Gray Benko is a talented photographer and interior designer based in Summerville, South Carolina. She is known for her whimsical and colorful style, as well as her portraits of her family and friends. She is also one of the stars of the upcoming Magnolia Network show, Happy to Be Home with the Benkos, where she transforms historic spaces with the help of her contractor dad and her husband.
Early Life and Career
Gray Benko was born and raised in Hilton Head, South Carolina. She developed an interest in photography at a young age and started taking pictures of her surroundings and her pets. She later studied photography at the Savannah College of Art and Design and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
After college, she moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where she met her husband, Mike Benko, a software engineer. They got married in 2010 and have two children, Farris and Charlie. Gray worked as a professional photographer for several years, specializing in family and lifestyle photography. She also gained a large following on Instagram, where she shared candid and creative snapshots of her daily life with her kids.
Interior Design and TV Show
Gray Benko’s passion for interior design was sparked by her love of old houses and vintage furniture. She and her husband bought a 200-year-old home in Summerville, South Carolina, in 2019 and decided to renovate it with their own style and personality. Gray used bold colors, patterns, and textures to create a fun and cozy atmosphere for her family. She also incorporated elements of her photography, such as portraits, prints, and banners, into her decor.
Gray’s interior design skills caught the attention of the Magnolia Network, the lifestyle channel launched by Chip and Joanna Gaines. She was invited to host her own show, Happy to Be Home with the Benkos, where she showcases her design projects and her family life. She works with her dad, who is a contractor and goes by the nickname “Grumpy”, and her husband, who helps with the technical aspects. The show is set to premiere in 2023 on the Magnolia app and Discovery+.
Style and Inspiration
Gray Benko’s style is eclectic, playful, and colorful. She likes to mix and match different styles, such as modern, vintage, bohemian, and farmhouse, to create a unique and personal look. She is not afraid to use bright and contrasting colors, such as pink, green, yellow, and blue, to add warmth and energy to her spaces. She also loves to use patterns, such as florals, plaids, stripes, and polka dots, to add texture and interest to her walls, floors, and furniture.
Gray Benko draws inspiration from various sources, such as nature, art, books, music, and travel. She also gets inspired by her own family and friends, who are often featured in her photography and her design projects. She likes to create spaces that reflect their personalities, hobbies, and stories. She believes that design should be fun, expressive, and meaningful.