Back in April, the Straight broke the news that N.Y. Ink alum and Ami James' protege Billy DeCola had plans to open a studio in Burnaby this spring.

Today, we got a first look at Kiku Tattoo Parlour, DeCola's brand new private studio, which officially opened for business this past Friday—and we love what we saw.

The space, tucked away in a mixed commercial/residential building at Canada Way and Smith Avenue in Burnaby, is private, yet bright.

DeCola's wide range of artwork—a mix of his own pieces, as well as other work including everything from traditional Japanese paintings to Americana tattoo designs—pops against the vibrantly-painted lime green walls. Red booth-style seating and a cozy '70s armchair make for comfy spots to flip through images of DeCola's work, while a large east-facing coated window gives way to plenty of daylight, without giving passersby an opportunity to peer in. 

As of right now, there are two tables set up in the space, but the artist says he has space for up to four artists, including himself. For now, DeCola's happy to be working on his own, but he's hoping to bring in guests artists within the next few months.

"It's great to finally be open," said DeCola. "I'm hoping to get a few guys from Australia and Japan in here in the near future."

When we spoke to the artist earlier this year, he told the Straight the setup for his shop would be very much inspired by Japanese tattoo culture.

"I want the experience to be a little more private for the people that decide to get tattooed here," said DeCola at the time. "That's how it is in Japan—it’s a very sacred thing that you're doing, tattooing your body, and it's not good for me or the tattoo to have constant interruptions." 

Although DeCola has made a name for himself as an artist that specializes in traditional Japanese pieces, he expects that his work at the new shop will reflect the diversity of Vancouver’s population.

Check out the photos below for a peek inside Kiku Tattoo Parlour. The appointment-only studio will celebrate it's grand opening sometime in July. To view DeCola's work, check out his Instagram.