Lake area company sheds light on quality homes
Lake Travis View – July 20, 2000
By Ben Niekerk

Texas Light Smith on Hwy. 71 is leading the way back to ornamental antique style lighting in the lake area.

Partners Jim Madigan and John Worsham have forged a mutual appreciation for lighting as Madigan owns Glenville Custom Homes and Worsham is an accomplished artist and designer.

“I got my art degree from UT in 1993.  I studied intaglio print making, which is etching on copper and non-ferrous metal work which includes anything that is not steel.  I got started in 1995 and was on my own by 1996,” said Worsham.

“I had done work for [Madigan’s] clients from my shed in South Austin but it took a couple of years for our business partnership to materialize.  He owns the land and building.”

“I had been trying to get into doing something different,” said Madigan.  “John provided light fixtures for some of my projects.  We felt this location was a proper venue for showing lights and for my business.”

Light Smith uses copper, wrought iron and various other sheet metals.  They do custom chandeliers, vent hoods, fireplaces and lights.

“Copper and “old timey” glass with bubbles are very popular right now,” said Worsham.

Light Smith has done work for director Robert Rodriguez, Bruce Collie from the San Francisco 49’s, the Hays County Court House and an antique depot in Teague, Texas.  They offer 120 standard light fixtures that they can turn around in four to six weeks while custom fixtures may take up to 12 weeks.

Worsham also does work for a sink company called HP Austin.  Light Smith does the fronts on the bowls of the sinks but does not make the sinks themselves.

Worsham and Madigan both have offices in the building at 20808 Hwy. 71 in Spicewood.

Although craftsmanship in Mexico can be as refined as the work done at Light Smith, Worsham warns against the quantity over quality approach a number of Mexican producers use, saying the finish is not as good.  Sometimes they paint on a copper look rather than using actual copper, Worsham said.

Copper is affected by the elements.  Fingerprints from a couple of weeks ago will show up as swirling muted color patterns on a fixture and is very desirable.

Light Smith can be contacted online at www.texaslightsmith.com or at 264-2266.