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Lighting Vendors We Love — And How They Light Responsibly

September 9, 2025

Design Meets Sustainability: Lighting Brands That Inspire Us

Explore lighting vendors that merge modern design with eco-conscious practices—delivering style, quality, and lasting impact.

Each brand not only sets a high standard for design excellence but also leads the way in environmental responsibility.

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AHT Sustainable 9 Design Build Upton Ave S 094

1. Hennepin Made

Based in Minneapolis, Hennepin Made is an artisan studio crafting hand-blown glass lighting. Their fixtures are designed, welded, blown, and sculpted by a dedicated team of artisans in their local studio, blending ancient craft with contemporary aesthetics. 

Notable collections like Parallel highlight the interplay of lucent and opaque glass with metal bands, while the Bruma collection offers soft, textured sconces with customizable finishes

Focus on sustainability: Hennepin Made is deeply rooted in sustainable practices. As a vertically integrated Minneapolis studio, they manage everything locally—from design and fabrication to finishing—allowing them to address environmental concerns like renewable energy use, waste management, and green space creation right where production happens.

Their "heirloom-quality" design ethos further emphasizes durability and “planned permanence,” pushing back against disposable culture. Their mission is to “build something more sustainable and transformative,” with handcrafted lighting that is made to last.

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2. Visual Comfort & Co.

A premier resource in designer lighting since 1987, Visual Comfort collaborates with top designers to produce distinctive fixtures featuring natural materials and hand-applied living finishes, offering high quality at a competitive value. Their modern collection delivers timeless indoor and outdoor lighting, creatively marrying innovation with curated elegance.

Focus on sustainability: They advocate for high-quality fixtures designed to last longer—reducing waste—and options compatible with energy-efficient LEDs that lower carbon footprints. Their emphasis on low toxicity materials, recyclability, and light pollution mitigation reflects a holistic view of sustainable lighting.

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3. Southern Lights

Located in Minnesota, Southern Lights combines local expertise with an extensive on-site lighting warehouse spanning 25,000 square feet. They offer a vast selection of lighting for homes and businesses, plus personalized consultations and a “Lighting RX” design service to guide your choices. As a family-owned business, they also pride themselves on helping clients find lighting that is both stylish and perfectly suited to their needs.

Focus on sustainability: Southern Lights, engages with the growing market demand for eco-conscious lighting. They offer LED technology, energy-efficient designs, and recyclable materials at affordable price points, helping local customers make sustainable choices without breaking the bank.

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4. Rejuvenation

Founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1977, Rejuvenation began as an architectural salvage and restoration shop. Today, it has grown into a celebrated manufacturer of lighting and hardware—largely still made to order in its Portland factory—and is committed to green manufacturing and sustainability. They offer well-crafted pendants, chandeliers, sconces, and more, combining heritage style with contemporary thinking.

Focus on sustainability: Their green manufacturing takes place in Portland, with energy-efficient production, sustainable materials, and a commitment to supporting livable communities. They also keep legacy alive by curating vintage and antique lighting styles, emphasizing restoration over replacement.

582 Peninsula Pt Road Shakopee 020
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5. Hudson Valley Lighting Group (HVLG)

HVLG is a global leader in decorative and architectural lighting. It encompasses five distinct brands—Hudson Valley Lighting offers a broad spectrum of styles from vintage-inspired to modern sophistication. They support contracts and hospitality projects at any scale, with design collaboration and trade programs that offer real-time stock, support, and exclusive pricing.

Focus on sustainability: HVLG responsibly sources materials, incorporating energy-efficient designs, and minimizing waste in manufacturing. Even infrastructure investments, like building a high-tech rubber roof to lower energy costs by 40%, underscore their eco-conscious strategy.

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6. Modern Forms

Modern Forms, a branch of WAC Lighting, leans into sleek, contemporary design infused with the latest energy-efficient technology. Their 2025 collections feature clean lines, authentic materials, rich textures, and fluid shapes that exude warmth and modern serenity. From indoor to outdoor fixtures—and even smart-enabled fans—they combine form with function beautifully.

Focus on sustainability: Modern Forms is driven by a commitment to sustainable technology. They specialize in advanced LED lighting and efficient ceiling fans, combining clean, modern style with energy-conscious performance. 

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582 Peninsula Pt Road Shakopee 058

7. Lightology

Lightology operates as both a premier retailer and a design partner. Based in Chicago, they offer extensive lighting design services for residential, commercial, hospitality, and institutional spaces. Their lighting consultants—certified by the American Lighting Association and trained in-house—provide expert guidance from concept to installation. Their Chicago showroom is a destination for anyone looking to bring lighting visions to life. 

Focus on sustainability: Lightology curates a “Sustainable Design” collection featuring eco-conscious furniture, lighting, and décor made with responsibly sourced materials and practices. Additionally, they promote energy-saving tips like using LED bulbs, smart controls, dimmers, and task-specific lighting to reduce waste. Lightology also advocates for natural materials and biodegradable packaging in lighting design.

Final Thoughts

Each of these vendors offers a different path toward sustainability—whether through ethical production, thoughtful materials, energy-efficient technology, or embracing design longevity. Collectively, they showcase how the lighting industry is evolving toward more responsible and impactful practices.

At Sustainable 9, we believe lighting is more than just a finishing touch—it’s an essential element of home design that sets the mood, defines the character of each space, and enhances everyday living. Just as importantly, we place great value on sustainability in every project we take on. By partnering with vendors who share this commitment, we ensure that the homes we design not only shine beautifully but also contribute to a healthier, more sustainable future.

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