Gray Benko is the co-founder of Gray Benko Home and star of Magnolia Network’s Happy to Be Home with the Benkos, as well as the star of an upcoming new Magnolia Network series set to premiere in October. Born and raised on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Gray discovered her passion for photography and her keen eye for interior design early in life. She attended boarding school on Long Island, New York, and, after graduating, moved to Tokyo to pursue a modeling career. Gray attended Clemson University and, after realizing that she wanted to pursue an art degree, she continued her education at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and ultimately earned her degree in Photography from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After moving to Summerville, South Carolina, Gray launched a professional photography career, specializing in family and lifestyle portraits. She founded her own photography business in 2009 and gained national exposure through campaigns for brands like Gap Kids and Zara. Her photographic eye naturally translated into interior design when she purchased and began renovating a historic home in 2015. Sharing her bold, whimsical, and eclectic transformations on Instagram quickly drew attention, establishing her as a social media design influencer.

In 2019, Gray launched Farris Does Faces (@farrisdoesfaces) with her then 10-year-old daughter, Farris, on Instagram. The account showcased colorful, imaginative makeup looks, paired with advice from inspirational women, designed to empower young girls. The project garnered national attention, including features on The Today Show and The Washington Post, further amplifying Gray’s creative platform. Gray’s social media success and distinctive design aesthetic caught the eye of Magnolia Network, leading to the creation of Happy to Be Home with the Benkos. Premiering in 2023, the series followed Gray and her family as they renovated historic homes with personality-filled, colorful, and unexpected designs. Known for blending old and new and for her playful, eclectic style, Gray strives to create spaces that are deeply personal, emotionally engaging, and true reflections of her clients’ personalities. Beyond her design work, Gray is a proud mom to her daughter, Farris, and son, Charlie, and shares her home with their beloved dogs, Goose and Tito. She’s also actively involved in her community, recently lending her time and voice to Habitat for Humanity in a commercial supporting their mission.