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Style Q&A: Gray Benko

Style Q&A: Gray Benko
January 2019

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





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!

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

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