintage compactum and dresser. These needed to be sanded down, painted with low-toxin paint, and adapted for today’s needs with a changer and storage space.

This started me off and I eventually set up Atelier. Conservation and restoration is a science and doesn’t allow for any form of creativity. With Atelier, I finally have the chance to express my creativity and passion for vintage furniture. I create new pieces using a combination of antique and vintage items like furniture, lamps and objets d’art.

There is also the satisfaction of transforming an ordinary cabinet into a work of art and reclaiming old treasures through a modern interpretation.

The essence of Atelier is to offer a covetable changing stock of wonderful vintage and retro pieces. This upcycling process isn’t just a way of saving money, but also of acquiring a unique piece.

The fact that I have studied conservation and restoration is a great asset as part of my training included technical knowledge and manufacturing techniques. This helps when it comes to deciding what goes together and possible reactions of materials. To achieve certain effects I use varnishes and paints which are mainly used for conservation. Knowledge of paints also helps me to be selective and only use paints with low toxic components.

Does the process of reviving old pieces add to their value?

If something tired and boring becomes aesthetically pleasing, then it certainly adds to its value.

How personalised can these items be?

At Atelier, we offer a bespoke service. We look at the space the furniture will be placed in and discuss the project with the client.

Also, items can be made or customised to order. These pieces can be personalised according to your taste. If, for instance, you have a tired-looking old cupboard that you still don’t want to throw away, we can change its style and paint it in any colour you fancy.

What are the more popular items that lend themselves well to this process?

I believe everything has potential especially if made of wood. Obviously we also check the condition that a piece is in. This is another asset of being a conservator and restorer, as I can make sure that a piece is strong enough to withstand any changes and start a new chapter in its life.

Erika Falzon, 38, is an art historian who specialised in the conservation of canvas, wood and wall paintings, and in the authentication of paintings using non-destructive analysis. Falzon is also director of The Art Boutique.