Kyle Huntoon

Hunt & Noyer

What is Hunt & Noyer?

Hunt & Noyer is a custom furniture and woodworking business located in Detroit. We produce original furniture designs,  custom commissions for commercial spaces, and a line of home and men’s accessories. Our focus is on functionality and well-built furniture that will last for generations.

I was trained in Maine and am a fourth generation woodworker. I grew up in Jackson, MI and after moving away for college and working as a civil engineer, I returned to Detroit in 2013. I knew Michigan, with its rich history of furniture design, was where I wanted to be.

What was your experience in Build Institute?

Build helped keep a fire going under me. I knew I needed to work on the business side of my project, but sometimes it’s hard to motivate yourself to do that alone. I had already launched my business before starting the class, but I was operating without any structure. It was great to be in a room with people who were really motivated, and to get that feedback from my peers was definitely necessary. It’s scary to put your business down on paper, but once I did it I realized I was selling at the wrong price and was able to make adjustments. Build really helped me define what I do.

A custom piece by Hunt & Noyer

A custom piece by Hunt & Noyer

“Build helped keep a fire going under me. I knew I needed to work on the business side of my project, but sometimes it’s hard to motivate yourself to do that alone.”

What are your most recent developments? 

I will be in the American Craft Exposition in Chicago from Aug 22 – 24th.  I have a new line of tables in in the works that you can see onHuntandNoyer.com, and I’m collaborating with other businesses in town, like Detroit Denim. I initially moved into Ponyride in Corktown, which was a really good learning experience, and now I’m in a shared space in Thick Air Studios on Cass. I also worked on the real estate signposts for the City of Detroit’s Building Detroit initiative. You can also find me during the holiday season at the Detroit Urban Craft Fair, and other “DIY/Indy” art fairs.

What’s your long term vision?

I’m planning on moving into a larger permanent space and will hopefully acquire machinery to scale up my operations. I’m getting more serious about the production side of things, but will maintain a level of custom detail and handmade quality that other woodworking shops don’t really offer.  Even though I’m planning on growing, I want to stay small and remain focused on the craftsmanship and meeting the needs of a broad client base.