Merritt Norris
Reinventing Home Design, One Hide At A Time
In the world of interior design, where trends come and go faster than a Texas two-step, Kyle Bunting has built a legacy that’s as timeless as it is bold. Forget the notion that cowhide belongs solely in rustic ranch homes. Bunting has taken this material from the cattle trail to the couture trail, crafting stunning rugs, wall coverings, and bespoke works of art that redefine luxury, one meticulously cut hide at a time.
Based in Austin, the designer’s creations are a vibrant fusion of artistry, craftsmanship, and fearless color, transforming spaces into immersive experiences. Whether it’s a floor adorned with kaleidoscopic geometrics, a statement wall in moody monochrome, or a one-of-a-kind furniture accent, Bunting’s work is as much about personality as it is about precision. His clients, architects, designers, and fellow tastemakers with an eye for the extraordinary don’t just want décor; they want a conversation starter, a showpiece, a moment of unexpected magic. One design follower who shares our love of Bunting’s designs is superstar real estate power broker Bridget Ramey, who often showcases Bunting’s designs in her luxe properties for sale. From the ranch to the Ritz, with a design philosophy rooted in innovation, collaboration, and an aesthetic that ranges from sophisticated to wildly playful, Kyle Bunting has turned cowhide into his canvas and the design world into his gallery. In an industry that sometimes plays it safe, he proves that bold is beautiful, texture is transformative, and a well-placed hide can steal the show, as he shares with our design devotee Merritt Norris.
Early Influences That Led Kyle Bunting To Leverage Hide
Bunting grew up in a smaller, tight-knit family, and has drawn much inspiration from his parents. His mother came from a family of woodworkers and his grandmother an artist. His father came from a region known for its expertise in textiles and where the people always seemed to be up to something wacky and imaginative, what Bunting would refer to as “serial boutique entrepreneurs.” Bunting was constantly surrounded by creative role models and imaginative outlooks, and thus, his own artistic perspectives flourished.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from the University of Texas at Austin, Bunting gained a firm grasp on branding and business building. Little did he know just how far those skills would take him. He soon found himself in the media industry, working alongside his brother, as an executive producer at SKYTV. After some time, they sold the TV business, and with a little more financial flexibility, he decided to invest in something uniquely his own. He sought out Christopher Farr, a highly esteemed designer based in London, to create a custom carpet.
About a year and a half later, and even longer since his days living in his family home in Irving, TX, the idea struck him like lightning from a storm that had been brewing in the distance. Sudden, electric, and impossible to ignore, Bunting remembered an old art piece his father had made from small pieces of hide arranged into the shape of Texas. Originally meant to be sold, this unique piece lingered in their living room, leaving a lasting impression on Bunting. The resurfaced memory of that art piece stimulated a connection to his new custom rug and instilled an excitement to combine the two ideas into one. “It was like a Spielberg movie,” Bunting said, “like going up into the attic, blowing the dust off a box, the music’s magical, and your eyes are twinkling.” After further guidance, he was told he could potentially sell a few of these hide rugs here and there to make some extra cash, but Bunting was devoted to the idea that these rugs had the potential to become something so much more. He wanted to credit his father for the originality, yet his father agreed to gift the idea to him free of charge on one condition. As long as Bunting vowed to dedicate himself wholeheartedly and never take his craft lightly, the concept of hide rugs was all his.
“A million square feet later and 15,000 carpets I think I stood up for it,” said Bunting.
Embracing his profound enthusiasm for hide rugs with full force, Bunting was eventually drawn back to Austin. What better place to sell these unique cowhide decorative pieces than a city known for its vibrant culture and appreciation for distinctive craftsmanship, and where everything from music to design tells a bold and brilliant story? As a marketing and media guy with a pretty keen eye for branding, it’s hard to believe that he didn’t come to this realization sooner.
“People didn’t do what we do before we started doing it,” said Bunting. Taking this unique concept and fueling it with a lot of passion and hard work led Kyle Bunting to be recognized as a world-leading name in design. He’s now known for creating some of the most unique and impressive pieces in the industry. From stunning rugs, unique wall coverings, and stylish furniture pieces, to public art, like the murals that span the walls of Tecovas stores, Kyle’s work continues to push boundaries. Each and every one of his projects reflects his commitment to innovation and artistry.
