Alan I agree with you to some extent.
But the installation in the picture violates NEC rules.
In the US it seems that we must protect people from their own stupid actions, such as trying to change a lamp on a live fixture while taking a bath.
Personally I think this attitude circumvents natural selection and will result in the dumbing down of the general population.
The problem with a a magazine article like this is that the homeowners ask the electrician to replicate the installation and the electrician has to break the news to the homeowner.
410.4(D) Bathtub and Shower Areas. No parts of cord-connected luminaires (fixtures), hanging luminaires (fixtures), lighting track, pendants, or ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans shall be located within a zone measured 900 mm (3 ft) horizontally and 2.5 m (8 ft) vertically from the top of the bathtub rim or shower stall threshold. This zone is all encompassing and includes the zone directly over the tub or shower stall.
Interestingly wall sconces are allowed in the zone by the NEC.
