Send us Fan Mail He turned a midnight idea into a business trusted by designers, architects, and collectors in 40+ countries, growing what his dad started 50 years before. Today his studio sources sustainable, luxury hides in France, has them tanned in Italy, then hand assembles every piece in Austin into custom rugs and wall art for some of the most discerning names in interior design. On this episode of Front of Book Texas, we sit down with Austin-based designer and entrepreneur Kyle Bunting to trace how a childhood memory of his dad’s hide art became a globally recognized, made-to-order luxury design studio known for custom cowhide rugs, bespoke rugs, and intricate hide wall coverings. Kyle shares the real origin story behind the business, including the late-night “aha” moment that changed the direction of his career, and explains why the studio has remained intentionally made-to-order and built around collaboration with leading interior designers, architects, and clients. We go behind the scenes of what it actually takes to scale highly customized luxury design without losing the craftsmanship, creativity, and soul of the medium. In this conversation, Kyle unpacks: • How lessons from his early career shaped his work ethic, leadership, and approach to business • The origin of Kyle Bunting’s signature hide rugs and wall coverings • Why designer collaboration is at the heart of the brand • How the studio manages everything from rush projects to commissions that take years • What Kyle means by “need time pricing” and how it changes the conversation around custom work • How pricing works in custom rugs, including square footage, materials, complexity, and craftsmanship • The evolution from high-end residential interiors into hospitality, retail, and workplace installations • How sustainable French hides are sourced, tanned in northern Italy, and transformed into finished pieces in Austin • Why using hides as a byproduct can be part of a more thoughtful approach to sustainable luxury design • The story behind a quilt-inspired collection created with Kyle’s mother, Peggy Bunting, and what makes family collaborations work • Austin studio culture, the importance of showing clients the process, and what happens inside the workshop • Kyle’s candid perspective on AI and how it could help creative businesses manage massive asset libraries and reduce administrative work This is a conversation about much more than rugs. It’s about craftsmanship, entrepreneurship, sustainable design, creative collaboration, family, leadership, and the challenge of scaling a highly personal, made-to-order business while protecting the quality that made it successful in the first place. If you’re interested in Kyle Bunting, custom cowhide rugs, luxury rugs, hide wall art, bespoke interior design, sustainable materials, architectural interiors, hospitality design, craftsmanship, or building a creative business that can scale globally, this episode offers a rare look inside the process. Listen to Front of Book Texas with Kyle Bunting. And if you enjoy the conversation, subscribe, follow, and share the episode so more designers, entrepreneurs, makers, and design lovers can discover it. Thanks for listening to FRONT OF BOOK TEXAS with Kristie Ramirez New episodes drop every two weeks. FOB TEXAS explores the people shaping lifestyle & culture and the place shaping them. For culture seekers, gadabouts, and the Texas curious. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @FrontOfBookTexas. FOB TEXAS A Podcast Where Texas Culture Gets Loud Georgianna Moreland | Executive Producer A Landmore Media Production
