I think you misread - he has a 4 FOOT (') fluorescent light.
There are alternatives that could light the room well and keep the energy efficiency of the tube.
These will give the effect of downlights, without the excessive heat and narrow dirty beams (in particular the atom, which has only one lamp). If you google "PL DOWNLIGHTS" you will find other suppliers and other designs. The smallest is the ones where the PL tube is vertical - you see the end of it if you look up into the fitting, as opposed to the side of it.
Look for fittings with electronic ballasts - they are instant start.
However, the best light you can buy for a kitchen is another fluorescent tube fitting.
I'm quite taken by this one:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MLTFL58G.html
Though build up of grease might be an issue in a kitchen - its designed for offices.
Perhaps something like this:
http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_In...hting_Fluorescent_Index/Twin_Flo_1/index.html
Might be better, an enclosed fitting where you can wash the plastic diffuser.
I visited a friends house a few years ago, they had a twin fluorescent fitting in the kitchen, 2 or 3 foot long, and it had a wavy decorative glass diffuser. But I havent found anything like it for sale anywhere.
If you go for fluorescent, make sure its got an electronic or digital ballast.
