Illuminating Homes for a Century: The Story of Capitol Lighting/1-800 Lighting
As our preferred lighting partner for Project House Austin, Capitol Lighting/1-800LIGHTING.com impressed us in every way. Get to know this fantastic retailer who we are proud to confidently recommend to you!
For over a century, Capitol Lighting — also known as 1‑800LIGHTING.com — has been a shining example of family-driven success in residential and commercial lighting. Founded in 1924 by Austrian‑Hungarian immigrants Max and Ethel Lebersfeld in Newark, NJ, the company began as “Lebersfeld’s Electrical Supply,” offering everything from household appliances to light fixtures
Capitol Lighting/1-800LIGHTING.com was the preferred lighting partner for Project House Austin in Taylor, Texas. From the front entrance to the kitchen pendants, the house glows with warmth.
A Legacy of Craftsmanship & Quality
Max’s early reputation as a master craftsman earnestly set the tone for the business. When he completed a job, he’d tell his customer, “If you can find a floorboard out of place or show me where I have made repairs, the job is free.” As far as we can tell, this was the first “Money Back Guarantee” in American history.
With the next generation, under their son Arthur, the name Capitol Lighting was adopted — symbolizing “the best” — and the business expanded through the Great Depression into a multi-location business across New Jersey and, eventually, South Florida.
As the business grew, so did Arthur’s family. Like their father, sons–Herman and Max–were born into the lighting business. The 3rd generation was in place and Capitol Lighting consumed their days and evenings. Family time was spent in the stores, learning about lighting and focused on the importance of serving the customers with many a dinner conversation sharpening their business skills.
When Arthur thought about retiring, he moved to South Florida. In his “retirement,” he pushed to expand the business, opening the first Florida store in West Palm Beach, followed soon after by Boca Raton. With stores in New Jersey and in South Florida, Capitol Lighting grew to become a top specialty lighting retailer with an international footprint providing lighting to consumers outside of the showroom markets through capitollighting.com/1800lighting.com.
Today: The Fourth Generation Lights the Way
The leadership of the company remains true to their family values with
o Ken Lebersfeld as Chairman of the Board
o Eric Lebersfeld as Vice Chairman of the Board
o Paul Adams as Chief Executive Officer
o Jason Lebersfeld as President -Chief Technical Officer
o Brian Lebersfeld asVice President, Director of Ecommerce
Statement making pendants and charming sconces set the tone in the cozy cottage kitchen of Project House Austin.
A wicker chandelier in the breakfast nook is the perfect final touch to this charming space inside Project House Austin.
A Full-Spectrum Lighting & Décor Portfolio
Capitol Lighting / 1-800Lighting offers a truly diverse selection tailored to every design sensibility and functional need:
Chandeliers & Pendants
Ceiling Fixtures & Semi‑Flush Lighting
Outdoor & Landscape Lighting
Wall Sconces & Vanity Lights
Ceiling Fans & Lamps
Home Décor Accents
The unique lighting in the Project House Austin guest bath is actually an outdoor piece but proves its versatility here.
Capitol Lighting/1-800LIGHTING.com feature many top brands including Visual Comfort and Company, Hinkley, Capital Lighting Fixture Company, Savoy House, Hudson Valley Lighting Group, Kichler, Currey and Company, Quoizel— ensuring premium quality and industry-trending styles.
This stunning pendant illuminates the primary bath suite in Project House Austin.
Capitol Lighting: Strength in Innovation & Service
Powered by People Certified lighting specialists in-store and online provide consumers and trade professionals guidance in every element of illumination, from project planning for optimum illumination through design aesthetic and lighting application. The business’ A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (since 1973) signifies a reputation for integrity and customer satisfaction.
Community and Sustainability Capitol Lighting has contributed over $1M in fixtures and volunteer hours for community projects like Habitat for Humanity. They’ve also earned multiple “Top Workplaces” honors, underscoring their positive internal culture
Wall sconces in the primary bedroom en suite inside Project House Austin light the way with charm and sophistication.
Why Capitol Lighting Shines Bright
Sibling duo, Melissa Olson and Brent Green of Cottage & Key Design Studio were the design/build partners for Project House Austin and have high praise for Capitol Lighting/1-800LIGHTING.com:
“Capitol Lighting/1-800LIGHTING.com truly has everything—it’s a one-stop shop for lighting, which I really appreciated. It saved me time, and it was great to have someone double-checking the order to make sure everything was exact. It made the whole process so much easier”, says Melissa.
“Their team was incredibly helpful and thorough when it came to placing our whole-home lighting order. They double-checked everything, even made sure we had all the right light bulbs—one less thing for us to worry about,” Brent added.
“Ordering lighting for the entire home was by far the easiest part of the project. The turnaround was lightning fast, and every fixture arrived perfectly packaged—nothing damaged, nothing missing.” says Melissa.
A stunning chandelier in the Project House Austin living room is the star that makes the room.
Final Illumination
From its 1924 roots in Newark, NJ, to its 6 gorgeous showrooms and a vibrant online presence, Capitol Lighting/1-800LIGHTING.com continues its legacy -healing homes with light, sustaining communities, and preparing for another century of brilliance. Whether you’re remodeling a foyer, illuminating a patio, or styling a commercial space, Capitol Lighting / 1-800LIGHTING.com offers design possibilities — and service — that truly shine.
Ready to light up your space? Visit 1800Lighting.com or stop into a nearby showroom — and prepare to #LiveBrilliantly.
