Background Gradiant

Hi guys.
As you already know, many objects can have a background color, and be stylized with a gradient. On my install, the specified gradient only goes from lighter colors to the left and darker shades to the right of the object. BUT I think I remember seeing at one point during the UI build the gradient displayed the opposite, lighter shades right and darker shades left.
Was I seeing things? Is that possible? How do you specify that?

Another question, is it possible to have a two-way or four-way gradient?

Thank you.