Hubbardton Forge’s debuts at Lightovation and Las Vegas Market include the Lyric 7-light fixture. Image courtesy of the company.
Ahead of the January markets, Maria Mullen, CEO at Vermont-based lighting manufacturer Hubbardton Forge, spoke to sister pub Designers Today about how the company supports interior designers and what’s on tap in 2026.
Hubbardton Forge will be exhibiting at Lightovation — where it will host a lunch on Jan. 13 at its Dallas Market Center showroom (TM 3503) as part of Design + Build Day — and Las Vegas Market this month.
What trends, materials and/or innovations will you be focusing on in Q1? What product debuts do you have planned for Lightovation?
“In Q1, we’re focused on reimagining classic, traditional lighting forms in fresh, original ways. Metal will always be our core material, and we’re continuing to push new techniques that elevate it into true lighting artwork.
“For Lightovation, we’ll be debuting new introductions inspired by timeless silhouettes — think organic, sculptural statements and refined, classic shapes — reinterpreted to feel current without losing their heritage.”
Are interior designers a focus for your company? If so, how has that evolved and how will you be supporting them in 2026?
“Interior designers remain a very important focus for Hubbardton Forge, and that commitment will only deepen as we head into 2026.
“Designers are key influencers in the market, and many of them understand our craftsmanship and capabilities exceptionally well. They rely on us not just for beautiful lighting, but for our ability to modify and customize — so they can achieve a specific vision for each client and each space. Our role is to make that process easy and dependable, and to be the reliable partner they can count on to deliver.
“This side of the business has grown very organically, and that’s intentional. We stay close to the design community, listen carefully to what they need, and continue to evolve our support around that — while maintaining the quality, flexibility, and service they expect from Hubbardton Forge.”
How will your business strategy change next year, if at all? How are you differentiating your brand from others in the marketplace?
“Our overall strategy won’t fundamentally change next year — because it’s working — but it will continue to sharpen and strengthen. We’ll stay focused on what we do best and keep raising the bar in execution, speed, and consistency.
“We differentiate Hubbardton Forge by delivering a combination that’s genuinely rare in the marketplace: original design, exceptional craftsmanship, and a high level of support and service. Our products are distinct, our capabilities are deep, and our team is built to partner closely with customers — from specification through delivery. In a field where many brands compete on look alone, we stand out by pairing design leadership with reliability and long-term partnership.”
How have tariffs affected your business, and how have you addressed them?
“There’s a common misconception that U.S. manufacturers like Hubbardton Forge aren’t affected by tariffs — but that’s simply not true. Even when products are designed and built domestically, many critical components in lighting, such as certain LED elements, sockets, and electronics, are sourced globally — and in many cases the supply base is concentrated in Southeast Asia.
“As tariff policy and related inflationary pressure have shifted, the biggest challenge has been that it hasn’t been linear or predictable. That has made planning and forecasting more difficult, and it has required meaningful management time to navigate sourcing decisions, vendor changes, and cost variability — on top of the broader cost increases we’re all experiencing.
“In terms of how we’ve addressed it: we’ve worked hard to manage the impact through our supply chain and internal planning.”
How do you balance your lighting showroom business with your interior design business? How does pricing vary for the two?
“At Hubbardton Forge, we view showroom partners and the design community as two essential — and complementary — pillars of the lighting industry. Our approach is built on clarity, fairness, and long-term relationships, so both can thrive together.
“Showrooms are a foundational part of our brand. They represent Hubbardton Forge at a high level — showcasing our work, educating customers and bringing our craftsmanship to life in a way that’s hard to replicate. We honor that partnership through strong price integrity, including our UMAPP structure, and with programs and benefits that are exclusive to showroom partners.
“Designers are also vital to our business, and we support them with the tools and flexibility they need — especially around specification and our modification/customization capabilities—in ways that do not undermine the showroom channel.
“Bottom line: we don’t undercut one valued partner to favor another. We’re committed to consistent pricing, healthy channel differentiation, and dependable partnerships that help both showrooms and designers succeed — together.”
