A lighting system includes a base structure comprising a transparent or translucent material, a surface covering including a first surface layer, a second surface layer having a first surface facing a second surface of the first surface layer and a second surface facing a first surface of the base structure, and at least one light source disposed to as to illuminate at least a portion of the base structure with light energy such that at least a portion of the light energy passes through the at least a portion of the base structure and into the surface covering, and wherein the surface covering includes a void extending at least partially between the first surface of the first surface layer and the second surface of the second surface layer and configured to allow at least some of the light energy passing through the base structure to pass through the void.