When Julio Miranda-Martin began searching for an apartment in early 2025, he had a firm requirement: a dedicated dining room to host gatherings. His search led him to a one-bedroom, railroad-style unit on the edge of West Hollywood that met this need, was within walking distance of his part-time marketing coordinator job at furniture store Lawson-Fenning, and fit his budget of $2,500 per month. After meeting the landlord, who remarked on a resemblance to his own son, Miranda-Martin felt the arrangement was serendipitous and signed the lease on the 950-square-foot second-floor apartment in a fourplex.

Upon moving in, Miranda-Martin undertook two major changes: repainting the walls and upgrading the lighting. Embracing the apartment’s lack of natural light—a result of its location up a windowless staircase—he painted the stairwell a high-gloss crimson and installed sconces purchased on Facebook Marketplace, styled to resemble 18th-century candlesticks. These provide a moody, dim light culminating in an ornate mirror at the top of the stairs, creating a theatrical entryway that friends describe as “cinematic.”

Inside, the living room contrasts with a more tranquil palette of sky blues and earthy browns. The space features west-facing windows with ample natural light, and the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore’s Navajo white. Miranda-Martin showcases furniture he designed through his company, Studio MM, including a large velvet sectional couch in deep brown, Art Deco-inspired side tables, and light blue slipper chairs. Additional seating is provided by pale pink ottomans, creating a comfortable environment for hosting.

French doors lead to the dining room, which is painted in a chartreuse-infused shade to evoke a treehouse atmosphere, inspired by the foliage glimpsed through the room’s small windows. Rather than brightening the space, Miranda-Martin emphasized its moody character by installing inexpensive, battery-powered spotlights tinted amber to subtly illuminate artwork without harsh overhead lighting. The room is anchored by a shell-adorned mirror and flanked by shell-shaped sconces sourced from an estate sale in San Francisco.

Echoing his mix of new and vintage décor, most furnishings and art were acquired through Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, thrift stores, and estate sales. Miranda-Martin notes that estate sales in Los Angeles have become more expensive and competitive, sometimes involving armed security. Window treatments also play a key role in his design; he chose pinch pleat curtains from Ikea to elevate the space’s aesthetic.

The bedroom maintains a predominantly white theme, painted with the same flat white as the living room. With eastern light filtering in, the space feels serene and slightly warm. Miranda-Martin removed the bed’s traditional headboard to create a floating effect and designed accompanying night tables to maintain a streamlined look.

The kitchen retains its midcentury character but features open shelving to display dishware and glassware, reflecting both style and practicality for entertaining. Known for hosting pre-party gatherings and elaborate dinner events, Miranda-Martin credits his upbringing as an only child in Downey for his enjoyment of socializing. He strives to create an inclusive environment where guests from different backgrounds can mingle comfortably.

His friend and co-worker Kristin Reeder describes the dinners at Miranda-Martin’s apartment as occasions that generate excitement and a sense of occasion. For Miranda-Martin, hosting has become a way to combat solitude. “I’m kind of going through a phase right now where I need to be around people,” he said. “I think I just hate being alone.”