Suspended in time

Balma Antiques is based in Montemurlo in Tuscany, Italy and specialises in sourcing eighteenth- and nineteenth-century French objects and furniture. With its main studio space sited in an old agricultural machinery shed, Balma was conceived, say its owners Claudia and Francesco, ‘as an antiques and objets d’art atelier, a space suspended in time where beauty comes to life.’

To create a new visual identity for the company, Florence-based Weird Studio – founded by Edoardo Cantarella and Giulia Tordi – decided to reference the unique nature of many of the pieces that Balma brings into the atelier and sells to its customers.

Balma’s collections can include: Beauronne vases; bistro tables; chairs; paintings; and mirrors. ‘Soft shapes, antique raw materials and one-of-a-kind patinas make every piece delicate, timeless and unique,’ say Weird’s founders.

With this in mind, they created ‘a brand identity with a richly detailed logo, printed on recycled, uncoated paper in an elegant and natural colour with a soft blind embossing. The soft, tactile feel matches the texture and flaws of naturally ageing wood.’

The range of printed material that Weird created for Balma Antiques is supplemented by some elegant digital work alongside a range of imagery provided by photographer Sofia Lalli, which is used across all media. ‘All the objects that enrich our collections reflect our taste and embody the values dear to us,’ say Balma’s owners.