Happy to Be Home with the Benkos

Wow, so I haphazardly watched season 1 and made it thru two episodes of season 2 before throwing my hands up at yet another questionable home refurb design show. I kept watching and hoping things would center back on normal design-wise but it is a rinse repeat mess/ Take an historic home, kick out all of the interesting old bits and give it a paint job that says "this paint was on sale because reasons" and you pretty much have it. McMansion crackhouses ready for Abe Lincoln to settle in and toast a rock by a purple fireplace. In all fairness the designer cough cough admits she has no training whatsoever (bully for her) and is on this country's downfall of fake it till you make it. Grumpy is surprisingly the most entertaining and knowledgeable of the bunch I found thru the episodes. I don't wish them any specific ill will but in an ocean of people that do this kind of thing, there are certainly better options out there. Better than some shows but still not a great concept.

What a fun happy uplifting show! I love the bright, bold use of color. I enjoy the individual stars, Gray, Mike and of course Grumpy each unique personality shining through. I enjoy seeing the beautiful scenery of an area I have yet to visit, but hope to do soon. I really look forward to each new show every Sunday evening. It is Way to go! I can't wait to see what's next. Well done !

Such fun and creative work at play here. Every week something outside the box. Something I would not have thought about doing, but after seeing it work so well, now I am!

Again so nice to have something fun and happy and bright to looks foward to every week.

Well done one and all !

WHY were the Benko's given their own design/reno show? WHERE does Magnolia/HGTV find these people?? The Benko's have zero experience or talent in this field and it's obvious. The couple is annoying and the wife is a loon, and even admits she has no experience in the design/reno field, as if we couldn't already see that for ourselves. They take these beautiful old, historic southern homes and instead of bringing them back to their previous glory, they RUIN them with awful, garish colors and horrendous design that have nothing to do with the period of the homes. The Benko's and this show are absolutely terrible and are a waste of my time, as so many of the more recent design/reno shows on Magnolia Network and HGTV have been. I find myself watching these networks less and less because there is little to nothing on anymore that is of any interest to me. Enough already.

This is a fun show. The Benkos push design past most other's normal mix of grays, beiges and whites. It is clear Gray has an eye for mixing patterns and colors and it fits in with true southern charm. Most areas in temperate locations in the south don't turn away from color and she doesn't either- I love it. Brings me right back to my roots and offers inspiration along with something DIFFERENT than what's already out there. My own house is more neutral tones and this show definitely adds whimsy to the every day. How can you not be happy in bright, colorful spaces. I also love her inclusion of vintage items. Great job!

If the customer is happy they were successful but the 'designs' created by this untrained interior decorator/ designer are hideous IMO.

The most sensible and likeable character is her father, nicknamed Grumpy but the husband & wife duo seem pretentious to me, especially the woman, Gray. At one point she admits to being untrained as a decorator or designer and states she suffers from Imposter Syndrome. That would be because she is posing as a design professional with a poor concept of how a home and the rooms relate, etc.

Again, if the clients are happy with the outcome she was a success however I won't be along for the garish ride.