(Image: Facet & Form)
(Image: Facet & Form)
After nearly a full year of operating under the radar — navigating permits, design, and construction behind closed doors — Facet & Form has finalized inspections and officially launched its soft opening on Capitol Hill.
Located at 1504 14th Ave, the new piercing and tattoo studio is currently accepting appointments, quietly bringing an end to a long period of clandestine preparation ahead of a larger neighborhood opening party planned for this fall.
“We’ve been doing this so quietly and carefully, and it feels good to finally not have to whisper about it,” said co-owner Madeleine Mae regarding the culmination of their year-long, low-profile undertaking.
CHS was on the case.
We reported on early plans for Facet & Form this spring as the auto row-era building once home to American Artificial Limb Co. but transformed coming out of the pandemic by Coldwell Banker Bain into new offices and neighborhood natural wine bar Otherworld was prepared for the new studio.
The studio was founded by three longtime friends and industry veterans: Colin O, Tyler Determan, and Mae. The trio worked together for more than a decade at E Union’s Laughing Buddha before setting out to build a shop of their own. Determan and Mae each bring over 10 years of body art management experience to the venture, while Colin O boasts 17 years of industry experience piercing at studios nationwide and teaching at piercing conferences across the globe.
The piercing team also features LJ, another Laughing Buddha veteran. Between them, Colin and LJ have given many Capitol Hill residents their very first ear piercings over the years. Piercer Vaella Dawn, the newest addition to the team, has also joined the venture.
On the tattoo side, the studio is anchored by Seattle native Ash Jeske, known for her distinct take on traditional tattoo style, and Jillian Karosa, who works across fine line, photorealistic, and illustrative designs. Facet & Form is currently interviewing tattoo artists to fill one additional resident station, while reserving another station for a rotating lineup of guest artists.
The physical studio spans two distinct floors designed to offer contrasting client environments. The upstairs area features a clean, “designer-minimal space,” while the downstairs tattoo studio blends a traditional shop atmosphere with “’70s modern maximalism.” The lower level is bright, open, and colorful, drawing design influences from vintage tiki bars and Midwest church basements, the Facet & Form folks say.
Alongside its customized art services, the shop carries an exclusive line of body jewelry from BVLA, handmade in Los Angeles.
Neighborhood clients looking to finally step inside the once-hidden space can book appointments at the 14th Ave location today as the studio prepares to shed its soft-launch veil for an official autumn grand opening.
Facet and Form is now open at 1504 14th Ave. Learn more at facetandformseattle.com.
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