"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
Downlights have several downsides. - horrid glare when not standing -
patchy shadowy uneven lighting - shining light at a carpet is not a
recipe for energy efficiency. - far more fittings are needed per
lighting job due the unevneness & reduced spread of the light.

A single naked pendant tungsten bulb or CFL should do exactly what you
want, then.

Actually, a bare bulb isn't terrible in that respect. A bit lacking in finesse
perhaps, but the light is OK as long as you don't stare at the bulb. Better
than putting it in a shade that tunnels it to the floor.

One abode had downlighters in a grid all over the kitchen ceiling. The
problem was they weren't aligned with anything, especially not the walls, so
they lit the floor wonderfully, but the sink and work surfaces were in
shadow. They were also wired in three rows - you could either have rows A
and C or row B on (or all three), but the rows were at 90 degrees to most of
the work surfaces. So you had settings of dingy in all the wrong places or
blindingly bright and yet still dingy.

New place has small angled spots on a track, which actually aren't bad
light-wise, if not the prettiest to look at. In need of finding a nice LED
bulb given they probably take 200W per room.

Are there any good flat surface mount ceiling lights? Most of the LED
lights I've seen still want recessing, even though the actual COB LED is a
couple of mm thick. There are some industrial-looking panel lights, but
nothing very attractive.

Theo