The client: Harold Harmsworth, the first Viscount Rothmere, left, seen here with his brother, the Viscount Northcliffe, centre, founded the British newspaper the Daily Mail in 1896. Hulton-Deutsch Collection / CORBIS / Corbis via Getty Images
Harmsworth commissioned Ruhlmann at the height of the decorator's fame, following the construction of Ruhlmann's House for a Collector at the 1925 Paris Exposition. Branger / Roger Viollet / Getty Images
At some point in its history, the wood panelled interior was bleached, draining its Indian rosewood of its original colour. Conservator Jean Perfettini and Agence-France Museums curator Juliette Singer discuss the conservation works. Christophe Morin for The National
Conservator Thierry Palanque holds one of the low-relief carvings by the sculptor Louis Rigal that adorn the panelled interior. Christophe Morin for The National
Part of the interior's international conservation team, the restorer and cabinetmaker Romain Lauchet repairs one of the room's classically-inspired Art Deco columns. Christophe Morin for The National
Over the decades, the room's oak panelling and rosewood veneer has shrunk and cracked and now requires expert repair and conservation. Christophe Morin for The National
Designed for a British newspaper magnate in 1925, the interior of 154 avenue de Champs Elysees in Paris epitomises the work of the French designer Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann. It was acquired by the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2012. Courtesy @Feau&Cie
The room's post-conservation colouring is one of the key questions for the team, who are using precisely tinted mineral wax to polish the rosewood veneer while suggesting some of its original tone. Picture: Christophe Morin for The National
