Patdo Light Studio needed to effectively light the lobby at Bridger Capital Partners without competing with the custom circular fixture at the center of the room or the shimmering skyline beyond the wall of windows. Pinhole downlights offer overall illumination without a hint of glare so visitors can focus on the sophisticated setting.

A private collection of dramatic and oversized artwork in a California residence requires careful lighting choices to enhance the displays. Randall Whitehead Lighting Design chose square, gear-driven downlights because they can be precision-aimed to highlight each piece and also easily adjusted to reflect changes in the collection.

In the lobby of a prominent Georgia based credit union, W. B. Interiors used sleek furnishings and fluted fixtures to create a traditional atmosphere with a modern twist. Square downlights with a zero-sightline installation reflect the geometric shapes of the design aesthetic, while washing the wood walls with uninterrupted light.

A private residence in Texas receives a subtle touch of light to illuminate gravel pathways and guide evening guests to the front door. The choice of concrete curbing is reflected in glowing, modernist bollards tucked among the greenery. Just 3 watts of dimmable, LED light provides a warm gleam that is bright, energy efficient, and without visible hardware.

In an upscale, Chicago steakhouse at the James Hotel, the focus needs to be on the food. Isometrix tucked Series 2000 strip lights into the ceiling and behind the booths to create a golden glow that enhances the eating experience. Meanwhile, pinhole lights add extra illumination that lets the custom murals set the stage for convivial company and put people in the mood for fun.

In the bar at the Cooper Square Hotel in New York City, Focus Lighting makes the most of a slim space by creating a sultry mood. Fixed, round, pinhole downlights offer just enough illumination to highlight the bar, encourage intimate conversation, and entice guests to wander towards the cluster of cozy seats at the back.

The Armani 5th Avenue Restaurant in New York City features high-contrast furniture as neatly tailored as an elegant suit. Lighting consultants Speirs and Major wanted to make the most of this light and dark aesthetic, so they chose gear driven downlights that allow them to maintain the exact orientation of each fixture, even during relamping.

The DL2RZPs selected by Cline Bettridge Bernstein Lighting Design have such strong center beam optics, they don’t suffer from the beam cutoff common to other downlights. In this spare, Lutron showroom in New York City, they can also be adjusted to concentrate just the right amount of light on the display screens on the back wall.

Walls of windows. Mountains meeting the sky. Confident geometry and clean lines in architecture and furniture. To illuminate the drama of this Colorado residence, Witte/Ayotte Lighting Design chose tiny downlights to provide small piercings of light in the ceiling plane, creating a mirror of the stars in the sky outside.

At the Plumed Horse Restaurant in Saratoga, California, organically shaped central chandeliers, curtained walls, and an arched ceiling create a completely unique dining space. H.E. Banks + Associates complemented the look and created an all over glow by adding frosted lenses to the flush trim plate on DL21Z downlights. The stainless steel fixtures add a modern touch and are a non-corroding choice in coastal environments.