6 THINGS WITH CAROLINE UTZ

6 Things with Caroline Utz Associate Editorial Director of MyDomaine and The Spruce

Growing up, Caroline Utz always knew she wanted to become a writer. Writing has always been Caroline's first love, and after majoring in journalism, she couldn't think of a better job than writing about design. Her story is incredibly unique to share because she has successfully written her future. Today, Caroline is Brooklyn-based and is the Associate Editorial Director of two large and well known media companies, MyDomaine and The Spruce. 

1. What started it all for you?

I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but I wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like. I grew up reading home magazines like Southern Living and Good Housekeeping, and I applied to every magazine editorial assistant job I could find after I graduated college. I stayed in New York for a couple of weeks in the summer, had a few interviews, but no luck. I had to go back home to Indiana as I continued to apply for jobs (and as anyone who has tried to job search in NYC will tell you, that’s not ideal).

Armed with a borrowed Jersey City address on my resume, I had almost given up on this dream when I got an email from a recruiter at Hearst Magazines hoping to fill an editorial position in the shared home departments of Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and Woman’s Day. I packed up again, headed to New York, interviewed, and got the job an hour or two later. With no place to stay, I crashed on my friend’s couch for about a month (thanks Katie!) as I started work and searched for an apartment. After almost two years there, I got an opportunity to work for MyDomaine, a truly special design site, and I’m now the associate editorial director of MyDomaine and The Spruce.

I fell into design by accident, but I’m so glad I did. I remember my mom redecorating our house when I was little, and I loved going on those appointments with her to look at different fabrics and wallpapers and see how it all comes together. While my first love is writing, I can’t imagine a better job than writing about design.

2. What drives your creative spark?

Curiosity and a hunger to learn are all things that keep me going in this job. There are always new trends to discover, design history to learn, and plenty of talented designers and writers to meet. I want to help our readers make their home feel like theirs. Knowing that our site can help others discover beautiful design and how-tos is priceless.

3. Most treasured home decor item?

My most treasured home decor item is a black and white photo of my grandparents on their wedding day. It has a place of honor in the center of my mantel, so anyone coming into our apartment can see it right away. It’s a candid black and white shot of my grandparents looking into each others’ eyes in the backseat of a car after they left their ceremony, and it’s a picture of total love and devotion. Adding pieces of family history to a home makes it incredibly personal and special.

4. What’s the best advice you've ever received?

The best advice I’d ever received is to “decorate slowly”. I like things to be “just so,” but the coolest spaces come together when the owners have taken time to collect and curate the items in their space. I just moved to Brooklyn in October, and our new place feels like home, but it’s nowhere near finished yet. It’s fun to watch the place slowly come together with items we’ve chosen together.

5. It's 5 o'clock at home. What would you be pouring?

Lately, I’ve been into a Negroni at happy hour, but I’d be neglecting my Kentucky roots if I didn’t mention a bourbon sour or an Old Fashioned (preferably made with Woodford Reserve). Though I love a gin-based cocktail, bourbon always tastes like home to me.

6. What are your favorite 6 accounts that you follow for inspiration?

@mydomaine- of course! Our social editors (hey Jalesa and Emma!) curate the most beautiful spaces and home tours. There’s a green kitchen we posted awhile ago that I still dream about on the daily.

@halfbakedharvest- is one of my favorite follows for fantastic food and drink recipes. Every recipe I’ve made of hers has been excellent.

@reserve_home- has the most beautiful Brooklyn apartment. Her holiday decorations alone are worth the follow, but I'm obsessed with her gorgeous living room, complete with a fireplace and tufted pink couch.

@journeyandjacobs- This Louisville-based design duo creates the most stunning spaces full of vintage finds, and eclectic feels.

@candacemaryinteriors- Candace is such a fun follow - her spaces are glam and always cool, and her behind-the-scenes stories show what it’s really like to complete these massive projects.

@chairishco- is an online vintage furniture marketplace, but their Instagram is a real work of art full of gorgeous decor by top designers.

SHOP CAROLINE'S 6 HOME PICKS

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"Curiosity and a hunger to learn are all things that keep me going in this job. There are always new trends to discover, design history to learn, and plenty of talented designers and writers to meet. I want to help our readers make their home feel like theirs. Knowing that our site can help others discover beautiful design and how-tos is priceless." -Caroline Utz