One end of an elongated flexible strap is connected to a screw base. The strap extends downward through a central opening in a cover and in a reflector. After the screw base is threaded into a socket, a friction ring is pushed upward along the flexible strap, drawing the reflector up and a trim ring tight against the ceiling which surrounds the recessed fixture. The friction ring holds the lamp and reflector upward on the strap, without stretching the strap and without pulling downward on the screw base with a force substantially greater than a weight of the reflector and trim ring. While the friction ring holds the lamp on the strap, a gripper is moved into position beneath the friction ring to permanently support the friction ring. The strap is then clipped below the gripper.