CHARLESTON MAGAZINE'S NEW ONLINE DINING GUIDE
The City Magazine Since 1975

Style Q&A: Gray Benko

Style Q&A: Gray Benko
January 2019
PHOTOGRAPHER: 


Via Instagram, the photographer lets followers (nearly 60,000 of them!) in on life as a mom of two in her enviable old Summerville home. Snag some of her tips and tricks.

Farris (top) gives herself, and pals, colorful makeovers.

Q What’s on the horizon for 2019?
A
My daughter, Farris, and I have been working on a fun project together that I plan to ramp up. I don’t want to say much yet, but it is a photo project relating to the “farrisdoesfaces” hashtag we created on Instagram.

Q Go-to source for children’s clothing?
A
Probably 98 percent of my kids’ wardrobes is from Zara. I often find myself wishing that the pieces came in my size!

Q Home decor secret weapon?
A
One of my favorite things to do is spend the day wandering in and out of the antique malls in Walterboro, finding really unique pieces.

Q Top gallery-wall tip?
A
Don’t rush it—collect things over time that speak to you. If it makes you laugh every time you look at it, even better.

Q What organizational trick helps keep work and family life in order?
A
I bought cardboard boxes from Ikea for our playroom. They were a solution for the many piles of things in our house that we just didn’t have a place for.

Q Who are some favorite local makers?
A
Jackie Robinson of 42 Pressed, whose candles are the best in the business, and Jane Pope, who does delicate jewelry oh so right!

Q Why do you love living in Summerville?
A
There’s something so special about raising our children in a small town. I can get away from all of the downtown craziness, but be right back in the mix in 30 minutes.

Q What wardrobe item do you find yourself in all the time?
A
My black leather jacket from AllSaints—I’ve had it for probably five years now, and it feels like butter.


Resources: 

Photographs by (Benko) Clay Austin & (Instagram shots-3) Gray Benko & courtesy of (candle) 42 Pressed, (box) Ikea, (jacket) All Saints, & (Zara-2) the company