I like recessed lighting. Not sure whether it is dated or not :)

Recessed lighting is not really a style statement in and of itself. The goal is to provide light without interfering with the decor. Many were put over islands or peninsulas and having a nice pendent fixture there IS a design statement....ergo, these new adapters that convert the recessed fixture into a pendent without hiring an electrician, drywall repairman and a painter.

Recessed igniting is still used in all rooms, not just kitchens, but for some weird reason the size of light that is now used is smaller. It used to be 6" pot lights, and now its 4". Go figure! If the lighting is over your perimeter cabinets, not your island, do use recessed lighting. Make sure you get the distance from the wall right so you don't end up casting a shadow as you work at the counters.

That's lighting! Although I'm sure igniting would be interesting!

Although there is a size difference of recessed lighting through the years, they tend to be in the background and functions as providing illumination to a room.