Leonardo Balli

September 18, 2023
8:40 am

Ladies and gentlemen, today we are truly honored to be in the company of an artist in the realm of design, a name that has not only engraved his mark in the annals of Italian design but has set global benchmarks.

Introducing VIN + OMI, a dynamic duo of fashion designers who epitomize excellence and innovation in the modern fashion world. With their exceptional talent and unbridled creativity, VIN + OMI have quickly gained recognition and admiration within the industry, transforming runways into captivating works of art. Get ready to be mesmerized by their unique vision and extraordinary designs.

Leonardo, your journey from Verona to Ibiza is a captivating one. What was it about Ibiza, particularly the allure of Es Vedra and its cosmopolitan community, that drew you to establish Balli Interiors on the island in 2019?

I left Verona to move to Paris where I had already been working for several years. Paris is a city that offered me so much and would certainly still give me a lot of satisfaction. However, I decided to make a life choice in which not only work would be at the centre of everything. Therefore, without any commercial sense, I decided to move to Ibiza where, in reality, I had no work opportunities or friends living on the island. I have to say that, without a doubt, I felt the call of the island and still today, years later, I get quite emotional when I stand in front of Es Vedra.

Growing up, you were deeply influenced by the worlds of art, design, and construction, with experiences ranging from your father’s construction business to your aunt’s art expeditions. How have these diverse influences shaped your unique approach to interior design, especially in merging the technical with the aesthetic?

Ever since I was a child, I have been attracted by beauty. I grew up

in art and thanks to my father, I started to love craftsmanship and

architecture. With my family, I had the opportunity to travel a lot and

to get to know new styles and cultures. All this has been a fundamental

influence that has made me the person I am.

Every Balli Interiors project is a unique story, tailored to its owner and the soul of the property. As a modern-day storyteller, how do you balance respecting the traditional architecture of a home while infusing it with contemporary trends and your visionary touch?

The architecture of a building or property is an indispensable container from which to start planning, but the design and decoration is a suit that we tailor around our clients. After a detailed interview, we try to understand their tastes and needs. The aim is to create environments that reflect the commissioners’ taste and in which they can live in harmony.

Sustainability and authenticity are evident in your work, from working with respected Italian brands to commissioning artisans for bespoke furnishings and prioritizing sustainable materials. How do you envision the future of interior design, especially in terms of environmental consciousness and authenticity?

Ethics is a fundamental factor in everything I do. Consequently, it is imperative for me to use natural materials that are as environmentally sustainable as possible. Especially when it comes to architecture, priority is given to bio-based building materials. This has been part of my daily work since 2012, when I started to realise my first projects. I believe that the future of architecture and interior design will undoubtedly go in this direction.

You’ve described a Balli Interiors home as a “sanctuary,” and you certainly have a talent for evoking the senses in your designs, right down to the aroma of Ibiza. What are your future aspirations for Balli Interiors, and are there any exciting projects on the horizon that you can share with us?

I owe a lot to this island. When I arrived here in 2019, although I had already been doing this job for several years, it was a new beginning for me. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had and I imagine my future will always be linked to this island. Nevertheless, with Balli Interiors we continue to realise projects in various parts of the world. A dream of mine that I hope to realize soon is to open a new office in Palma de Mallorca.

Lastly, Leonardo, we want to express our immense gratitude for your support of Lotus in our inaugural edition. What does being a part of the Lotus journey mean to you, and how do you see collaborations like these shaping the future of design and creativity on the island?

Lotus is a project that fascinated me from the very first moment. It is an honour and a great pleasure for me to be part of this event. In all the things I do, I always wish for continuity, so I hope that the

Lotus project can be repeated over time. All art forms, including music, are the life nectar for every human being.

Nicholas, your art seems to draw a lot of inspiration from nature. Is there a particular element or aspect of nature that inspires you the most when creating your pieces?
I get a lot of my inspiration from my trips to Iceland and Norway. I’m always at awe when I see the beautiful landscapes and different terrains along the waters edge. Their rock formations and various textures really inspire me and I like to amplify that in my work with a modern twist of color.

You mentioned using matte acrylics, epoxy resins, and bold pops of color in your works. How do you choose the right combination of materials and colors for each piece?

I love using the combination of ultra matte acrylics and high gloss resins together. Not only does it add another element of depth, but it engages the viewer to get up close and personal with the piece to see all of the details in the work. Finding the right colors is always the most challenging part for me, since it can make or break a piece. I spend countless hours in my head trying to decide which colors will work best for the piece. Sometimes the colors are immediate, since it goes witht the concept of the work, but other times, I just like to go off script and experiment with a crazy bold color that I’ve never done before.

Residing in Sacramento, California, how do you think your surrounding environment influences your artistic work, if at all?

Living in Sacramento and having it be in the middle of California, has really been great since I am 2 hours from the mountains and snow in the winter, and also 2 hours from the beach on the west coast. It’s great that I can gather inspiration in any direction and bring that back to my studio in Sacramento. Also, having my own studio in Sacramento has been the most beneficial this year for me. I used to create these large pieces in a 1 bedroom apartment off the small balcony, but now I have the freedom of working on multiple pieces at once which has opened up a lot of creativity for me.

Many people might not be familiar with the art of relief painting. Can you explain the process and what drove you to specialize in this style?

Relief painting was something that I experimented with back in 2010 when I lived in LA. I was creating pieces for a small solo exhibition there and started using plaster as a relief for my paintings. Since this was my first time playing around with that material, I had no idea how to adhere the plaster to the wood panel without it sliding off. So, after many accidents of destroyed pieces, I decided to use epoxy resin to hold the plaster in place, and that combination is how my art style started. Fast forward to 2023, where my technique and skill has evolved into what it is today. I’m constantly learning everyday and experimenting with new materials. I love trying new things and growing as an artist.

Looking ahead, do you have any projects or exhibitions lined up? Can you give us a sneak peek of what your fans can expect in the coming months or years?

Right now, 2023 has been booked up with commissions that flow into 2024. I am going to take a break from Commissions to work on a new body of work next year, so definitely be on the lookout for that. I’m also going to begin collaborating with @Davidnott who I admire, so I’m super excited about that.