The colors of time

ANTIQUES SET THE TONE OF A RESIDENCE IN NAPLES WITH A TRULY REMARKABLE LIBRARY. Riccardo de Conciliis had heard about this residence in Naples since his childhood. The previous aristocratic owners were often guests at the home of his family. But he had never seen the house. Years later, he learned that it was up for sale. «The housekeeper had been instructed to let me explore», he says, «so I roamed through the large rooms, in a sequence leading to a large window facing the beautiful garden. The place was understated, nothing ostentatious, almost austere. But I liked it a lot, though I knew it would not be easy to restore it to its original splendor». He also saw the large garden with fountains in volcanic stone and a greenhouse. He realized this was what he had been seeking: a country estate in the historical center of the city. The purchasing process was rapid. When asked about the timing of the restoration, Telemachos Pateris, sculptor and scholar of philosophy, the companion of De Conciliis, replies: «The work has never stopped». In effect the renovation has continued constantly. Over time the owners have also acquired neighboring units. «We needed many spaces, for entertaining, studying, concerts. Besides the historic Cuoco-De Conciliis library, there is a workshop for conceptual installations and symposia», they explain.