Having taken a month long hiatus during the holiday season, Admiral Tattoo recently reopened the doors to their newly remodeled shop, further distinguishing them from other tattoo shops around the city.

Admiral Tattoo is an exclusively custom shop. There is no flash art on the walls for customers to pick a design from because these artists work with each individual customer to create a unique piece of art.

Their artists also stand out for their painting skills and vast knowledge of tattoo equipment.

While the shop has been well known for its talented artists, their facilities were a little cluttered until recently. In the front of the shop an awkwardly angled ceiling hung low over a small front lounge that also served as a storage area.

"It never really felt the way I wanted it to," said Mike Barker, who took over the shop two years ago.

But during the month off Barker and his employees tore down that ceiling to expose a loft hanging over the shop. They built a new staircase and have reorganized that space as an office with a drawing desk and room for storage.

Below in the shop itself, tattoo stations are now well spaced apart on new tile flooring. Piercing will also take place in a private room at the shop now.

Admiral Tattoo has also changed its decor. Soothing baby blue walls are surrounded by dark brown trim emphasizing the shop's cleanliness and vast space. The colors also reflect a new nautical theme in the shop. The railing along the stairwell and loft is lined with boweson ropes which were tied off by a coast guard.

The shops walls are also lined with local artwork. In the future, Barker plans to join the West Seattle Art Walk.

"I'm hoping everything will be really relaxed and open," says Barker. "Mostly I want it to look clean and professional."

Admiral tattoo has also begun offering high grade jewelry made from rare, exotic materials.

"We're stepping it up a notch," says Jameson Shaw, who does piercing at the shop.

Admiral Tattoo is located just off Admiral Way at 4515 S.W. College St. For more information on please visit westseattletattoos.com or call 937-8686.

Rose Egge can be reached at 932-0300 or rosee@robinsonnews.com