Painted Skin: A Tattoo Shop with a Twist

Yalan Zheng's Unique Blend of Old and New School Tattoo Culture

Yalan Zheng's Painted Skin, a tattoo shop in Chengdu, China, stands out with its unique design that blends old and new school tattoo culture. The shop, which won the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020, is a testament to Zheng's creative prowess and innovative approach to design.

Yalan Zheng drew inspiration from both old and new school style tattoos, which originated from the American understanding of traditional and totem symbols thousands of years ago. These styles are known for their concise color schemes, vivid expressions, and rich cultural connotations. To highlight the continuity and compatibility of the new and old schools, Zheng designed the entire space with a rich retro style.

The design theme of Painted Skin is highly consistent with its purpose. Its decorative metaphor and tattoo culture have the same origin, raising the dialogue between architecture and space to the level of artistic exploration and self-examination. The rhythm of the whole space is simple, coordinated, and complementary, creating a harmonious atmosphere for both artists and clients.

The shop's realization technology features an elegant and gorgeous stage and Corinthian Roman column height that restore the delicate, elegant, and magnificent tone of the Rococo period. Despite the simplicity of the furniture style from Van Der Rohe, it integrates well into the background, creating a seamless blend of styles.

Covering a total of 240 square meters, the shop includes a tattoo area that continues the neoclassical dark style, as well as two VIP areas, the Mirror Palace and the Cave. The shop's design tags include Interior, Commercial, Tattoo Shop, School, Neo Classical, Mermaid, Cave, Mirror Palace, and Black, reflecting its diverse influences and design elements.

The project, which started in February 2018 and finished in July 2019, faced several design challenges. One of the most notable was the creation of a skeleton chandelier, which took half a year to make by hand. This unique piece, which hangs from the ceiling, adds a touch of luxury to the shop's dark style.

In conclusion, Yalan Zheng's Painted Skin is a unique blend of old and new school tattoo culture, offering a rich, retro-style space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Its award-winning design is a testament to Zheng's innovative approach and commitment to creating spaces that reflect the essence of their purpose.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Yalan Zheng
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Xinghao Liu, Lobby, 2019. Image #2: Photographer Xinghao Liu, Corridor, 2019. Image #3: Photographer Xinghao Liu, VIP Room, 2019. Image #4: Photographer Xinghao Liu, VIP Room 2, 2019. Image #5: Photographer Xinghao Liu, VIP Room 3, 2019.
Project Team Members: Yalan Zheng Shiyuan Zhang
Project Name: Painted Skin
Project Client: Yalan Zheng


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