Kyle Huntoon, far right, pictured with fellow Ellen’s Design Challenge contestants. Photo courtesy Scripps Networks.
Fans of Ellen’s Design Challenge, the successful furniture design competition series that was first conceptualized by television star Ellen DeGeneres, will get their first look at the 10 talented season two competitors during the one-hour special Ellen’s Design Challenge: Meet the Cast. Premiering at 11 p.m. ET as part of HGTV’s all-premiere New Year’s Day lineup, the special will showcase Kyle Huntoon, Jackson native, now of Detroit along with 9 other contestants.
Ellen’s Design Challenge, which premieres on Monday, January 18, at 9 p.m., will showcase the competitors as they sketch, design and build innovative furniture to avoid elimination. In a season filled with countless surprises, the finalists will be tasked with such challenges as designing furniture for the greenrooms at The Ellen DeGeneres Show. At the end of the season, the last competitor standing will receive a $100,000 cash prize courtesy of Wayfair.com and see their work featured in HGTV Magazine.
Kyle Huntoon, a fourth generation woodworker, is a furniture designer and business owner in Detroit, Michigan. He says he is inspired by the clean geometric lines of mid-century modern design and loves to incorporate traditional joinery techniques in his works. He uses a variety of American hardwoods in his designs and specifically likes to work with black walnut—his favorite trees from his great-grandparent’s farm.
Kyle grew up in Jackson, graduating from Jackson High School and the University of Michigan. After starting an engineering career at Commonwealth Associates, Kyle turned to his true love of woodworking and furniture making, founding Hunt & Noyer Woodworks. He chose the name as an homage to his grandparents (Huntoon and DesNoyer).
Huntoon joins an ever-growing list of Jackson natives and residents who have competed on reality competition shows. They include JTV’s own Adrien Sharp (Food Network’s “Next Food Network Star”) and Krissy Kerwin (Food Network’s “Chopped’). Most recently, Ed Thayer, “Steampunk Eddie” won GSN’s “Steampunk’d” competition show earlier this year.