Lighting the way: Danielle Trofe’s fungus-fueled fixtures

I first encountered Danielle Trofe and her brand MushLume Lighting at the Material Matters exhibition at the London Design Festival, and I found myself drawn back to her work, curious about the innovative mycelium lighting emerging from her Brooklyn studio. A few days later, as my trip to New York was coming together, I decided to reach out. Despite the post-festival chaos and packages scattered across her studio, Danielle welcomed me into her sunlit space with a smile that seemed to echo the natural warmth she imbues into her work.

As I entered the studio, I was immediately surrounded by a harmony of soft shapes, illuminated by mycelium light fixtures that adorned every surface. Shelves brimmed with domes in various stages of completion, some awaiting the final touches, while others stood proudly, ready for their new homes. The gentle glow of the lights cast an inviting aura, setting the perfect stage for our conversation about her innovative approach to design.

We sat down and the conversation flowed naturally. I began by asking how her journey into biomaterials began.

“I started my studio, Danielle Trofe Design, back in 2011,” she shared, “initially working with hydroponics, but it wasn’t until 2014 that I stumbled upon mycelium while researching sustainable material alternatives. The moment I learned you could grow objects to shape with a living organism, I knew this was something I had to pursue.”

Her brand, MushLume Lighting, reflects a decade-long collaboration with a biomaterials company that has allowed her to bring mycelium to the forefront of lighting design. In a world increasingly aware of the environmental toll of mass production, Trofe’s work is a breath of fresh air—quite literally.

Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, is a rapidly renewable material that grows by binding agricultural byproducts. It’s known for its strength, fire resistance, and biodegradability, making it an exciting innovation in sustainable design.

I asked about the material itself and how it behaves in a lighting context.

“We use low-heat LED bulbs, which pair perfectly with the fire-resistant properties of mycelium,” she explained. “And yes, we grow everything here in the studio, hand-packing the hemp substrate into molds. It’s incredible to think that within 7-10 days, we have a fully grown, solid structure that becomes the base of our lamps.”

The domes Danielle uses are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they also serve a functional purpose. Their natural curves highlight the interior of each piece, creating a soft and inviting glow. The earth tones—achieved with natural, VOC-free lime wash—lend themselves beautifully to the organic texture of the mycelium.

When I asked about consumer reactions to living organisms being part of their homes, she laughed.

“By the time it reaches them, the lamps are no longer ‘alive.’ We heat and dry the mycelium, rendering it inert, so no one has to worry about mushrooms popping out of their lampshade!” 

The conversation shifted to the challenges of building her own brand.

“It’s been a long journey, to say the least. We became Mushlume Lighting because there was no existing brand that could support this novel material. We had to be the ones to introduce it, to grow it, and to prove that it could be a viable product in the market. It was the only way to make it work,” Danielle reflected, with a mixture of pride and exhaustion.

Danielle has spent the last decade establishing MushLume Lighting in the U.S., but recently her work has begun to reach new audiences in Europe. “We’re celebrating a year in the U.K. and European markets now, and it’s been encouraging to see how well the product is resonating there.” With sustainability becoming central to European design, her approach fits perfectly within the eco-conscious movement gaining traction across the continent.

I couldn’t help but ask what drives her passion for nature and sustainability.

“Nature is everything,” she replied with a quiet intensity. “It’s the balance we all need to strive for in our work and in our lives. Even things we create as humans are part of nature because we’re part of nature. So, why not make our designs more in tune with it?”

She’s been particularly inspired by algae as a potential future material, noting how rapidly renewable it is and how it could eventually replace more resource-heavy materials. Her philosophy on design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a commitment to rethinking our relationship with the planet.

Towards the end of our conversation, Danielle graciously gave me a tour of her studio, showing me the process of filling the molds and watching the domes take shape. It was fascinating to see how the mycelium grows into the forms that will eventually light up homes and spaces across the world. The combination of hands-on craftsmanship and the science behind it was a perfect reflection of Danielle’s thoughtful approach to design.

As we wrapped up, I asked her a more personal question: “If you could have dinner with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be?”

She smiled and paused before answering: “Merlin Sheldrake, Paul Stamets, and Tom Dixon come to mind, but I’d also love to sit with Zaha Hadid and Ray Eames—two incredible women who shaped design in such profound ways. And for someone living, I think Lonneke Gordijn of Drift would bring fascinating insights to the table.”

It was the perfect note to end on—a blend of past inspiration and present innovation, much like Danielle’s work itself. There’s something almost meditative about watching the mycelium take shape—an oddly calming reminder of how much can be achieved by simply letting nature take its course.