Meet Juliza Castellanos | Owner & Principal Designer at Juliza Design Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Juliza Castellanos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Juliza, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was to build something rooted in freedom, passion, creativity, integrity, and fulfillment. I wanted the freedom to take on projects that align with my values, and I’ve learned that the relationships I build along the way are just as fulfilling as the work itself. Being able to express my creativity and bring people personalized spaces that reflect who they are is incredibly rewarding. I’ve always been driven by the idea of creating meaningful, customized work, and I realized I could offer a much higher level of service and originality by doing it independently. It wasn’t just about being my own boss — it was about setting a standard for the kind of experience and results I wanted clients to have.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
At Juliza Design Studio, I focus on creating spaces inspired by European and mid-century modern architectural elements, layered with vintage details. Whether it’s in the finishing touches — like vases or artwork — or in construction materials like tile, countertops, or furnishings, I try to incorporate a bit of vintage into every project. It beautifully adds depth and a sense of history to a space.

Every project still brings the same rush of excitement. That feeling never goes away. There have been so many moments where my clients and I are literally screaming with joy when tile gets delivered or furniture arrives — and that’s before it’s even installed. So you can imagine how we react once the full design comes together. That kind of joy reminds me that I’m doing what I love, and even when things get stressful, my passion always pulls me through.

What sets me apart is that I show up as my genuine self. Interior design is intimate — you’re being invited into someone’s personal space, and that’s sacred. I always want my clients to feel comfortable enough to be honest with me, even if they don’t like a selection or idea. It doesn’t hurt my feelings — it helps me better understand their taste and ensures the final result is a true reflection of who they are. That honesty turns our working relationship into something more — like catching up with a friend.

And ultimately, there’s only one Juliza. Every person is unique, and I lead my work with that belief — in myself and in the people I design for.

Getting to this point wasn’t easy. Growing up, I struggled with social anxiety. School was hard because I constantly felt judged or nervous about speaking up. I was known as the quiet child, and even outside of school, that anxiety followed me. Presentations were my worst fear — ironic, since now my job involves design presentations all the time. Meeting potential clients can feel like speed dating — first impressions matter, and you want to come across confident and capable.

What helped me overcome that fear was my passion for design. When I’m working on a project, I’m in my own world, and the anxiety fades. It’s still something I carry, but I’ve come so far. Through this journey, I’ve learned that consistency is key, and being open — showing people your personality — helps build the best connections. You don’t have to put on a front. Just be honest, be real, and people will resonate with that.

At Juliza Design Studio, we design homes that reflect who you are. It all starts with building an honest relationship and having fun along the way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting LA for a week, I’d make sure their trip was a perfect blend of relaxing, shopping, exploring, and great food. Here’s how we’d do it:

Venice

We’d start the day walking down Abbot Kinney, grabbing a bite at The Butcher’s Daughter, and checking out all the shops and galleries along the street. Then we’d head over to the canals to admire the unique architecture before renting bikes to ride along the beach path, making stops at stores and viewpoints along the way.

Santa Monica

We’d kick off the day at the Santa Monica Pier, enjoy the rides, grab a funnel cake, then stroll down Third Street Promenade to browse the shops. We’d wrap the day with dinner at FIG Restaurant — one of my favorites.

Pasadena

A must-stop is the Rose Bowl Flea Market — there’s so much to see and it’s nearly impossible to leave without finding something special. Rule #1: always bring a cart. Afterward, we’d explore Old Town Pasadena — full of shops, cafes, and beautiful architecture.

Vintage Furniture Shopping

If you’re in LA, vintage shopping is non-negotiable — especially for furniture. We’d start at The Mart Collective in Venice (a huge warehouse of curated vintage finds), then make our way to Vintage Junction — two giant warehouses filled with unique treasures (some may need a little love, but that’s part of the fun). After that, we’d hit Sunbeam Vintage for some colorful retro pieces, and finish with thrifting in Silver Lake on Sunset Blvd.

Beverly Hills

A stroll down Rodeo Drive is always a good idea — especially at night when the lights make everything feel extra magical. We’d explore the luxury shops and wrap it up with dinner at The Hideaway Beverly Hills — a cozy yet elevated spot to end the night.

Melrose + The Grove

A little retail therapy? Yes, please. We’d start at La La Land Kind Cafe for coffee (because coffee is mandatory), then do some shopping damage at The Grove. For lunch, Alma would be the go-to — a delicious Mexican restaurant that’s perfect after a shopping spree.

Downtown LA

We’d brunch at Perch — you get a beautiful rooftop view of the city while enjoying great food. Afterward, we’d wander through the Arts District, or stop at EightyTwo — a bar-meets-arcade spot where you can play games and sip cocktails at the same time.

Candlelight Concert

For a more intimate and unique night, I’d take them to a Candlelight Concert — beautiful music in stunning historic venues lit entirely by candles. It’s a vibe.

Night Out

We’d wrap up the week with drinks at EP & LP — a rooftop bar with amazing views, great music, and an energy that makes it perfect for a night out.

Overall, LA has so much to offer — from vintage treasure hunts and beach days to rooftop drinks and hidden gem restaurants. I’d want my best friend to experience every side of it: the beauty, the fun, the design, and the culture.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my family for instilling in me an incredible work ethic and for teaching me that relationships should be built on integrity. From a young age, my father always told me I should never have to depend on anyone — that I should build something of my own. That message really stuck with me and shaped the independent character I have today. My mother juggled multiple jobs while still showing up for my sister and me, and both my parents are still some of the hardest workers I know. They taught me that with hard work, you’ll be rewarded.

I also want to give a special shoutout to my sister. Honestly, I wouldn’t have known about interior design if it weren’t for her. A career in interior design wasn’t something familiar to our family, but she came across it during a job interview and came home saying, ‘I think I found the perfect career for you — interior design.’ I was barely in my first year of high school, and to be honest, I wasn’t the best at school. But when I heard that, something clicked. I fell in love with the idea and committed myself to becoming a designer, one way or another. Thanks to my family, I now have the work ethic and determination that led me to build my own company in interior design.

Website: https://www.julizadesignstudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julizadesignstudio/