53 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen home, don’t you?” “Absolutely.” Benko looked me in the eyes seriously, then let out a knowing laugh before she mentioned fairies seven more times in about 5 minutes. Benko went on to describe the longing she felt for that kind of “magical” character in her home, which is what lured her from a cookie-cutter house to her family’s home in the heart of Summerville’s historic district. In a twist of fate, the house she bought turned out to belong to a long-lost family member — though Benko was from Ohio. It seemed meant to be that this is where she and her family would end up. Personally, I think it was the doing of the fairies — and I’m still not sure she isn’t one herself. The house, like her hair and dress, was garnished in florals, reds and other bright colors. It was impossible not to keep looking around at the carefully curated creations that could have been chaos in the wrong hands. Benko said of her design choices, “Some people have the wrong idea about the show. They think we’re changing these properties, but historical homes were full of color. We are conserving as much of the historical significance as possible.” “There is more restoration than people realize,” her right-hand gal Eastman added. The goal of the show isn’t only for Benko to have a place to project all her creative energy, nor to simply entertain. It is also meant to pay homage to the history of these sacred properties, while respecting the owners’ dreams and userships of those properties. It is about drawing out the color of the past and launching it into the future by a group of people who understand exactly how to do that. The great news is that all the fun playing with color isn’t over. Though season one has wrapped up filming, the team is looking for more beautiful homes to work with in the future. Homes from across the Lowcountry, not just downtown Summerville, are now under consideration. If you would like to see your historic house or guest house remodeled, restored and revamped, you should reach out to Info.GrayBenko@ gmail.com to apply. The team is actively seeking projects now, so don’t hesitate to get the chance to work with a truly unique team to find the hues you never knew you had in you. For those who haven’t yet seen the show, tune in to the Magnolia Network or HBO Max to binge watch. It’s sure to “brighten” up your day and maybe even your living room. Get ready for all the “Gray” you’ll ever need in your life. Charleston Women at Home The Konisky family’s sunroom, decorated by Benko and featured on the show. The Webb family’s breakfast nook by Benko. Photo by Gray Benko. Photo by Gray Benko.
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