How Passion Unfolds When Creativity And Collaboration Converge
Over the trajectory of his career, Bunting has had the opportunity to work with many brilliant minds and diverse personalities. As he reflects on these experiences, he’s come to realize that what truly matters is best summed up by the words, “It’s the family we choose,” said Bunting. He acknowledges that this work, or for better words his life, is most proficient when fostering meaningful relationships with designers, clients, artists, and friends. What begins as collaborative projects, soon transforms colleagues into your tribe.
The creative community he cultivates and collaborates with becomes that of a chosen family. He acknowledges that disagreements arise, at times you won’t see eye-to-eye, you’ll do someone a favor, someone else will do a solid for you, and sometimes you do things simply because they’re the right thing to do. Yet, in the end, these projects are the experience of “real life through design,” said Bunting, and working with “the family you choose” is the true essence of his practice.
“We love the uniqueness, the opportunity, and helping designers become successful in their craft,” said Bunting. He’s worked with some of the most recognizable names in Texas and the world, including the designer Fern Santini and photographer Douglass Friedman. What matters most to him is taking care of these relationships, because the collaborative work it takes to create such spectacular pieces is a very intimate process. “You have to service people at the level they want” and always “trust the designer,” Bunting advises.
He strives to surround himself with motivated, inventive individuals who bring creative concepts to the table and inspire him to drive harder. He loves an original angle but remains deeply grounded in the company’s achievements, ensuring they only continue to excel and never minimize their craft. He knows not to push functional barriers with such a niche product or to produce anything that wouldn’t be marketable.
Texture, Truth, And Transformation: Kyle Bunting’s Second Product Launch
After 23 years and a million square feet of hide, Bunting decided it was time for the 2nd product launch in the history of the company. Kyle Bunting will now sell a collection of remarkable creations available in wool and silk. “It’s totally different, but at the same time it’s not,” said Bunting. These new renditions Bunting has crafted are inspired by his original hide products, maintaining a striking resemblance to the designs that first turned heads and kept eyes fixed. The essence of his initial creations remains intact, but each new iteration artistically modifies his concepts, blending timeless techniques with new materials to create something familiar and fresh.
Making beautiful products and servicing people is what Kyle Bunting is all about. He understands that while they’ve had unbelievably large-scale success with hide, these products can’t be used by everyone. To offer more people a product that’s truly extraordinary and effortlessly integrates into their spaces, Bunting thought, “If we had more of the same thing we’re good at, and it’s the easiest way we’re able to work better with our clients, why would we not do it?” Thus, a brand-new extension of Kyle Bunting has been brought to life.
Embracing Design Fueled By Passionate Pursuit
When asked if there is anything he could go back and change throughout the process of building his business, Bunting said “If I could do it all over again, I would.” He acknowledges running into occasional setbacks, obstacles, and situations that may be tough to handle, but that he wouldn’t have changed a thing. It’s clear Bunting is undoubtedly obsessed with his career and endlessly motivated to keep up production and advancements in his work. “We’ve killed it in effort and intensity for design and made a lot of very special work,” Bunting said. “Driving really hard, loving what we do, and feeling like we’re blessed to have a chance to do this for people” is the luckiest feeling according to Bunting. “I don’t want to do anything else,” said Bunting, and as cliche as it may sound, “It’s true that if you really love what you do, and it becomes a passion, it never really feels like work.”
Bunting has made multitudes of exceptional items under the firm belief that he’d “rather be prolific than profitable.” He has no singular favorite project, but a collection of favorite memories from the processes orchestrated to create various works. To him, creating thousands of beautiful designs holds far greater value than making thousands of dollars.
Kyle Bunting has become synonymous with luxury craftsmanship and his name is held in especially high regard. A ‘Kyle’ piece may be highly coveted, but it’s still “the best-kept non-secret,” said Bunting.
